Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

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Present – Rich Grudzinski, Teodros Kiros, Jeff Perry, David Scott, and Jackson Schultz.

  1. Rich made a motion to accept the minutes from the previous meeting. David seconded and the vote was unanimous to accept the minutes.
     
  2. There are several MOU sub committees meeting today and we do not have a quorum.
     
  3. We discussed the college’s new Life Insurance plan for spouses and dependents.
     
  4. Liberal Arts may have a change in policy regarding teaching hours next academic year – once we get information we can act.
     
  5. Jackson discussed his MOU meeting regarding the EthicsPoint Hotline.
     
  6. We discussed the “more than a job” campaign for the Berklee Fund.
     
  7. Survey of what to do with the old caf space was sent out in Faculty Staff news. Please fill out the survey!

Union notes from Union / Management Meeting

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

Management – Larry Simpson, Jay Kennedy, Bill Whitney, Kari Juusela, Matt Marvuglio, Darla Hanley, Jeanine Cowan, Phil Lima, Chris Connors, Camille Colatosti, Carin Nurenburg, Nikki Kirk and Steve Taddonio.

  1. Larry opened the meeting. We have opened 160 but we still have space challenges. We will continue to look at all the space available at the college.
     
  2. Full Time Faculty with Defined Benefit Plans and Survivor Benefit Considerations, Phil Lima. We need to raise awareness regarding faculty involved in the program that pass before retirement. Surviving spouse? If no, no benefit payable. If yes, and 55, then a reduced annuity will be paid to the spouse. The challenge is to make sure this information is available to all faculty.
     
  3. Part Time Faculty-Group A Medical Deductions, Phil Lima. A few part-time faculty members are not making enough to pay for their health insurance, due to their larger rates for double and family plans. HR and Payroll are looking at other options for payment.
     
  4. Berklee Emergency Guide app, Steve Taddonio made a presentation on the app and the use here at Berklee. We need to connect with all students including our visually impaired students.
     
  5. Just to put on the radar – crossing Mass Ave. is an issue; let’s think about options.

Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

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February 27, 2014

Present – Michael Abraham, Prince Charles Alexander, Dennis Cecere, Beth Denisch, Wendy Rolfe, Jackson Schultz, David Scott, Peter Cokkinias, Will Silvio.

  1. Jackson opened the meeting by discussing the AFT National and Local conventions.  National is in Baltimore April 11-13.  AFT MA is in Quincy May 2-3.
     
  2. Jackson made a motion to accept the minute as amended, Peter seconded, and the vote was unanimous.
     
  3. Jackson went over his ideas for edits on the Faculty Vision Statement that will be presented to Roger.  One of the main changes is to make the statement infer that what is good for Faculty is good for the students is good for the institution.  Also, it should not sound like bargaining.  The faculty should be treated like the leaders in the industry that the college claims it is.  The committee went over each section while Wendy typed the edits in the Vision document. 

    Wendy and Beth can work on the statement in the coming days and will email it to the committee when it is complete.

    David would like to see more mention of students in the statement; i.e.: ample space to meet with students to help meet their needs.