MSCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
April 25, 2003
Fitchburg State College

Members Present:
J. Ambacher, B. Art, G. Concannon, N. George, P. Hogan, P. Markunas, P. McGee, J. McKeon, F. Minasian, C. O'Donnell, L. Paolillo, G. Price, S. Schlosberg, M. Seider, G. Tetrault, J. Stonehouse, D. Twiss.

Guests Present:
Cathy Boudreau, Priscilla Lyons, Donna Sirutis, Ed Sullivan, Bob Whalen (MTA)

Approval of the Orders of the Day and the Minutes/Visiting Speakers:
The meeting was called to order at 10:17 a.m.

It was moved and seconded to approve the orders of the day.

MTA President Cathy Boudreau and MTA Executive Director Ed Sullivan addressed higher education reorganization and other issues of concern for the higher education membership. Ed Sullivan emphasized MTA's publicity efforts especially in television and radio ads.

Cathy Boudreau spoke to the higher education demonstrations and plans for additional rallies on behalf of our public institutions of higher education.

It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of April 4, 2003. The motion passed.

President's Report:
President Markunas discussed the Special Board Meeting (May 23), the budget (especially the pending amendments which would restore money to the colleges), higher education reorganization, early retirement (no bill yet), the MTA Annual Meeting, and the House Ways and Means proposal to raise employees' health insurance premiums. The President and the Board discussed these issues at some length and also discussed strategies to deal with any legislation which negatively affects the MSCA membership.

It was noted that two-thirds of MSCA's membership will go from 15% to 25% for its share of health insurance premiums if House One is not amended.

Peter Hogan (Fitchburg) was nominated to serve on the Credentials Committee.

It was moved and seconded to go into Executive Session. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to leave Executive Session. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to reopen nominations for delegates to the MTA Annual Meeting with nominations closing on May 5, 2003. The motion passed.

A motion to reconsider the motion to reopen nominations for the MTA Annual Meeting was made and seconded. The motion to reconsider failed.

Vice President's Report:
Vice President Minasian reported on his attendance at the Steering Committee meeting for Higher Education Unions United. The vice president's report was included with the ongoing discussion of reorganization issues.

Treasurer's Report:
It was moved and seconded to provide subsidies for delegates attending the MTA Annual Meeting: a) Delegates attending Friday's meeting will receive a $75 stipend. b) Delegates attending Saturday's meeting will receive a $100 stipend. c) Hotel rooms will be provided for delegates attending both the Friday and Saturday sessions. d) Mileage reimbursement would remain as it was in previous years. The motion passed.

Secretary's Report:
The secretary passed.

MTA/Day Unit Report:
Donna Sirutis discussed the April 18 ERC meeting and contract negotiations. She discussed, at length, memoranda of agreement that modify and/or clarify certain provisions of the CBAs: intellectual property, electronic communications, distance education evaluations, inter-college transfers and electronic filing of grievances.

MTA/DGCE Report:
There was nothing to report at this time.

MTA Director's Report:
Director Paolillo indicated that his report would be delivered at the Delegate Assembly.

Local Chapter Presidents' Reports:
Bridgewater SC: Discussed the rally on 29 April where the college's president will speak.

Fitchburg SC: Discussed its lab problems and the clean up of hazardous materials.

Framingham SC: Discussed fee increases for students and the cancellation of 3 of 4 administrative positions.

Mass. Art: Still debating controversial new relationship with the BHE.

MCLA: Cuts unspecified. $600 fee increase for students. Meeting with faculty at Berkshire CC.

MMA: Discussed plagiarism issues.

Salem SC: Discussed AVP search, fee increases and financial aid for students.

Westfield SC: Discussed $900 increase in student fees and support for public sector unions.

MSCA Committee Reports:
The standing committee chairs delivered short reports, reserving most remarks for the Delegate Assembly.

The meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

Gerald Concannon, Secretary, MSCA