Save the date!

Effective 7/1/11 the calendar year maximum for the dental program has been increased to $1,200.  The increased maximum will apply to all services provided on or after 7/1/11.  Also effective July 1, 2011, coverage for dental implants has been added to the Type C services.

A proposal to establish a College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences was submitted to the Faculty Senate and presented by the Provost at the January 20, 2011 meeting.  This proposal was drafted following meetings with a Provostial Committee made up of ten department chairs in CSBS and CHFA.  Committee members were asked for their review and reaction to the draft they received but they were not asked to vote on or otherwise ratify it.

Recently the MSP surveyed its bargaining unit membership to gauge support around the administration's proposal to merge the colleges of Humanities and Fine Arts and Social & Behaviorial Sciences.  Results which are now posted show an overwhelming lack of support for the Provost's proposal not only from members within the affected colleges but from those outside them as well.

In the past two weeks, MSP hosted a survey of its membership concerning the performance of Chancellor Holub.  The questions posed were taken directly from the Chancellor Evaluation committee's email asking the MSP to participate in the review.  Many have asked about the results which are now available.

The results of the MSP vote on the administration’s Exceptional Merit Proposal are in and the set of agreements was approved by the membership by a vote of 453 in favor (60.5%) and 295 opposed (39.5%).

- Ballotbin email comes from rphillis@bio.umass.edu, not from Ballotbin

- check your email date queue: dated yesterday 05-18-11 although may not have arrived until today

- email subject is MSP VOTE Exceptional Merit

The MSP has received final language from the administration on their proposal to grant exceptional merit awards.  The MSP Board submits the set of proposals to the membership for a binding vote, with a mixed recommendation.  The Board vote was split very nearly into even thirds, recommending approval, recommending against approval and recommending a vote, but without recommendation.  The final agreement depends on the results of this vote by the full MSP membership.

Failure to take action could have negative consequences on your health care coverage.  This year's health insurance enrollment process is different than in the past.

We have a unique chance to increase state revenue in a significant way.  The Act to Invest in Our Communities is under consideration right now in the state legislature.  It would restore the income tax rate to its previous level, and raise the rate on dividends and interest, while adding exemptions for lower-income families.  It effectively makes our “flat tax” much more progressive.