Present: Ash, Barker, Brewer, Brigham, Danai, Gross, Levine, McDermott, Misra, Phillis, Schmalzer, Smethurst

Staff: Gallagher, Reardon, Wulkan

Also Attending: Max Page              

Absent: Adams (on leave), Banach, Brandt, Domier, Luce, McGinty,  Paynter, Phillips,  

1.            Approval of Minutes of February 17, 2010

                Approved unanimously

2.            Announcements

                a) Resignation of President Wilson: Randy and Max were quoted in the press about the lack of enough faculty and the shifting of financial aid costs from the state to the University.

                b) Randy testified at the Ways and Means Committee hearing on campus about the need for better funding for public higher education including the contracts.

3.            Presentation and Discussion with Max Page

a) Max Page is running for the higher ed seat on the 6 person MTA Executive Committee.  The election takes place at MTA’s annual meeting, with only elected delegates able to vote.  Max described his goals: make the MTA more proactive, more activist, leading campaigns, with a strong program for the higher ed division.  He sees his role as speaking for higher ed and leading the MTA in an activist direction.  He holds his opponent, Donnie McGee from Bristol Community College, in very high regard. 

 b) Max hopes MSP will elect a full slate of delegates to attend annual meeting, vote in this election and in the contested election for MTA president, and participate in the discussion about the Governor election.  The meeting is May 7-8, with the main business, higher ed caucus, and voting taking place Saturday, May 8.

 c) Max sits on MTA’s Revenue Committee.  The move to have MTA initiate a campaign for the state to raise more revenue in a progressive manner started at MSP.  The Taskforce finished its work last August, the Board adopted its recommendations, and the committee is moving ahead with a campaign.  Short term, it will focus on repealing certain exemptions as proposed by the Governor and returning the dividend and interest rate back to 12%.  The longer-term goal is for a growing coalition to campaign for a reinstatement of the income tax rate to 5.95%, with higher exemptions so low-income people would see no increase.  There will be a broad-based educational campaign among MTA members in the context of a coalition campaign.

4.            Contract Campaign

                After a review of the history, Randy explained recent developments:

                 a) Randy spoke with Secretary of Education Paul Reville about the dichotomy between the governor’s support for higher education in his budget proposal and the concessions he is seeking from the higher ed unions.

                 b) At the request of the higher ed union leaders, MTA is developing talking points and a campaign plan.  We will get lists and will be setting up meetings with legislators.

                 c) PHENOM is rallying at the State House Monday, March 8.

5.            MSP Officers and Board

                 Many seats will be vacant at the end of this academic year.  Nominations are open and Board members were encouraged to suggest candidates.  It was noted that lots of scientists participated at the last membership meeting.

6.            College and Department Reorganization

                 Legal Studies and Labor Studies are likely merging into larger departments.  The Board was concerned that

o   The unique properties of smaller departments could be lost

o   Reorganization was happening by decree

o   Members attend and speak at the Faculty Senate meeting which has an advisory role

o   Members attend the Town Hall meetings about the proposed SBS-HFA merger