Salem Chapter Newsletter President's Message - Amy Everitt November 10, 2008

It was an exciting Election Day! Regardless of your party affiliation or candidate of choice, the privilege of expressing our opinions through voting is priceless. And, vote we did - with record turnouts in Massachusetts and across the country. As you know, the MSCA and MTA launched a very strong campaign in response to Question #1. Thanks to everyone who worked to protect our state resources!

Now that the election is over we can refocus all of our energy on contract negotiations. At this point there has been no progress and I hope to have some updates for you at the November 20th Chapter meeting. We have two bargaining sessions scheduled prior to that meeting. There have been some questions regarding the administration of student evaluations. Based on language in the 2004-2007 agreement, student evaluations WILL be conducted. I will provide a more detailed explanation regarding student evaluations at the Chapter Meeting. Please contact me directly by phone with any questions.

There are preliminary plans to demonstrate at the November 21st Board of Higher Education meeting in Fitchburg. The Salem Chapter will finance a bus for this event if we have enough interest. Watch for an e-mail with details in the near future.

Finally, remember that your application for professional development is due to the Academic Affairs Office by December 31st. At this time, approximately half of the eligible faculty and librarians have requested their funding. Get your forms in now!! Look forward to see you at our up-coming events and enjoy the beautiful fall season.

It is evaluation season and people are receiving evaluations from their Chairs and Provost/Academic Vice President. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the content of your evaluation, please contact Amy Everitt or Maggie Vaughan immediately.

There is a very short window of opportunity to respond to these evaluations, so please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail or phone.

aeveritt@salemstate.edu
mvaughan@chebeague.net
Chapter Office x6366

Meetings and Parties
Mark your calendars! Holiday Party Thursday, December 11, 2008 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Capt.'s Waterfront Grill 94 Wharf Street Pickering Wharf, Salem, MA Invitations will be sent out shortly.

Chapter Meeting Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Vet's Hall, Ellison Center North Campus

Executive Committee Meetings Open to all unit members. · Tuesday, November 18th 3:30 p.m. MH-303, North Campus · Tuesday, December 2nd 12:30 p.m. O'Keefe Center, Room 129

Committee Vacancies Nominations are being solicited for the following committees:

Non-Contract Committees Two-year terms 2008-2010 Full-time faculty

ADA/Section 504 Task Force
One (1) Vacancy

Center for Teaching Innovation (CTI)
Advisory NOTE: One-year term 2008-2009 - Part-time faculty
Three (3) Vacancies
(1) Division of Continuing Education
(1) Graduate School
(1) Council of Teaching & Learning

Graduate Research
Two (2) Vacancies
(1) School of Business
(1) Schools of Human Services

MSCA/Salem Chapter Committees Two-year appointments 2008-2010 Full-time & Part-time members

Constitution & Bylaws
Two (2) Vacancies

Election Committee
One (1) Vacancy

Nomination Committee
Two (2) Vacancies

If you are interested in serving on any of these committees, please contact Mary Buckley at x6920 or via e-mail: mbuckley@salemstate.edu. Please include your name, dept. and the committee name.

E-mail Address/Change of Address
New members that would like to be included in our e-mail system or any member that has recently moved, should contact our office to make the necessary changes.
Please call x 6920 or send an e-mail to: mbuckley@salemstate.edu.
Please note that only "salemstate.edu" addresses can be used for MSCA e-mail transmissions.