Faculty Senate staff: Mary Brantley, staff associate (left) and Brenda Jones, office coordinator. Photo by Thomas Shea

Even if there isn’t a performance or lecture scheduled at the University of Houston’s Cullen Performance Hall, there’s typically a buzz of activity on its third floor.

Here, the Faculty Senate’s two-person staff diligently coordinates meetings, conducts research, compiles reports, documents meeting minutes, balances budgets, disseminates polls, updates handbooks and performs a host of other tasks related to the senate’s daily operations.

Mary Brantley, the senate’s staff associate, and Brenda Jones, office coordinator, have worked together in the Faculty Senate office for almost 20 years. Both agree that there’s rarely been a dull moment.

“It’s never quiet,” Brantley said. “The senate keeps busy, so there’s plenty of activity even during semester breaks.”

Jones has worked at UH since 1977 and has been with the senate since 1981. Brantley, a UH alumna, has worked at UH since 1978 and joined the senate in 1986. Both agree that being a team for so many years has been key to their success in the Faculty Senate office.

“If I am not doing something, I know Brenda has it under control and vice versa,” said Brantley. “We work very well together in that sense. We’re jugglers. We handle a multitude of things.”

Although Brantley and Jones are key behind-the-scenes players, they can always be spotted at the senate’s monthly meetings disseminating agendas and committee reports, as well as counting votes and election ballots. Many senators, however, are typically most familiar with Brantley’s and Jones’ voices, as they are often called to answer senate-oriented questions.

“The questions I hear the most is ‘When does my term start?’ or ‘When is the next meeting?” Jones said. “If someone calls and we don’t have an immediate answer, we’ll track down information. We never want anyone to be left hanging.”

Few callers are left hanging. Brantley and Jones keep extensive records regarding the senate’s activity, so they can retrieve data regarding meetings, membership and other archived information.

Their assistance has not gone unnoticed. Both presidents and senators have shown their gratitude for their efforts. Anne Jacobson, professor of philosophy and electrical and computer engineering and former Faculty Senate president, feels that the Brantley’s and Jones’ combined talents are invaluable to senate presidents.

“Mary carries with her the history of the senate and much of its wisdom,” Jacobson said. “Her advice is always worth very serious consideration. Brenda completes an efficient team that the senate is very fortunate to have and is a source of good sense. She takes care of details seemingly effortlessly.”

As the spring semester approaches and a new president, Allen Warner, professor of education, prepares to assume senate leadership, the tandem of Brantley and Jones are currently busy doing what they do best.

“We’re constantly working,” Brantley said. “Luckily, Brenda and I work well together, so that even during the busiest times, things never get overwhelmingly stressful. We’re a small staff, but we get the job done.”

Mike Emery
Memery@central.uh.edu