Jason Koski/University Photography

David Skorton chats with CIT employees Shelley Ruth and Greg Busby following his address in Statler Auditorium, Sept. 25.

Just call him "David."

In his first full address to Cornell staff in Statler Hall Sept. 25, President David Skorton let it be known that he is accessible -- on a first-name basis -- to the ideas and concerns of all university staff.

"One of the five priorities I listed for the university [in my inaugural speech] is our relationship with each other -- the staff and I," Skorton said. "I look at you as colleagues."

In an unscripted address leavened with humor, Skorton said: "It's too easy to get up in front of people and give a speech. It's the follow-through and the interaction that we have when there are problems and difficulties that will define whether we really have a good relationship or not."

Skorton pledged to keep employee relations moving in a positive direction in three ways:

First, by listening -- and he asked that employees match his willingness to hear them out by speaking up and coming forward with ideas, either through formal offices or by contacting him directly.

Secondly, he said: "I pledge to you never to promise that I'll do something that I don't have the confidence that I can do. So I will be cautious in my responses to your good ideas and concerns and also to your support."

Third, and just as important, Skorton said he will be "very direct and plain about how we can do things better" in addressing employee relations.

To make good on his efforts, the president said he has been working with Mary Opperman, vice president for human resources, to learn as much as he can about the university's compensation and benefits programs and diversity efforts, among other vital areas. He also said he has established regular meetings with Donna Goss, Employee Assembly chair, as well as other members of that and other employee groups.

Skorton congratulated the staff on Cornell being named one of the top 100 best employers for parents by Working Mother magazine. He also seized the moment to take a couple of lighthearted jabs at Cornell's Ivy League rival Harvard University, the only other university named in the top 100.

"The thing is, I never even heard of that other university until I read The Ithaca Journal today," he said to a gust of laughter. "But I understand it's a start-up university. … they don't have a president right now, but I'm sure we can help them come along to be the kind of solid place that Cornell is."

Having had a little fun, Skorton conceded that after 10 months of studying the university he is still "green" and still needs to "fill in all of the details of the whole picture" at Cornell.

"Our interaction with each other as human beings is the kind of detail that I'm talking about," he said. "So if you see me walking across campus, stop me, say hello. I'm much more comfortable if you call me David -- the VPs have to call me 'Your Immenseness' … but please just take 30 seconds or a minute to introduce yourself to me. It's very important that I get to know as many of you as possible so when there's an issue, we know each other just a little bit as humans and we can work these things through together."

Skorton's comments were generally well received.

"Inclusiveness is one of the president's strongest leadership traits," said Andri Goncarovs, an Employee Assembly member. "He clearly understands the importance of employee voice and participation in key university issues and process."

Also at the event, Opperman was appointed to the Employee Assembly honor roll, and Goss presented her with a plaque for her outstanding contributions on behalf of Cornell employees. Pat Mahoney, an Employee Assembly representative from the Geneva Agricultural Experiment Station, presented Skorton with a hand truck laden with wines, fruits, jellies and decorative squash.