Upcoming Events and Information from the FSU

Dear Colleague,

Welcome back to campus for those of you who are returning.  For those of you who are new, welcome to UMass Boston. 

►  Most NTTs who were given notices of reappointment were hired back.  We do not have an exact figure, however.  Four faculty on continuing contracts were given layoff notices effective Fall 17 due to a projected lack of work.

► The unions on campus have organized a rally after convocation (Thursday, September 15th, noon or 12:30ish) protesting the budget cuts and advocating for public higher education at the plaza (rain location:  Campus Center, 3rd floor, 3540).  Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson and MTA President Barbara Madeloni will be speaking. 

• Help us leaflet next week for this event on Monday or Tuesday and at convocation here:  https://goo.gl/forms/HJ2waBRiSYQatbFn1
• Let us know if you or your students can speak for our video on September 15 on the effect of the budget cuts and how it has affected them or you in the classroom. 

►You do not have to populate a Blackboard shell:  The FSU notified the administration that they cannot mandate faculty to populate these as described without negotiating with us. 

► Save our Public Schools: 

• Canvass against expanding the number of charter schools with the No On Proposition 2 Campaign in Boston on September 17, October 15, or November 5 for only two hours (10-12 noon).  Let the FSU know if you can participate on one of these dates.
• Can’t canvas on September 17?  Come to the training conference in Watertown on Saturday, September 17 to learn about Proposition 2 and how to talk about the No on 2 campaign (see here). 

► FSU Meeting: Thursday, September 22, 2 pm, W-6-47 (Crossley Lounge) on the budget cuts, , what we are doing in response, and on Article 21 (to clarify the NTT portion of the contract). 

► DPC/CPC training will be September 29 at 2 pm in the Chancellor’s Conference Room. 

► FSU Teach-In on Public Higher Education:  October 5, 12-2 pm, ISC 3-3300. 

►The FSU will be bargaining this year.  Send us suggestions for any items or issues you would like us to address (a bargaining survey will be sent separately as well).

► The Cost Share for Your Health Premiums Did Not Increase to 25%:  Thanks to all of you who wrote to your legislators. 

► Dues for NTTs who are less than half time:  We heard your concerns and as of this year your dues have been reduced. Special  thanks to the FSU and MTA members who pushed for this change for our lowest paid faculty members!  Contact us for more information (see here for the 16-17 dues rates). 

► A Historic First: Faculty Are Fired and Locked Out at Long Island University Brooklyn https://urpe.wordpress.com/2016/09/06/faculty-are-locked-out-at-liu-brooklyn.  Supporters for the faculty are asked to call (718) 488-1006, which is the number used to recruit replacement faculty, to tell them to end the lockout and bargain in good faith and to send a letter https://actionnetwork.org/letters/end-the-lockout-and-bargain-a-fair-contract-now

Marlene Kim

Faculty Staff Union President, and

Professor

Department of Economics

University of Massachusetts Boston