Nuts & Bolts: Cherish, University Dining, Tabling, West Garage and the UAW
9/18/2023
Dear Member,
This issue of Nuts & Bolts contains a variety of topics.
Thank you…….
Thank you to all who attended the UMass Boston Stands Up for the Cherish Act. FSU Member CR Elliott, Librarian, spoke eloquently on the deficiencies of our library and how this impacts students, staff, and faculty. Thank you, CR!
Thank you to all who are attending today’s State House Cherish Act hearing. The FSU submitted testimony pressing the need for more funding to support our students and fairer wages for faculty and staff. If you are unable to attend today’s hearing, you may watch the live stream at https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/4677 . We expect the committee to get to the bill about 10:30AM.
University Dining is back, well halfway there.
FSU joined many of you (big thank you to Maria Brinker) in seeking a re-opening of University Dining, Campus Center, 2nd floor. We are pleased to say that the facility is now open Monday to Friday 11:30AM to 2:00PM but without direct food service. You can bring food. To use the space, just show your Beacon Card.
September 20th: Visit the FSU at University Dining
Want to learn more about what we do? Have a contract question? What are my MTA benefits? Please stop by and chat with us on Wednesday. September 20th 11:30 – 12:30.
September 25th to 29th:FSU Table around campus
Watch for the FSU table around campus including the ISC, McCormack, Wheatley, and University Dining. The schedule will be posted here on September 25th.
West Garage Parking: Option when no spaces available
Sometimes late in the morning the West Garage gets close to being filled. If you do not want to drive to every level to locate a spot, you can use Lot D. We want you to know that your parking pass also works in Lot D. The lot does accept credit cards but not cash. Lot D is an on-campus lot, so the rates are the same as the West Garage.
West Garage Parking: Crossing University Drive West
We have heard from many concerns about crossing the roadway to get to Quinn. Concerns include drivers ignoring the flashing lights and speeding though, drivers begin driving while you are still in the crosswalk, and the flashing light is not working. We are following up on these concerns.
We do ask you to please press the walk button when crossing.
Promotion to Senior Lecturer III: Materials submission agreement
We are pleased to announce that for those submitting January 2024 promotion materials for Senior Lecturer III, the memorandum of agreement has been extended for another year. Our intent is to codify this language for inclusion into our contract at our next contract bargaining.
The memorandum lays out what promotion materials need to be submitted along with information for the DPC and CPCs.
Union Tidbit: Graduate Student Unions and the UAW
Some might be aware that our Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) is part of the United Auto Workers (UAW). In fact, most graduate student unions are part of UAW.
Harold Meyerson in the American Prospect wrote about how this came about. https://prospect.org/labor/how-did-those-uc-grad-students-become-auto-workers/
To our Jewish colleagues, we wish you a good holy day and easy fast.
Sincerely,
Caroline Coscia
FSU President
Senior Lecturer II
Political Science Department