Union notes from Union / Management Meeting

Present – Prince Charles Alexander, Rick Applin, Charles Cassara, Peggy Codding, Beth Denisch, Marti Epstein, Danny Harrington, Jeff Perry, Wendy Rolfe, Jackson Schultz, Mike Scott, Will Silvio.  

Management – Larry Simpson, Jay Kennedy, Kari Juusela, Phil Lima, Matt Marvuglio, John Eldert, Darla Hanley

1. Larry opened the meeting.  We have a lot to get through today, so let’s get to it.
    
2. Health Insurance Options – Phil Lima, we currently have two PPO options, one has 27 people, we will be shutting that one down. There will be two options for those 27 individuals, either stay with a PPO with better coverage for the same price or switch to the HMO for a cheaper price. PPO I is no longer a standard plan for BCBS, the real meaningful choice is PPO vs. HMO, there are only 27 people enrolled, and the coverage is better for PPO II. There will be extra time for people to choose HMO or PPO (4 full weeks) and we will have counseling available for those 27 individuals (Thorbahn).
    
3. Wage Renegotiation Process, Mike covered the new process. Every three years, no more than, promotion within the three years will be an additional opportunity, then the three year cycle will begin again. Letter or e-mail to the chair by March 15, the chair is the designee, the chair and dean will sit together, then the SVP of AA will meet with the Deans.
    
4. Student Evaluations (Mike), the numbers are lower than when we did hard copy versions. What can we do to increase the response? Jay – we are thinking of options, maybe even going back to hard copy. There is no prefect way to do this, we are working on options, we want a higher rate of return. Larry, let’s put a small group together to look at this issue, with recommendations.
    
5. Snow closings (Larry) – this is a tough call, we have already missed 2.5 days early in the semester. There is no requirement for faculty to make these classes up, but you can make them up – we are looking to make more class space available 8-10 pm and on the weekends. 
    
6. Next time, Faculty Office Space and On-line Course Development and Delivery.

Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

Present – Rick Applin, Charles Cassara, Peggy Codding, Peter Cokkinias, Marti Epstein, Rich Grudzinski, Danny Harrington, Michael Heyman, Jeff Perry, Diane Richardson, Wendy Rolfe, Jackson Schultz, Mike Scott, Will Silvio.  

1. Jeff made a motion to accept the minutes from the previous meeting as amended and update the website. Rick seconded and the vote was unanimous to accept the minutes.
    
2. The sexual harassment case regarding a faculty member and student has concluded with the faculty member no longer at the college. It was in house with no arbitration; the faculty member was on a one-year contract and received payment for the spring schedule. The issue is, the accusation cannot be the verdict, there needs to be more proof.
    
3. We discussed the sexual harassment policy throughout the college and recent BTOT comments by our leadership. We will draft a letter and send to management. Rick made a motion and Michael seconded and the vote was unanimous to send a letter from the UEC.
    
4. The AFT Conference has been moved to Philadelphia from Chicago. Thursday – Sunday, March 31-April 3. We would like to invite Jeff J. and his wife to accompany us, Jackson made a motion and Rich seconded and the vote was unanimous to invite Jeff J. and his wife.