February 5, 2021
FSU Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
February 5, 2021 (via Zoom)
Executive Committee Members Present: Steve Striffler; Caroline Coscia; Tracy Brown; Monique Fuguet; Jessica Holden; Travis Johnston; Meghan Kallman; Linda Liu; José Martínez-Reyes; Jeff Melnick; Joe Ramsey; Tim Sieber
Others Present: Lorenzo Nencioli, FSU Membership Coordinator; Katie D’Urso, MTA Field Rep; Joel Fish; Chris Fung; Jason Rodriquez; Eduardo Siqueira; Heidi Stanish
- Approval of the agenda: Motion to approve the agenda. Motion seconded. Motion passes unanimously.
- Approval of the minutes of the December 18 and January 22 Executive Committee meetings: Motion to approve the minutes of both meetings. Motion seconded. Motion passes unanimously.
- Elections/Nominations: Update on Spring Election cycle. Nomination period open through Friday, February 12.
- MTA Spring Campaign – Cherish Act: Cherish Act bill has been refiled. Bill will be getting a hearing this spring or summer and has a new filing number and more sponsors. MTA Bargaining Summit is February 27.
- Faculty Awards: Discussion of Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching—UMass system award—and campus-based awards for teaching and service. Distribution of teaching awards needs to be more equitable and representative of our faculty, especially NTTs.
- Bargaining Update: Health and Safety bargaining nearly complete. Parking impact bargaining to begin soon. Lot D will close March 1. Bayside will close soon after. Caroline will lead FSU’s parking impact bargaining team. FSU will bargain in coalition with DCU, PSU, CSU, and possibly GEO.
- Mutual Aid: Discussion led by Chris Fung: Concern about job creep and inequality during COVID, especially regarding service. NTT faculty are doing most of the work regarding an antiracist and health promoting university and should be compensated. Discussion of resources provided by the university and impact on faculty retention.
- Forums: Spring forum topics: Faculty expansion of service during COVID; academic freedom in collaboration with Faculty Council and Ester Shapiro; organizing; Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (led by José in March).
- Budget: Update from Monique: Executive Committee members should send ideas and sources of funding to Monique so that this year’s budget aligns with our priorities.
- Exit Interview – Antiracism Initiatives: Update from Tim: Majority (78%) of recent TT departures are faculty of color. Faculty of Color Report advocated for exit interviews when faculty leave the university. Discussion of potential interview questions, who would conduct exit interviews, how departing faculty would be identified, including librarians in exit interviews.
- Workload Survey: Travis will share the workload survey with the Executive Committee. Survey will be conducted via Qualtrics.
MEETING ADJOURNS