Minutes from General Membership Meeting 4-1-21

Meeting:           Berklee Faculty Union General Membership Meeting
Date:                April 1, 2021 at 1:00p, via Zoom

Call to order 1:02p.

1. Introduction & format

Will SILVIO welcomed Union members; Andrew SHRYOCK summarized meeting format.

2. Proposed amendment (Link to PDF)

SILVIO distributed proposed amendment to constitution and by-laws, discussed rationale for amendment, and answered questions about cost and terms for comparable organizations. Discussion on term limits followed.

MOTION:         “To accept the proposed amendment that will result in elections once every 3 years rather than once every 2 years by replacing all instances of the word biennial with the word triennial in the Berklee Faculty Union constitution and bylaws – namely, Article 4, Section 1; Article 4, Section 3, and Article 5, Section 2.” (SHRYOCK)
SECOND:         Elizabeth SEITZ
VOTE:              51 yea, 4 nay, 2 abstain; motion carries, amendment is approved.           

Motion to adjourn: SHRYOCK; second: Nicholas URIE; vote: unanimous approval.

Meeting adjourned 1:23p.

Minutes from Union Executive Meeting 3-25-21

Meeting:           Berklee Faculty Union Executive Committee
Date:                March 25, 2021 at 1:00p, via Zoom
In Attendance:  Will Silvio, David Scott, Andrew Shryock, Elizabeth Seitz, Wendy Rolfe, Dennis Cecere, Marti Epstein, Paul Masters, Denise Pons-Leone, Utar Artun, Alicia Bower, Michael Johnson, Nichelle Mungo, Stephanie Reich, Vanessa Morris, Mike Scott

Call to order 1:04p.

1. Minutes

MOTION:         “To approve minutes of the Union Executive Committee meeting on March 11, 2021.” (PONS)
SECOND:         MASTERS
VOTE:              unanimous approval, motion carries

2. Presentation of Audited Financial Statements

SHRYOCK gave presentation on audited financial statements; SEITZ asked about arbitration costs, CECERE asked about accounting method.

3. VALENCIA

SILVIO summarized current state of NLRB case on work outsourced to Valencia faculty.

4. Conservatory Faculty Advisory Committee

EPSTEIN summarized meeting of Conservatory Faculty Advisory Committee with EPSTEIN and MASTERS; discussed Service to the College and Director and Head positions.

EPSTEIN asked about faculty advising during the summer; SILVIO said all faculty members must be paid during summer for all activities.

PONS discussed concerns with Dance Division registration, scheduling, and curriculum.

ROLFE discussed concerns with decision to run 5-week semester on campus.

5. Election

SILVIO discussed upcoming Union Election, including changes to Election Committee personnel.

6. Proposed amendment to constitution and by-laws

SILVIO discussed proposed by-law amendment and rationale for amendment.

Meeting adjourned 1:56p.

Minutes from Union-Management Meeting 3-4-21

Meeting:           Union-Management meeting
Date:                March 4, 2021 at 1:00p, via Zoom
In Attendance:  Will Silvio, David Scott, Andrew Shryock, Elizabeth Seitz, Wendy Rolfe, Prince Charles Alexander, Michael Abraham, Dennis Cecere, Marti Epstein, Paul Masters, Denise Pons-Leone, Utar Artun, Alicia Bower, Michael Johnson, Nichelle Mungo, Stephanie Reich, Nicholas Urie, Vanessa Morris
Andy Vores, Darla Hanley, Matthew Nicholl, Melinda Thomas, Jay Kennedy, Michael Shinn, Mike King, Rachael Denison, Scott Edmiston, Tommy Neblett, 

Call to order 1:10p.

1. Enrollment update

KING summarized enrollment activity: at the College, Fall 2020 marked by 22% decrease in deposits, prompted largely by announcements about hybrid and remote activity. College invested $10 million in student financial support. Ultimately, incoming class comprised 1,000 students, plus 366 at the Conservatory. Continuing student enrollment dropped 9%, which owed largely to international students.

For Fall 2021, applications are on pace to exceed Fall 2019 levels, though not Fall 2020. Domestic applications are up, generally. Current projections, for incoming class – 1,131 COL, 285 CON  – and for continuing students – 2,950 COL, 499 CON continuing.

SILVIO asked for timelines on application, deposit deadlines. KING responded deposit deadline is most significant (May 1).

ROLFE asked about faculty contact with potential students and returning students considering withdrawal; KING responded students prefer to hear from faculty than marketers, and he is working with Performance Division (at College) to identify effective communication approaches for prospective and continuing students. 

SILVIO asked about contingency plans to replace in-person recruiting and audition tours; KING responded that these activities were 100% remote.

SILVIO & SEITZ asked about timelines for decisions about summer and fall teaching modalities (e.g., on-campus, hybrid, and remote learning decisions). KENNEDY responded that decisions haven’t been made.

URIE asked about Covid vaccine requirements. KENNEDY said vaccine mandates are unlikely. 

Meeting adjourned 1:52p.