Meeting:           Berklee Faculty Union and Berklee College Administration

Date:                October 3, 2019 at 1:00p

In Attendance:  Will Silvio, David Scott, Andrew Shryock, Wendy Rolfe, Michael Abraham, Dennis Cecere, Peggy Codding, Marti Epstein, Paul Masters, Denise Pons-Leone, Utar Artun, Alicia Bower, Peter Cokkinias, Michael Johnson, Stephanie Reich, Nicholas Urie, Darla Hanley, Jay Kennedy, Matthew Nicholl, Ron Savage, Bill Whitney, Scott Edmiston, Melinda Thomas

Call to order 1:05p.

1. College Admissions

SILVIO observed increased concern among faculty regarding reduced enrollment in Spring 2020 semester, with specific emphasis on implications for part-time faculty with respect to workload and three-year contract status; KENNEDY responded noting increase in anticipated spring in-take over last year based on applications and deposits (i.e., 150–60 for Spring 2020 vs. approx. 140 for Spring 2019) while also cautioning enrollment status of current students remains uncertain until Spring registration occurs and Spring tuition is paid; KENNEDY further noted Admissions considers diverse recruiting needs, including desires of various departments (e.g., brass, which doubled enrollment this year) as well as other considerations (e.g., desire to increase number of female students).

On department needs, SAVAGE discussed ensemble personnel, specifically noting that scholarship assignments are also used to attend to disproportion and need; SAVAGE further noted process of populating ensembles was impacted this year by a staff change-over, which resulted in some ensembles lacking necessary personnel during first month of the semester.

On teaching assignments, KENNEDY summarized priorities of chairs determining course assignments, which include desired workload of part-time faculty but, principally, needs and best interests of students; SILVIO reiterated wish that enrollment fluctuations not be used as a mechanism to revoke three-year contract status of part-time faculty; KENNEDY reserved managerial rights on this matter, as negotiated in the collective bargaining agreement.

Discussion followed.

2. Classroom facilities

SILVIO observed concerns over nonfunctioning, malfunctioning, and obsolete technology; illogical and unsuitable classroom furnishing and design; and delays in (and absence of) classroom support; KENNEDY responded with request for specific problems and needs.

Discussion followed, including recommendation to collect and review data on support requests, especially at the Conservatory, and increased attention to spaces that require frequent support and/or repair.

Meeting adjourned 1:54p.