Worcester Chapter MSCA Chapter Meeting
12/4/08 Minutes
1) The meeting was called to order at 2:35 in the Faculty Lounge.
2) The minutes of the November 6 were approved as submitted.
3) The Treasurer’s report was submitted and approved. Marshall Kotzen explained the big expense
of a new computer for the union office.
4) Anne Falke made several announcements and led discussion on several items in her President’s
report including:
a. The Holiday Lunch will be held on December 11, 2008 in the Faculty Lounge.
b. The Fall 2008 FYS student surveys requires that students identify by name and section
causing potential conflicts where faculty could be identified and potentially evaluated
and student opinions might not be confidential. Several remedies were suggested from
cutting off the names of students on the surveys to completely invalidating the surveys
as the result of possible bias that might influence the results given the non- anonymous
surveys. It was agreed that names should not be required for future surveys.
c. Anne reported that online course caps would increase from 20 to 25 for the Fall 2009
semester. Spirited discussion ensured where it was reported that every other state
college has limits of between 15-20 for course maximums and that writing intensive
courses demand much more interaction online than in class classes. Discussion also
ensued on how course minima and maxima were determined given that no language in
the contract mentions a specific number of students. Frank Minasian made a motion for
the faculty to suspend offering online courses beginning in Fall 2009 if the cap is raised.
The faculty voted and agreed with the motion unanimously. As well, Anne stated that
she would talk to Donna Sirutis, the MSCA lawyer, and after she did, Donna suggested
this was a change in work conditions and thus bargainable and thus grievable.
d. In a side note to the student numerical limits, a discussion of EWC’s, independent
studies, and internships ensued. Anne clarified that faculty were not supposed to offer
IN or IS courses if they were on a mandatory course reduction due to EWC’s but that
case by case exceptions were possible due to the hardship of students. More discussion
is necessary.
5) Committee reports
a. Dan Shartin asked for help in examining the WSC MSCA union chapter constitution.
Bruce Cohen and Frank Minansian agreed to help Dan.
b. Discussion of harassment claims suggested that WSC has no set policy for filing
harassment claims and Edna Spencer seems to be the centralized contact for such
claims but the claims are not pursued in any organized manner. A call for faculty
volunteers will be made by Anne for anyone willing to serve on a committee
investigating such a policy. In a similar vein, Anne announced that Lori Dawson was
setting up a workplace violence committee to investigate the formation of a committee
to institute a workplace violence policy. Volunteers are needed.
6) New Business
a. Frank Minasian announced that he heard on radio station WBUR that the governor was
suspending collective bargaining. A short discussion on bargaining ensued and it was
agreed that we would invite CJ O’Donnell (MSCA President), Donna Sirutis (MSCA Legal
consultant), and Dan Shartin to discuss bargaining further at an upcoming meeting.
b. Maureen Power brought up the issue of fan noise. There was no resolution and it was
suggested that anytime we have a problem with the noise that we contact Sandy Olson
and to remind Pres. Ashley of the continuing problem.
c. Discussion of parking suggested that there are times when faculty/librarians are unable
to find available parking, mostly at mid day. It was suggested, without many volunteers,
that we perform a parking survey to gauge at what times the lot is full and when there
are plenty of openings. Anne reiterated that those with F stickers could use the
commuter spaces if needed, but not the garage. A suggestion was made to ask chairs to
survey faculty to see when members are on campus, but this likely will not solve the
problem.
7) The meeting adjourned at 4:10 pm.