MSCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
October 3, 2003
Framingham State College

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, J. Stonehouse, G. Tetrault, D. Twiss.

Guests:
R. Whalen, D. 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 September 5, 2003.

It was moved and seconded to amend the minutes. The motion to amend the minutes passed. The motion to approve the minutes as amended passed.

President's Report:
President Markunas reported that Charles Stigliano (Mass Art) has been elected to the Board.

The Board thanked M. Seiden for his service to the MSCA as a director from Framingham State College.

Joanne Newcomb (Bridgewater/MSCA) was appointed to represent the chapter on the DGCE/MSCA bargaining committee.

President Markunas discussed actions in support of funding for Higher Education contracts including her op-ed piece in the Globe, the No More Zeros campaign in the MSCA Perspective, legislative activities, HEUU activities and strategy meetings with MTA officials, representatives of management and legislators.

It was moved and seconded that the MSCA recommend that the MTA refuse to support candidates for legislative office unless they support funding for the higher education contracts. The motion passed unanimously.

It was moved and seconded that the MSCA support the picketing at the Democratic National Convention starting July 26, 2004, at the Fleet Center in Boston. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded that the MSCA actively join with colleagues in HEUU to elect delegates to both the 2004 Democratic and Republican State Conventions as well as to demonstrate at the Democratic and Republican State Conventions. The motion passed unanimously.

It was moved and seconded that the MSCA Board recommend that HEUU consider plans to picket the 2004 Republican State Convention. The motion passed unanimously.

Vice President's Report:
Vice President Minasian discussed legislative issues. He will be holding a Legislation Committee meeting shortly.

The vice president discussed problems with MSCA communications and the use of the colleges' electronic networks.

It was moved and seconded to have the MSCA establish an ad hoc committee to study the issue of intra-union electronic communications. The motion passed.

The members will be appointed by President Markunas and will report to the Board no later than the February Board meeting.

Treasurer's Report:
The treasurer reviewed the monthly expenses.

It was moved and seconded to receive the treasurer's report. The motion passed.

It was moved and seconded to waive MSCA dues for people teaching one or two credit hour courses.

It was moved and seconded to postpone/table this motion until the November meeting. The motion passed.

Secretary's Report:
The Secretary passed.

Chapter Presidents' Reports:
Worcester State: Privacy issues (unfair labor practice) evaluation issues: Vice President's summary of Articles. VIII and XX of the CBA.
Westfield State: Not much happening at the moment.
Salem State: New central campus open.
MCLA: "Verbally" reaccredited by NEASC
MMA: MMA administration preparing a "white paper" on its prospective relationship with the BHE.
MCA: New Partnership with BHE on the fast track. Considering running a campus in the People's Republic of China. Framingham State: Liability issues concerning faculty and students. Faculty believes in putting more pressure on the administration about bargaining.
Fitchburg State: Faculty hiring not keeping pacewith attrition. New administration an improvement.
Bridgewater State: BSC's trustees have changed the format for their meetings. The faculty is allowed but not encouraged to attend.

MSCA Committee Reports:
The Day and DGCE Bargaining reports were delivered in Executive Session.

The Grievance Committee report was delivered in Executive Session.
The legislation, librarian concerns, salary database (collecting data), BHE/MTA Health and Welfare Trust (new hires not covered for 6 months) committee reports were brief.

MTA Reports:
D. Sirutis and B. Whalen discussed privacy issues for students. The faculty was cautioned with regard to disclosure of students' personal information. L. Paolillo discussed WEP and pension offsets. He noted that repeal legislation will succeed if it reaches the floor in Congress.

New Business:
J. Ambacher discussed our MTA benefits pitch on the campuses.

M. Sieder discussed the labor coalition for peace.

It was moved and seconded that the MSCA endorse the Call for a US Labor Coalition Against the War and support the participation of up to five delegates to the Assembly to be held in Chicago. The motion passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Gerald Concannon Secretary