Meeting minutes: March 10, 2008
Meeting highlights: Bargaining; Threats of Violence; Student Negotiations
Meeting date: 03/10/2008 MSP EXECUTIVE BOARD TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2008
Present:
Banach, Brandt, Brewer, Brigham, Clawson, Danai,
Lawrence,
Lovett, Page, Paynter, Phillis Staff: Gallagher, Reardon, Wulkan
Approved unanimously
a) MTA Executive Director A search is currently underway to replace Ed Sullivan. There are 43 applicants. Max has been arguing for a more open process, one where the list of finalists is made public and Board members can provide input. b) Chancellor Search The pool is now focusing on a limited set of candidate, all of whom have accepted the offer to be interviewed. On April 11 the Search Committee will pick 3 finalists. c) Bargaining The Computer Replacement Fund, originally $100,000, has been expanded to pay for computers for the 179 people who either have no university-owned computer, or have one that is more than 3 years old. We had proposed that the $100,000 we put in from the 0.3% would be matched by the administration. They originally said no, but have now effectively agreed. Startup Funds. We have argued that equipment be paid from a central capital fund. These are long-term investments that would be owned by the campus. The administration now understands this. 250 Plan. We are now discussing number of searches rather than number of faculty hires. We have proposed a guarantee of an average of 125 searches per year for the next 3 years which would likely result in an approximate net gain of 50 faculty per year. [There were 86 searches authorized last year and 105 this year.] Schedule. We aim to end local negotiations by April 1 (2 more sessions) before returning to the main (2 campus) table.
There will be free buses from this campus and the campus administration will be encouraging students to go. Some faculty might be able to bring whole classes.
A very good slate of students won, including Lindsay McCluskey, former PHENOM intern, who will be the Student Trustee.
Following last fall’s student strike, student leaders negotiated with the campus administration once a week for several months. The gains they made were impressive; they have been acting very much like a union: strike-negotiations-ratification vote. The students were impressed with Chancellor Cole.
The officers recommended that MSP endorse this legislation, and the Board voted unanimously to do so. There was discussion about how modest this legislation is, how passionate students are about it, and how MSP ought to consider additional steps. Sylvia and Randy will discuss this further and contact the new SGA officers to propose a meeting to discuss further steps we could take.
The Governor has expressed support but has not yet issued an executive order. MSP will participate in a call-in day to the Governor’s Office March 20.
Members have lots of unanswered questions. There is a task force that has had its first meeting and MSP Is following up to find out what is being discussed and being put in place. Some departments have set up their own phone trees and protocols. The Board decided that MSP would send a formal letter to the administration to get information and input into new protocols and procedures. MSP will also raise this at the next meeting with the Chancellor.
The Board reviewed a chart to better understand the job security and non-reappointment provisions, as well as the meaning of “just cause”. The administration is proposing delaying the “just cause” standard for non-reappointment from 2 years to 6 years. The Board discussed possible responses. |
