June 22, 2020
FSU Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
June 22, 2020 (via zoom)
Ex Com Members Present: Steve Striffler; Jessica Holden; Travis Johnston; Caroline Coscia; Jeff Melnick; Monique Fuguet; Tracy Brown; Tim Sieber; Meghan Kallman; Joe Ramsey; Linda Liu
Others Present: Lorenzo Nencioli, FSU Membership Coordinator; Katie D’Urso, MTA Field Rep;
- Approval of the agenda: Motion to approve. Motion seconded. Motion passes unanimously.
- Unexpended RES Funds: Discussion of need for ‘revamped’ RES Funds process. Discussion of possible response to Admin. Agreed that we will push back with Admin re funds with focus on NTT who received non-reappointment notices. Agreed that we will try to craft a more specific counter.
- NTT Pledge re Class Size (contact FSU office for document): Motion to approve motion. Motion seconded. Motion approved unanimously. Linda will send Google doc to Ex Com. Steve will contact DCU.
- FSU Calendar: Discussion of holding a Fall FSU General Assembly meeting and of having a Fall meeting in FSU Calendar. Agreed that Wed 10/7/20, 4-6 there will be FSU General Assembly. Agreed to wait for there to be schedules for Spring 21 before scheduling Spring FSU General Assembly meeting.
- Bargaining Update/General Assembly Approval: Update given on bargaining as well as proposals re NTT who received non-reappointment letters.
- Organizing Plan: Noted that tentative plan is to target CNHS, CM faculty for outreach. Discussion of focus on ‘wellness check’ as ‘hook’ in outreach. Discussion of department reps issue (will be revisited later). Discussion of department visits issue (will be revisited later). Discussion of whether or not to start outreach now or wait until Fall. Travis indicates he can contact Assistant Professors in CM now. Agreed that Ex Com members would take a look at CNHS/CM outreach document, decide if they want to follow up with any members on list. Discussion of bargaining support team (will be discussed further at FSU General Assembly).
- Committees: Discussion of Chancellor meetings and FSU policy on who can attend such meetings. Agreed that Steve will discuss idea of having more FSU reps at Chancellor meeting with incoming Chancellor. Ex Com members should ponder how to make such meetings more productive. Discussion of Labor-Management meetings and how FSU should approach them. Noted that Steve will keep Ex Com updated on L-M meetings, will ponder how to formulate FSU policy going forward.
- Adjournment: Motion to adjourn meeting. Motion seconded. Motion approved unanimously. MEETING ADJOURNED
Pledge to Hold the Line on Class Size
The administration of UMass Boston has announced to over 300 faculty members that they may not be rehired in the Fall semester due to a projected decline in revenue, even though faculty are the core strength of the university. This constitutes a short-term fix which damages the quality and reputation of our university and can only result in a long-term downward spiral. Slashing faculty continues a pattern of austerity that fails our students.
While the non-reappointment letters have gone out, we, the remaining faculty, as well as department chairs, can refuse to accept any increase in class sizes if asked to enroll students above the cap. Holding this line will both maximize the chances that those who have been laid off will be rehired in the fall, as well as maintain the quality of education for our students.
Therefore, we, the undersigned, pledge to resist larger classes and refuse to enroll students above course caps in Fall 2020.