Minutes from Union Executive Committee Meeting 4-15-21

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Meeting:           Berklee Faculty Union Executive Committee
Date:                April 15, 2021 at 1:00p, via Zoom
In Attendance:  Will Silvio, David Scott, Andrew Shryock, Elizabeth Seitz, Wendy Rolfe, Michael Abraham, Dennis Cecere, Marti Epstein, Paul Masters, Denise Pons-Leone, Utar Artun, Alicia Bower, Michael Johnson, Nichelle Mungo, Stephanie Reich, Vanessa Morris, Mike Scott

Call to order 1:04p.

1. Minutes

MOTION:         “To approve minutes of the Union Executive Committee meeting on 
March 25, 2021; General Membership Meeting on April 1, 2021; and Union-Management meeting on April 8, 2021.” (PONS-LEONE)
SECOND:         EPSTEIN
VOTE:              unanimous approval, motion carries

2. Union meeting with Conservatory faculty

EPSTEIN reported on meeting with Conservatory Faculty Advisory Committee, including need for clear and consistent application of Service to the College expectations, improved faculty orientation procedures, and chair and dean evaluations. Discussion followed.

3. Social media allegations

SILVIO summarized recent social media allegations – as well as Union, administration and community responses – against a faculty member. Discussion followed.

Meeting adjourned 2:00p.

Minutes from Union-Management Meeting 4-8-21

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Meeting:           Union-Management meeting
Date:                April 8, 2021 at 1:00p, via Zoom
In Attendance:  Will Silvio, David Scott, Andrew Shryock, Elizabeth Seitz, Wendy Rolfe, Prince Charles Alexander, Michael Abraham, Dennis Cecere, Marti Epstein, Paul Masters, Denise Pons-Leone, Utar Artun, Michael Johnson, Nichelle Mungo, Stephanie Reich, Nicholas Urie, Vanessa Morris
Larry Simpson, Scott Edmiston, Darla Hanley, Chris Kandus-Fisher, Jay Kennedy, Matthew Nicholl, Carin Nuernberg, Ron Savage, Michael Shinn, Melinda Thomas, Tommy Neblett

Call to order 1:05p.

1. Testing Center update

KANDUS-FISHER provided on update on Testing Center, emphasizing smooth start and quick turn around for testing; testing will continue for summer and likely to fall.

SILVIO asked about social distancing protocols; KANDUS-FISHER responded 6-foot rule is enforced for long-term contact, although momentary encounters may result in closer contact; Community Standards team has been active, with education and sanctioning and implementation of anonymous reporting procedure;

SILVIO asked about classroom sizes and ventilation; KANDUS-FISHER said Maureen Hickey is more appropriate point person; KENNEDY added details on ventilation and facilities assessments; SAVAGE emphasized ongoing special attention to conditions in 1140 Boylston building.

ALEXANDER asked about an assurance of safety interacting, in the fall, with other individuals; SIMPSON responded vaccination requirement is still under discussion;

SIMPSON added that all faculty are expected to be on-campus in fall, with exceptions handled by Human Resources, Deans, and Chairs;

SILVIO asked about ensembles, private lessons, and other activities that include woodwind players and considerations of Plexiglas barriers; KENNEDY responded a community-wide email will be sent to address these issues.

2. Summer Semester update

NUERNBERG provided an update on in-person activities for summer programs: 5-week program, 10 College special programs, 7 Conservatory intensives, a Valencia performance program; NUERNBERG summarized efforts to reduce risk of in-person programs, including fewer start times and fewer programs in June, remote pre-college activities (2 College special programs, 1 Conservatory intensive, a Valencia performance program), and also a Berklee Online early summer semester.

ROLFE asked about distributing 5-week program across multiple building(s); NUERNBERG said additional and external facilities are being considered. 

MORRIS asked about College response to faculty who contract COVID; SIMPSON said College will respond in the same manner used for any other virus, illness, or need for medical leave.

MUNGO asked about individuals for whom vaccination is discouraged; SIMPSON responded no decisions have been made on this front, but expectations remain the same – namely, faculty are expected to teach on-campus in the fall.

3. Social media posts

SIMPSON discussed College (and community) response to social media posts alleging a recent racial incident.

Meeting adjourned 2:00p.