Massachusetts State College Association
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
October 4, 2002
Worcester State College

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

Guests Present: P. Lyons, D. Sirutis and B. Whalen (MTA Consultants); S. Tocco (BHE Chair) and J. Gill (Chancellor) (after 2:30 pm)

Approval of the Orders of the Day:
The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m.
It was moved and seconded to approve the orders of the day. The motion passed.
It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the September 6, 2002, meeting. The motion passed.

President's Report:
President Markunas discussed committee appointments, the governor's race, the meeting with S. Tocco and J. Gill, the Advising Task Force, contract funding for higher education, the MSCA archives and communications.

It was moved and seconded to approve the MSCA committee appointments as submitted. The motion passed. (See attached list).

It was moved and seconded to have the MSCA Board endorse the O'Brien/Gabrieli ticket for Governor and Lt. Governor. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to have the MSCA Board oppose Question #1 on the November ballot. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to have the MSCA Board oppose Question #2 on the November ballot. The motion passed.

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.

Vice President's Report:
The Vice President discussed Article XI enforcement issues. The Article XI process needs to be expedited. The Vice President also discussed his appointment to the MTA Governmental Relations Council, his campus visits with Donna Sirutis, and, at the request of the MSCA president, his intention to represent the MSCA at an October 7, 2002, MCAD hearing.

Treasurer's Report:
The Treasurer discussed monthly expenses and the AAA bill for conducting the MSCA election.
It was moved and seconded to reaffirm the MSCA policy that indexes mileage reimbursement to the IRS rate.
It was moved and seconded to amend the main motion to make any mileage reimbursement changes retroactive to July 1, 2002. The amendment failed.
The main motion was called and was passed.

MSCA Committee Reports:
Day Bargaining: B. Art reported on changes in working conditions since the funding crisis. He also spoke to the delay in the merit money payout. There is a problem with calculating the pool until all salary adjustments are made.
DGCE Bargaining: D. Twiss yielded his time. Grievance Committee: F. Minasian reviewed the grievance situation and a particularly successful arbitration.
Salary Database: C. J. O'Donnell reviewed the latest data on salaries for faculty and librarians.
Health and Welfare: D. Twiss indicated that the Met-Life booklets on our supplemental coverages will be out in a week.
MTA Report: D. Sirutis reviewed the jointly agreed upon policy on handling anonymous complaints.

Local Chapter Presidents' Reports:
The local chapter presidents reported on activities affecting their campuses with special emphasis on budget related matters.

Tocco-Gill Meeting:
The meeting focused on the FY 2003 budget crisis.

The BHE chair stated that money and language are inextricably tied in collective bargaining. No money, no deal.

He also addressed 9c cuts (less than 1% for higher education), part-time faculty GIC coverage and his lack of independence from the appointing authority.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Gerald Concannon,
MSCA Secretary