Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

Present – Marti Epstein, Jonathan Holland, Wendy Rolfe, Jackson Schultz, Michael Abraham, Will Silvio, Beth Denisch, Peter Cokkinias, Teodros Kiros, David Scott, Rich Grudzinski, Danny Harrington, Prince Charles Alexander, 

1. Jackson opened the meeting discussing online courses.  It has come to the Union’s attention that the college plans on using existing Berkleemusic online courses for Berklee College of Music online degrees.  Online courses are the same as writing a textbook that has a royalty attached.  No one in academe has addressed this particular topic.  We need to find a specialist in virtual intellectual property.  We should have a discussion with academic affairs on this topic.  Jackson asked if the college should be offering online classes at all?  This will be a topic for the next Union/Management meeting.  Please come up with questions to ask management to answer in the next meeting.  
    
2. We discussed getting in touch with the Board of Trustees to discuss what is going on at the college and we may want to contact Lee Berk to get his impression. We should set a deadline to contact the board before the upcoming bargain.  
    
3. We had a short discussion of the Masters program.  

Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

Present –Michael Abraham, Prince Charles Alexander, Dennis Cecere, Peter Cokkinias, Beth Denisch, Rich Grudzinski, Danny Harrington, Teodros Kiros, Jeff Perry, Wendy Rolfe, Jackson Schultz, David Scott, Will Silvio. 

1. Danny made a motion to accept the minutes from the previous meeting. Peter seconded and the vote was unanimous to accept the minutes.
    
2. Jackson updated us on a recent grievance regarding an unsatisfactory performance review. The chair has not followed the contract protocol; the faculty member was not evaluated on teaching, advising, and service, only on his teaching. We are considering taking this to arbitration. We discussed faculty evaluation procedures throughout the college and the fact that each department is handling them differently. 
    
3. We discussed the information request for sabbaticals for the past 10 years.
    
4. Beth, Rich, and Danny are going to the conference in San Diego.
    
5. Chris Connors has requested volunteers for the sexual harassment training throughout the college. Danny, Beth, Dennis, Peter, and Wendy are interested in participating.
    
6. We discussed inappropriate behavior by students in class and the procedures to communicate through Angela Davis and Larry Bethune. We will discuss at the next Union/Management meeting.
    
7. Department Reps – we need additional reps in Film Scoring, Liberal Arts, Guitar Department, MP&E, EPD, Percussion, Music Therapy, Voice Department, and Professional Music. We want to schedule a meeting for the 28th.
    
8. At the next meeting we will discuss the master’s program and the NEASC self study.

Union notes from Union / Management Meeting

Present – Michael Abraham, Prince Charles Alexander, Dennis Cecere, Peggy Codding, Peter Cokkinias, Beth Denisch, Marti Epstein, Danny Harrington, Jonathan Holland, Teodros Kiros, Jeff Perry, Wendy Rolfe, David Scott, Jackson Schultz, and Will Silvio.  

Management – Larry Simpson, Kari Juusela, Jay Kennedy, Matt Marvuglio, Darla Hanley, Chris Connors, Camille Colatosti, Maria Bradley.

1. Larry opened the meeting. Bill Whitney mentioned that the UEC could have a tour of the 160 building. We will set that up.
    
2. Chris Connors – Sexual harassment training at Berklee. It’s also training and protecting the faculty so they don’t put themselves in an awkward position. The Union’s position is we would like to avoid the outside consultant approach. Perhaps we can get senior faculty involved to make a presentation. Title 9 – we are obligated to report an incident if we see it. It is very important to educate everyone at the college about all facets of this issue. The UEC will nominate members to be involved in the planning and discussions as we move forward. We could also look at gender discrimination at the college at the same time. The track record is clear – if there is evidence management will act.
    
3. Changes in building security – all doors are locked with additional security guards posted throughout the college. The reaction has been overwhelmingly supportive. As we move forward, we are going to continue from 8am-8pm the buildings will be open but IDs will be necessary, all buildings will be card access only after 8pm. 
    
4. Snow storm – Menino has declared a State of Emergency, should we close? We discussed all the options.
    
5. NEASC Accreditation Site Visit March 3-6, Camille Colatosti passed out self-study documents and visitation dates. There are 11 standards that we are judged on by NEASC. The self-study covers all the standards and we will be re-accredited. NEASC uses peer-review and Camille has participated in peer reviews at other institutions. We discussed the meeting schedule for the visiting team: Monday, March 4, at 4 pm in DFRH is a meeting open to all faculty, Tuesday 1-2 pm is a meeting with the UEC, and Wednesday 11 am in DFRH is the exit report.
    
6. Part-time to full-time conversions process, the letter went out to all faculty Feb. 1, faculty must apply by March 15 and the selections will be made by Sr.VP/Provost and the Academic Deans. Procedure – the chairs write a list of the strongest candidates – then the chairs and deans get together to discuss all the applicants, then the deans bring that list to the meeting to make the final decisions. Needs of the college and the division is a big component – service assignments are key – each department has a different number of FT, not all departments need additional FT faculty. This is a very difficult decision for all involved; over 100 people apply for 12 positions.