Nuts & Bolts: Upcoming events, FSU Elections, Do you have a federal grant, NEA higher ed webinar, Canvas and MTA Benefits

2/10/2025

FSU Calendar February 10th to 14th    

What to do if ICE comes to campus? Wednesday, February 12th 12:00-1:30PM, CC 3540 

Join this community conversation led by Professor Andrew Leong.   Please join us for the conversation and stop by the UDC at 11:30 to grab a slice of pizza.  Details on the attached flyer. Sponsored by FSU and CIT.

Contract Bargaining Session, Wednesday, February 12th 9:45AM to 11:45AM  

Join your core bargaining team as an expanded team member.  We bargain every Wednesday so if you cannot join us this week, there are future Wednesday sessions (look for an email today from the team with more details).

Dear Faculty and Librarians,

February is Black History Month. Originated in 1926 as Black History Week it was expanded in 1976 to a full month to celebrate and recognize the achievements of Black Americans.   This year’s theme is African Americans and Labor.  The Smithsonian has a webpage with history and arts/culture resources plus podcasts.  The Smithsonian Women’s History Museum contains materials on the role of Black Women in voting rights.

FSU Annual Elections

Nominations are open until 4PM on February 21st.  For more information go to www.fsu.umb.edu. 

Is your research supported with federal funding?  

The recent executive order freezing federal grant funding resulted in confusion and raises questions what the future holds for grant recipients.  On February 6th, MTA higher education leaders called an emergency meeting for members to share how the funding precarity affects you, your colleagues, and your institution? What demands can we make of people in power? And, most importantly, how can we fight back?   Over 95 members from the community colleges, state universities and the UMass campuses attended.

The next meeting is February 20th 8:30 – 9:30AM to discuss strategies including actions plans to use the collective power of all campuses.  Do consider joining the meeting to share, to learn and be part of fighting to stop the attacks on higher education research.

Please email the FSU so that we can include you in emails and meeting notifications impacting grant funding.

NEA Webinar: Immigration Issues in Higher Education Thursday, Feb 13th 6PM-7PM EST. 

The webinar is tailored specifically for colleges and universities, providing critical guidance on navigating immigration issues unique to higher education settings. Register at secure.ngpvan.com/ngFLMWWOTUSj4xtPVpJROg2?ms=hels       

All Union Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, February 18th 12:00-1PM

Recent federal government actions threaten our communities, our students and research funding. Join an emergency all-union town hall Tuesday February 18 at UDC.

Please mark your calendar.  Additional details forthcoming.  

SAVE THE DATE: MTA Higher Ed Conference is March 1 at the DCU Center in Worcester 

Make plans to participate in the MTA's biannual conference for higher education members. The free daylong program includes a panel discussion with higher ed leaders from around the country sharing strategies and successes around their fights for strong contracts, workshops on living wage campaigns, legislation, academic freedom, federal funding issues and professional development.   For more details and registration go to Register here.

MTA Benefits: CVS Gift Card

MTA Benefits winter giveaway is a $100 CVS Gift card. Enter for a chance to win one of three cards.  Entries accepted Feb 10th to 17th.  To enter go to https://www.mtabenefits.com/giveaways-tickets/giveaways

Nuts & Bolt will not publish on February 17th in honor of President’s Day (university holiday).  

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                                 

FSU President                                   

Senior Lecturer II                               

Political Science Department