Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

Present – Prince Charles Alexander, Michael Abraham, Dennis Cecere, Peggy Codding, Peter Cokkinias, Beth Denisch, Marti Epstein, Rich Grudzinski, Jonathan Holland, Jeff Perry, Wendy Rolfe, David Scott, Jeri Sykes, and Will Silvio.

1. Rich made a motion to accept the minutes from the previous meeting. Peggy seconded and the vote was unanimous to accept the minutes.
    
2. Jackson had a meeting Tuesday with Larry, Mike Magee, Cindy Link, and Jim Ricciuti regarding an initiative to increase faculty participation in donating to the college. It does not have to be a high dollar amount; it can be $1, when potential donors see a high percentage of faculty contributing to the college it makes it more desirable for them to contribute. Larry wanted to put out a joint letter from both management and the union supporting this new initiative, but the union will not get involved, this is like politics, we have never solicited faculty to vote a certain way, our faculty can think for themselves. Jackson suggested getting the faculty that are currently contributing to the college to connect with faculty not the union. The next union/management meeting will be focused on the MOU study groups and at the end Larry will make a presentation on this new initiative. Perhaps we can get the admin to match faculty gifts or the opposite – don’t give a penny. Morale is an issue at the college already; this can make things a lot worse! We need to communicate that soliciting money from us while not paying part-timers for a Union MOU meeting sends mixed signals. If they want us to give, we need to see where the money is going – ear marks for faculty improvements. Can they tell us what percentage of the capital campaign is going towards faculty issues?
    
3. Management will not pay the PT faculty for our MOU study group meeting during BTOT, since this was not a sanctioned meeting of the MOU study groups, so the union will pay. Jeff will cut checks for all part-timers that attended that meeting.
    
4. Roger would like to attend the union/management meeting in March to discuss the 2025 Vision; it would be a great opportunity to present the Union’s Vision for 2025. Let’s get feedback from our colleagues before the meeting. Perhaps a letter to all faculty – David Scott volunteered to cull the information that comes in, (Zoomerang or Google Docs). Maybe use the department reps to make an announcement about the survey in each department meeting. Use Beth and Wendy’s as a model – send out by Feb. 13 with one week to respond – we work with for a week – then we can present on March 5. E-mail Beth and Wendy with additional ideas.

Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

Present – Prince Charles Alexander, Michael Abraham, Dennis Cecere, Peter Cokkinias, Beth Denisch, Marti Epstein, Rich Grudzinski, Jonathan Holland,Jeff Perry, Wendy Rolfe, Jackson Schultz, Jeri Sykes, and Will Silvio. 

1. Danny made a motion to accept the minutes from the previous meeting. Rich seconded and the vote was unanimous to accept the minutes.
    
2. We have cards for Roger Brown and Danny that we will sign and send out.
    
3. Contracts are in and printed. They will be distributed through the chairs next week.
    
4. NEASC report, Larry will send the letter and report that the college has received very soon.
    
5. Conversions – we have four this year. The process will change for this year. They are going to treat this as a job opening with specific criteria that fit the needs of the college. They are going to announce the criteria first before the conversion process begins to let the faculty know what the positions are with the qualifications needed. Overall, this should be more transparent.
    
6. We discussed the letter that was sent to Roger, Larry, and the Board of Trustees from a recent graduate about ways in which Berklee can be improved.
    
7. We discussed visually impaired students and the problems that we face as faculty trying to mainstream them with no support from administration. Also, piano skills across the college for non-piano players.
    
8. AFT-MA is looking for topics from faculty about recent issues facing us for their newsletter, opinion pieces, anything relating to your field. Any interested parties should contact the Union Office.
    
9. Recent closure for snow should have actually been Tuesday night in addition to Wednesday. The Governor called for people to leave the city at 3:00 pm, Berklee should follow suit.
    
10. MOU groups – chairs have been elected, very good notes should be taken during the meetings to really keep topics in focus with updates during our EC meetings. Members of the MOU groups that are not on the EC should come next week and the Union/Faculty members of the MOU groups will meet for the last 20 minutes.

Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

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

1. Marti made a motion to accept the minutes from the previous meeting. Beth seconded and the vote was unanimous to accept the minutes.
    
2. Thursday January 16th is the new faculty orientation from 12-1 in the Steve Heck. Jonathan, Jeff, Beth, and Jackson will attend.
    
3. The EthicsPoint Hotline has been used for a faculty member and a comment made in class. Jackson will meet with the dean and faculty member next week. This procedure is not working in a positive way. EthicsPoint is a whistle blower website for embezzling funds and financial issues, not for comments made in class. The MOU group will try and address this issue.
    
4. We discussed the MOU study groups. Grad Studies: Beth, Peggy, Marti, and Rick Dimuzzio (if available). On-Line: Prince Charles, Dennis, Michael, and Ross Bresler (if available). Health: Wendy, Peter, Jeannie Gagne, and Bob Lada (if both available). EthicsPoint: Jackson, Jonathan, and Teodros. Sexual Harassment: Jeri Sykes, Sally Blazar, and Omar Thomas (if both available).
    
5. Student evaluations: it is highly inappropriate for management to solicit us to get our students to fill out the evaluations. It is not our responsibility and we will address it with management. At other institutions they won’t release grades until the evaluations are completed, perhaps we can do something like this. If there are small numbers of evaluations it should not be held against us during faculty reviews.
    
6. Top down management has lead to a general fear and paranoia amongst faculty. Jackson has mentioned this to Larry and also the fact of the UEC or designees meeting with the Trustees.
    
7. We discussed the NEASC report and when we will see the final version. The college objected to the concept of needing more faculty involvement in decisions – they think it’s the Union’s fault and it will not happen as long as the Union is in place. This, of course, is NOT the case. We support faculty involvement and are looking for it.
    
8. Vision 2025 – over the break we will work on ideas and formulate a comprehensive statement at the beginning of the spring semester.
    
9. We discussed a parking spot for the President and having the union provide it. Peter made a motion to provide a parking spot for the president of the union, Marti seconded, and the vote was 10 in favor and 1 against. The motion passed and the Union will begin to provide it next semester.