Nuts & Bolts: Welcome to Spring Semester
1/22/2024
Dear Members,
Happy Spring semester! (oddly, I write this in single digit windchills)
I hope you had a relaxing, restful, and productive period of non-responsibility. And for those new to UMB, we welcome you to campus and wish you a positive and productive semester ahead.
Reminder: Deadline for Librarians and NTTs to submit promotion materials
The due date for Librarians to submit promotion materials to your supervisor is Tuesday, January 23rd.
The due date for those seeking promotion to Senior Lecturer, Senior Lecturer II and Senior Lecturer III is Friday, January 26th. Your promotion materials are submitted to your chair. (see here for more)
The FSU is gearing up for a busy semester. Many of our activities and actions include numerous ways for you to get involved.
FSU Executive Committee Meetings: The FSU Executive Committee meetings are open to all FSU members. Meetings are on Tuesdays from 3:30PM to 5:00PM. We meet this semester on the following dates/times: January 30th February 13th and 27th, March 19th, April 2nd, 16th and 30th and May 7th.
FSU Annual Elections: Each Spring semester the FSU hods elections for positions on the Executive Committee. In addition, every other year you elect a president or a vice president. This year the two-year president term is up for election. Watch for emails from the FSU Elections Committee. (see here for more)
Bargaining for our 2024-2027 contract: The Core Bargaining Team (CBT) has been hard at work. Contact negotiation sessions begin after Spring Break. Watch for communications from the CBT email account.
FSU Representation across campus: The FSU represents you on a variety of campus committees. The FSU is an ex officio member of the Faculty Council. In addition, we currently have members serving on the University Dining committee, Website Advisory Committee, Salary Anomaly Committee, and Sick Leave Bank Committee. If you are interested in serving, please do contact us.
Save the date FSU Annual Meeting: Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 23rd.
Each Spring semester the FSU holds an annual meeting to adopt a budget, adopt bylaws and share information with members. Please mark your calendar to join us (time to be determined).
FSU Forums: Many times, we hold a 60-to-90-minute forum on a topic of interest. We are looking to continue to do so this semester. Watch this space for information.
MTA Benefits: Be sure to check out member discounts through MTA Benefits. Use your member ID to set up an account and then see all the discounts (local and nationwide) available. BJs wholesale club membership discount is valid through the end of January. To learn more and for more seasonal offers go to https://www.mtabenefits.com/seasonal-offers.
This is your union, and our ability to shape UMass Boston and public higher education policy depends on collective action and your participation. If you have not yet joined the FSU, we encourage you to do so.
Have a great semester and do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Caroline Coscia
FSU President
Senior Lecturer II
Political Science Department