Present: Adams, Brewer, Brigham, Domier, Gross, Levine, Luce, McGinty, Paynter, Phillis, Schmalzer, Smethurst,

Staff: Reardon, Wulkan                

Absent: Ash, Banach, Barker, Brandt, Danai, Gubrium, McDermott, Misra, Phillips,

1.         Minutes of Past Meetings

            May 27 – approved unanimously

            September 9 – approved unanimously

2.         Optional Retirement Plan legislation

            4 MSP members joined faculty from other public colleges in testifying at the State House on behalf of legislation that would allow a one-time buy-back into SERS for ORP members.  Many MSP members have expressed strong interest in this, and Board members discussed the various reasons why this is worthy of MSP’s support. 

            There is concern that it may not be reported out of the Public Service Committee until other pension reform issues have been addressed.

3.         Political Outreach Committee

            This new MSP committee met for the first time September 16 and discussed different ways that faculty could contribute to the pursuit of a political agenda in our members’ interests.  This could involve advocacy on behalf of legislation, but could also tap into faculty members’ unique perspectives and talents such as research and writing.  The committee meets again October 14 and all members are welcome.

4.         Board of Trustees Meeting

            The next BOT meeting is 9/30 on our campus.  Randy has 3 minutes to address the Trustees and he asked MSP Board members for suggestions of what to discuss.  Suggestions included:

            Contract funding

            Invite Trustees to see the campus and visit classes

            Trustees should advocate for keeping this a public university

            See the University as a real place with real people, not just a brand

            Diversion of operating funds into capital

            How privatization is inefficient and harmful for the local economy

            How decreased size of the faculty makes it harder to attract graduate students

            The state’s plan for use of stimulus funds

            The administration should work with us and see our power as helpful to their efforts

5.         Campus Budget

            A spread sheet from the Budget Planning Taskforce was distributed.  It appears to show a $25 million surplus for FY 2010 because of the availability of federal stimulus funds.  In addition, PHENOM’s complain to the Obama administration about Massachusetts’ misuse of stimulus funds is at least partly responsible for an additional $53.7 million that will be available to public higher education (about ¼ of that for this campus).  It was noted that the spreadsheet shows FY 2010 as the first year when students have paid more for the operation of the university than the state.

6.         Gen Ed

            The Faculty Senate voted in the proposed changes to Gen. Ed.  Randy explained how he has argued that the only way to make this work well is for students to get an enriched experience, for faculty to take on additional responsibility, and for the administration to recognize and reward the increased faculty effort.  While administration spokespeople have come close to agreeing with this, there is still deep skepticism that these will be the outcomes.  Board members shared stories that made it clear that much will be determined at the department level.  MSP has initiated a demand for impact bargaining.

7.         MSP Audit Issues

            a) Non-Collectibles.

            Each year there are some dues/agency fees that we expect not to collect despite our best efforts.  They are primarily from adjuncts.  A listing was distributed and, upon recommendation by the officers, approved by the Board (unanimous with 1 abstention).

            b) Permissibility of MSP’s Support for PHENOM

            Each year, PHENOM calculates what portion of its expenditures should be considered permissible (i.e. chargeable to agency fee payers).  An explanation was distributed and, upon recommendation by the officers, approved by the Board (unanimous with 1 abstention).