Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

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

1. Peter made a motion to accept the minutes as amended from the previous meetings. Marti seconded and the vote was unanimous to accept the minutes.
    
2. We discussed the impact that student evaluations have on faculty. The process of student evaluations and chair reviews need to be looked at. What about a peer review as a part of the process? We discussed other faculty / chair situations that are currently ongoing.
    
3. Grad bargaining meeting – April 24 at 3 pm is the next session. On-line component, orientation on-campus, there are a lot of unanswered questions.
    
4. We discussed the MOU study group reports. Most are done but all will be done by the end of this semester. EthicsPoint Hotline was discussed at length.
    
5. Nominating committee has been established: Haidee Lorree, Rebecca Cline, Dennis LeClaire, Scott Fessler, and Scott Free. Jackson spoke with AAA today. NLRB has not approved on-line voting so we will be having the standard paper ballets. The election will be April 28-30.
    
6. ACI update – sending a letter out after spring break to set up meeting to discuss the course and recent changes to the curriculum.
    
7. Beth, Danny, and Wendy are going to the AFT conference in Orlando.
    
8. We discussed the sick leave policy and the new law.
    
9. The website and our FaceBook page will be discussed upon our return from break.

Union notes from Union / Management Meeting

Present – Michael Abraham, Dennis Cecere, Peggy Codding, Peter Cokkinias, Beth Denisch, Marti Epstein, Danny Harrington, Teodros Kiros, Jeff Perry, Wendy Rolfe, Jackson Schultz. 

Management – Larry Simpson, Jay Kennedy, Mac Hisey, Kari Juusela, Darla Hanley, Jeanine Cowan, Chris Connors, Camille Colatosti, Nikki Kirk.

1. Larry opened the meeting. Berk days and snow closing are the issue of the day. 4.5 days lost due to closings. Make-up classes and Google hangouts solved some issues but the Berk days should solve the issues moving forward.

UEC: Parking during snow was a major issue. Parking garage? Reserving space in local garages? The MBTA was a nightmare, etc. When the college decides to shut down the notice should go out immediately, don’t wait until 9 pm.

UEC: Conflicting information about classes – using electronic means to get classes caught up. Now with Berk days there is extra time in some classes and shorter amount in Thursday classes.

UEC: Overcrowding is an issue with creating make-up classes.

Larry: With Berk days all faculty are paid when the schedule is changed – when Thursday becomes Monday; etc – both days are paid – Thursday and Monday classes have already been paid.

UEC: Popular garages around Berklee list could be sent out to faculty, a reminder about the Wage Works pre-tax paid parking. These things sent out to faculty will help with communication.

Larry: the problem with this semester is the amount of snow days in such a short amount of time. We don’t come to the decision to close lightly. Mayor, Boston Public, all things are considered before we close. It is hard to take the weather on the TV seriously sometimes since they are trying to insight fear with their broadcast. We have to make the decision based on what is going to happen – not what the TV thinks will happen. A team makes the call. The parking issues affect us all. When we are closed, we are closed – you are not required to work, either electronically or in person. Let me ask, “do we need these Berk days to make up the material.”

UEC: NO – we can get the material covered. Some classes need to be in class – technology courses need to be in class and working.

UEC: What about Saturday make-up classes? Have several Saturdays that are optional for faculty – rooms open on a first come first serve basis.

Larry: what I’m hearing is that the faculty can make-up the material.

Jay: We are going to come up with guidance – what are the expectations on both sides. Prepared ahead of time – in case of snow these are the expectations from the students and faculty … classroom information.

Mac: I’ll look into the parking scenario with the Christian Science garage and see what we can come up with. Aramark people were here and taking care of the students, sleeping on cots, etc.

Jackson: the Berk days are serving a purpose this semester but communicating about part-time getting paid and that they are not being penalized if they can’t make it would be a very good thing.

2. We discussed reappointment and salary negotiations.

Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting

Present – Michael Abraham, Prince Charles Alexander, Dennis Cecere, Peggy Codding, Beth Denisch, Marti Epstein, Rich Grudzinski, Danny Harrington, Jonathan Holland, Teodros Kiros, Jeff Perry, Wendy Rolfe, Jackson Schultz, Will Silvio and Jeri Sykes. Guest – Susan Rogers

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. Union elections – we discussed dates and times for the upcoming election. Nominating meeting 4/2 (Monday schedule), Faculty notification to accept or decline by 4/9, final list out to faculty 4/14, elections, 4/28-4/30. AAA will handle the election.
    
3. Jackson has a meeting with Jay Kennedy today; “Berk Days” will be on the agenda. There are many scenarios of faculty making up days prior to the schedule changes with Google Hangouts, etc.
    
4. Beth and Susan met with Dean of Grad Programs yesterday. Many questions were answered regarding the Grad Program. The Grad Program will start on-line in fall of 2015 and will morph into a completely on-campus program at some point in 2016 or 2017. We discussed some of the details of the Grad Program but we still have many questions that hopefully will be answered soon.
    
5. ACI – full list. 75% are PT in fall, 90% in spring. The decision to incorporate the advising into the class and not add additional office hours seems to be financial as opposed to pedagogical.