FSU Nuts & Bolts: Facilities requests, RES Fund, Cherish Act and Board of Trustee Policies
1/29/2024
Dear Members,
As I write this issue of Nuts & Bolts, I am looking out the window and seeing rain, sleet, and snow. Of course, I have dreams of a snow day, but I do not think so. Please do make sure you are registered to receive campus alerts and be familiar with campus closure policies.
FSU Executive Committee Meeting
The first meeting of the semester is Tuesday, January 30th 3:30 to 5:00PM in zoom.
Office and classroom conditions
Some of you raised concerns, specifically in Wheatley, that your office and classrooms were cold last week. Please do submit a work request (https://www.umb.edu/facilities/request-services/) or email facilities of the problem. When FSU reaches out to facilities with member concerns, having submitted complaints assists us in solving your concern.
Research and Educational Support Fund (RES Funds)
Article 26.6.1 of our contract contains an RES funding pool. This past October an email was sent to you from Thomas Miller informing you of your funds. Please do remember to submit your receipt(s) for reimbursement.
Do you live in Boston?
The Cherish Act (information here and here) is a bill before the Massachusetts State Legislature to invest in public higher education. MTA and higher education unions have been taking actions such as testimony at a public hearing in hopes to get the bill passed.
One action is the MTA and UMB unions are working to have the Boston City Council adopt a resolution supporting Cherish (resolution attached) . We hope to get councilors to vote this week or at the next council meeting. There are two district councilors who have indicated support.
If you live in District One (East Boston, Charlestown, and the North End), please contact Councilor Gabriela ‘Gigi’ Coletta and tell her you support the Cherish Act resolution. Gigi is a UMB Political Science graduate!
If you live in District Seven (Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway, and part of the South End), please contact Councilor Tania Fernandes-Anderson and tell her you support the Cherish Act resolution.
The FSU thanks member Peggy Walsh for her work in gaining support from At Large Councilor Erin Murphy.
Board of Trustee Policies
In addition to the Red Book, we are also bound by Board of Trustee policies. They can be found at https://www.umassp.edu/bot/policies
MTA Benefits:
The next giveaway is a $100 Stop and Shop gift card (there will be three winners). The contest is open February 5th to 12th. To enter, go to https://www.mtabenefits.com/giveaways-tickets/giveaways
Sincerely,
Caroline Coscia
FSU President
Senior Lecturer II
Political Science Department
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