Meeting:           Berklee Faculty Union Executive Committee

Date:                September 12, 2019 at 1:00p

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, Alicia Bower, Peter Cokkinias, Michael Johnson, Stephanie Reich, Vanessa Morris, Nicholas Urie

Call to order: 1:04p

1. INTRODUCTIONS

A) UEC member introductions

B) Ground rules for UEC meetings

SUMMARY: meetings are confidential; UEC should speak with unified voice and public statements should go through President’s office.

2. SUMMER ISSUES

A) Implementation of College Intellectual Property (IP) Policy

SUMMARY: College enforces its new IP policy for staff and students; faculty removed following Union-issued demand to bargain.

ALEXANDER: speaking as member of Committee that drafted policy: committee charged with creating policy that empowers creative process at Berklee and clarifies College’s ownership of intellectual property created by students, staff, and faculty; American Federation of Teachers lawyer (i.e., David Strom) reviewed the policy draft circulated for public comment; raised concerns about “faculty exception,” which excepts faculty from some “work for hire” stipulations.

SCOTT: review of draft, and further research, revealed a lack of clarity on IP ownership; instructional videos produced to inform faculty and these will be published shortly.

B) Revisions to Criteria for Promotion and Reappointment

SUMMARY: document and procedures updated over Summer 2019; these will go into effect Sep. 1, 2020; principal updates concern integration of Conservatory faculty.

C) [confidential topic redacted]

3. NEW BUSINESS

A) Sick Leave Policy

SUMMARY: on Sep. 17, 2019, the Union will meet with management regarding recently-distributed Sick Leave Policy, specifically discussing problematic, concerning, and illegal procedures in the new policy.

B) Engaging consultant

SUMMARY: Will Silvio introduced proposal to engage Mike Scott as consultant to President for first year of his term; proposal distributed (attached); summary of content and motivation for proposal.

Discussion followed.

MOTION: “To approve proposal and employ Mike Scott as consultant to President.” (CECERE)

SECOND: EPSTEIN

VOTE: Unanimous approval; motion carried.

Discussion followed concerning consultant salary.

MOTION: “To employ Mike Scott as consultant at rate of $20,000 per year.” (EPSTEIN)

SECOND: PONS-LEONE

VOTE: 16 for, 1 opposed; motion carried.

Meeting adjourned 1:50p