Present: Ash, Barker, Brewer, Gross, Levine, McDermott, McGinty, Misra, Phillips, Phillis, Smethurst

Staff: Gallagher, Reardon, Wulkan

Absent: Adams (on leave), Banach, Brandt, Brigham, Danai, Domier, Luce, McGinty,  Paynter, Schmalzer,

1.         Announcements

a) Amherst Override passed.  Lessons: a huge effort paid off, but it shows why we need statewide tax reform.

b) A Partner Hire Policy was just announced.  Costs shared equally among the two departments and the Provost.

c) Upcoming Events

            March 24 Worklife Study Presentation

March 27 Northampton meeting with Governor, legislative leaders

            April 14   Nancy Folbre Book Party benefit for PHENOM

            April 16   MSP Membership Lunch

2.         Approval of Minutes of March 3, 2010

            Approved unanimously

3.         Contract Funding Campaign

            MSP and other MTA unions have set up meetings with key legislators to be attended by constituents.  Joe, Allen and Ferd attended the meeting with Senator Rosenberg.  He said he would fight for the contracts to be funded in the Senate if funding passes the House, although he warned that the university budget would probably be reduced by an amount similar to the cost of the contracts.  There was also discussion about whether we would be better off if the contracts were always funded out of the university budget.  Randy said he would talk to the Chancellor about joint advocacy for the contracts. 

4.         Continuous Employment for Full Time Lecturers

            Following a meeting with lecturers, MSP is having discussions with the administration about eliminating contracts for lecturers who have just cause protection.  They already have the expectation of continuous employment unless their work is no longer to be performed or will be performed by tenure system faculty.  Lecturers had some concerns but were generally supportive.  The administration has presented a proposal which looks promising.  There will be another MSP meeting with lecturers soon.

5.         Gen. Ed. Bargaining

            Dan Clawson, Jenny Spencer and Randy Phillis represented MSP  at a first session with the administration.  Our goal is to maintain resources to departments.  Discussions will continue.

6.         1^st Year Seminars

            The administration is adamant that $2,000 in research funds is the only acceptable method of compensation.  The MSP has been arguing that there should also be options for additional compensation or compensatory relief from other teaching obligations.  MSP is not opposed to the goal of increasing student contact with tenure system faculty.

7.         MSP Elections

            We are still recruiting members to run for Board and Officer seats, as well as delegates to the MTA Annual Meeting.  Randy is willing to consider co-presidenting with someone else.  MSP has done this in the past and it has worked well.

8.         MSP Grant Program

            The officers are proposing funding grants to MSP members who propose projects that further the mission of the MSP.  There would be a review committee and a process to ensure accountability.  The goal is to announce this to the membership this spring and begin taking applications immediately.