Area Representative (AR) Spotlight – Erica Schmittdiel
By John Resotko, Communication Committee Member
What is your job title? Advocacy Coordinator
What area of campus (this refers to the area rep info on the APA website, like, East, South, North, etc.) building and department do you work in? I work for MSU Safe Place, the relationship violence and stalking program on campus, serving students, staff, faculty, and their partners. We serve the greater Lansing community as staffing and shelter space allow. We offer telephone consultations, advocacy, counseling, support group, a crisis chat, and shelter. People do not have to stay in shelter to receive services. We have a confidential location for safety purposes.
How long have you been at MSU? 22 years
How long have you been an Area Representative? I have been an AR in training since March. I’ll be eligible to be appointed an AR officially in September.
Why is being a member of the Union important to you and what value does it bring? There are many ways the Union looks out for members, such as providing webinars on gripes vs. grievances, how to ask for a raise, or preparing for performance evaluations. They offer one-on-one consultations to members who are struggling with workplace issues. Most importantly, the stellar health care we receive because of the Union’s negotiations saved me thousands of dollars in medical bills when I had a serious health concern a few years ago.
What words of advice do you have for the new hires at MSU? Pay your Union dues. It is worth it. If you have the time, volunteer for the Union as well. There are numerous ways to get involved.
What do you love about working at MSU? The support that MSU has provided to MSU Safe Place since we were founded in 1994. There is no other college or university campus in the nation that has a comprehensive program like ours.
What do you like to do when you are not at work? Now that it’s summer, I enjoy going to the farmer’s market, outdoor concerts, and grilling.
What kind of music do you listen to? I like many different types of music, including classic rock, pretty much anything from New Orleans, 80’s pop, 90’s rap and hip hop, and funk. I love listening online to WWOZ out of New Orleans and WXPN out of Philadelphia.
The AR’s are appointed by the Executive Board and their role is to assist with distributing APA materials and information and to serve as a resource for members. AR’s are assigned to a geographic area of campus, so if there is not an AR in your immediate building, you can find one nearby. For a list of AR’s go to http://lay.wyz.mybluehost.me/about/area-representatives