Nuts & Bolts: Upcoming events, FSU Objections to IT Acceptable Use Policy, MTA Retirement session, International faculty gathering, repeal status of WEP and GPO and MTA benefits

11/18/2024

FSU Calendar November 18th to November 22nd

Tuesday, November 19th 11:45- 1:30PM 

Stop by the University Dining Club for some coffee, tea, cookies and conversation. 

Wednesday, November 20th Contract Bargaining Session 3:00-4:30PM

Join your core bargaining team as an expanded team member in CC 3 – 3540.  We are expecting the Administration to provide a global/total response to all our proposals. (contact the FSU office or the Core Bargaining Team for registration information).

Dear Members,

For those teaching early morning classes, be aware that red line service from Harvard to Broadway station will be suspended November 17th to 24th for rail work. Shuttle buses will replace the trains. For more information see https://www.mbta.com/diversions/red-line-closure-travel-options

FSU objections to the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy

Below is an email sent by myself and FSU Vice President Sana Haroon to the administration regarding concerns, many raised by you, of the IT Acceptable Use Policy.

From: Faculty Staff Union <FSU@umb.edu>

Sent: Friday, November 15, 2024 3:47 PM

Subject: FSU objections to the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy

Joseph Berger, Provost,

Marie Bowen, Vice Chancellor, Human Resources

Mickey Gallagher, Executive Director, Labor And Employee Relations

Wil Khouri, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Security Officer

Raymond Lefebvre, Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer

Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, Chancellor

The FSU has examined the UMass Boston Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy (IT AUP), most recently signed into effect in May 2024, in response to multiple complaints from our members and the need to complete this year’s data security training, and by extension agree to the IT policy, by December 18,2024.

The IT AUP applies to personal devices giving the administration the right to monitor and inspect our personal devices if they have been connected to University networks or used for University business. All faculty, staff, and librarians must use personal devices for 2-factor authentication. NTTs under 50% are not supplied with University devices and regularly must use personal devices for teaching and communicating with students. And with the increasing turn to remote modalities of work, all University faculty, staff, and librarians find themselves sometimes using personal devices to respond to students’ and colleagues’ emails, to prep lectures, and to join meetings via Zoom. We therefore consider this point of the policy outrageous and reject it outright, and demand that any references to University rights over employees’ personal devices be expunged.

Furthermore, the IT policy lacks clarity about acceptable personal uses of, and employees’ rights as users of, University technology and servers. The policy allows for some personal uses but Faculty, staff and librarians are prohibited from deleting emails and data and may not use University devices for “personal convenience.” We ask the Administration to clarify acceptable personal uses of University technology so that we may review the implications of this aspect of the policy for our members.

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                              Sana Haroon

Senior Lecturer II                            Professor

Political Science Department          History Department

President                                        Vice President    

We will keep you posted of any response received.

Last call! Retirement Review Session 

MTA retirement specialist Ed McCourt is here to help you navigate the retirement process from determining the best time to retire and including options on retiree health insurance.

Ed’s last individual virtual member session this semester is November 20th.  You must book an appointment.  See here for details, including how to book an appointment.

Save the Date: International Faculty Gathering, December 3rd 3:30 to 5:00PM

Join fellow faculty to gather and discuss issues related to international faculty.

We’re halfway there!  Windfall Elimination Provision & Government Pension Offset Repeal

For the past year we have been informing you about the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and how this impacts member households where a member’s work history includes contributing to social security and a government pension. WEP and GPO reduce your social security benefit if you receive a government pension. You paid into social security yet cannot receive your fully earned benefits.

This week the US House of Representatives voted 326 to 75 to repeal WEP and GPO.  The next step is the US Senate.  Over 60 senators have signed to support the repeal.  Senate action needs to be taken before Congress adjourns next month.

MTA benefits: View Boston at Prudential Center

Looking for an end of year family or friend activity?  View Boston is a 360-degree view from the top floor of the Prudential Tower.   Your MTA membership gets you 25% off standard and all-inclusive tickets with promo code MTABENEFITS.

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                                 

FSU President                                   

Senior Lecturer II                               

Political Science Department