MSCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
September 5, 2003
Framingham State College
(amended October 3, 2003)

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:
Donna Sirutis (MTA)

Approval of the Orders of the Day and the Minutes:
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 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 June 6, 2003. The motion passed.

President's Report:
President Markunas discussed a joint meeting with the Council of Presidents, a communications workshop for Board members and local leadership, the 25th anniversary of MSCA's affiliation with NEA, a workshop on liability issues related to chemical hygiene and environmental safety, work on the MSCA archives, MSCA Directors' support for funding of higher education contracts, the location of the June 2004 Board meeting and appointments to MSCA committees.

It was moved and seconded to meet with the COP sometime in January.

It was moved and seconded to table the motion. The motion to table passed.

It was moved and seconded to conduct a communications workshop, to be held on either October 24th or November 14th, to prepare for negotiations, with the costs for the workshop not to exceed $2000. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to recognize the MSCA’s 25th anniversary of its affiliation with NEA with the MSCA officers serving as the committee charged with looking at this. This observation will also include recognition of the MSCA's affiliation with MTA and the signing of the first statewide collective bargaining agreement. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to hold a workshop on liability issues related to chemical hygiene and environmental safety issues at Fitchburg State College on October 20, 2003. It would be open to faculty and librarians from other state colleges, nominated by local chapter presidents. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to adopt a resolution supporting the funding of higher education contracts as a priority issue for the Legislature. A letter is to be sent to the Governor in support of this funding. The motion passed unanimously.

It was moved and seconded to hold the June meeting of the MSCA Board on June 4, 2004, and move it from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to Bridgewater State College. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to appoint G. Tetrault and F. Liang to the MSCA Grievance Committee. The motion passed.

Vice-President's Report:
It was moved and seconded to increase tuition benefits for MSCA employees up to the expenses for one course, plus books, in each academic semester. The motion passed.

Treasurer's Report:
The Treasurer discussed problems with the MSCA database and the membership list. These problems are being addressed with individual meetings with local chapter presidents and treasurers.

Secretary's Report:
The Secretary passed.

MTA Reports:
MTA Consultant (Day Unit): Consultant Sirutis discussed the recent mediation session about grievances filed at Salem State College and issues related to the implementation of the Early Retirement Incentive Program (ERIP).
MTA Director: Director Paolillo alerted the Board to concern for loss of MTA members due to the lack of adequate funding for teachers' positions.

Local Chapter Presidents' Reports:
Bridgewater: Problems with evaluation criteria, e.g., "contribution to the college community."
Fitchburg: Things settling down under the new president.
Framingham: Increase in enrollment and its effect on workload. Mass Art: Strong enrollment, no layoffs, partnership with BHE in earliest stage.
Mass Maritime: Enrollment/workload up, no problems with evaluation criteria.
MCLA: Enrollment flat, working on curriculum.
Salem: Enrollment up, hired 21 full-time faculty, no layoffs.
Westfield: Enrollment up, no layoffs, no definitions for evaluation criteria.
Worcester: Having problems with ad hoc committees picked by the administration.

MSCA Committee Reports:
Day Bargaining (B. Art):
It was moved and seconded to go into executive session in order to discuss negotiations. The motion passed.
It was moved and seconded to come out of executive session. The motion passed.

DGCE Bargaining (D. Twiss): Not much progress on the money front.
Grievance Committee (F. Minasian): Chairperson Minasian discussed a new members' workshop, race issues and the backlog of grievances and arbitrations.
Legislation Committee (F. Minasian): No report.
Ad Hoc Committee on Librarian Concerns (N. George): Chairperson George reported plans to hold another meeting of this committee during the fall semester. She thanked the MSCA (day) bargaining committee for their work on the one-year extension. Ad Hoc Committee on the Salary Database (C. J. O'Donnell): Chairperson O'Donnell reported on his work concerning the audit of pay increases, monitoring the professional development monies and the salary studies conducted this past summer.
BHE/MTA Health and Welfare Trust (D. Twiss): Trustee Twiss gave a brief report. The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m.

Gerald Concannon, Secretary, MSCA