Meeting: Berklee Faculty Union Executive Committee
Date: January 23, 2020 at 1:00p
In Attendance: Will Silvio, David Scott, Andrew Shryock, 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, Nicholas Urie, Vanessa Morris, Mike Scott, Andrea Johnson

Call to order 1:07p.

1. Approve minutes

MOTION: “To approve minutes of Union Executive Committee meetings on November 14, December 5, and December 12.” (CECERE)

SECOND: ABRAHAM

VOTE: unanimous approval, motion carries

2. Classroom & Facilities update

SILVIO summarized meeting with Larry Simpson, Jay Kennedy, Matthew Nichol, Bruce Bennett, Greg Esposto, and Jerry Smith in which efforts to improve classroom conditions were discussed. As a result, College has increased use of student workers, replaced equipment, reviewed issues noted by faculty and Union, and identified areas for further improvement.

3. Presidential Search Committee Update

SILVIO summarized ongoing efforts to place a Union representative on the Presidential Search Committee, specifically a petition with roughly 470 signatures that was submitted at a BTOT listening session to Search Committee Chair Marty Mannion. The petition prompted a follow-up meeting and an invitation to submit questions directly to candidate(s).

4. Private Lessons Concern

ROLFE discussed implications – both payment and credit toward benefits thresholds – for part- time faculty caused by students who sign up for private instruction after Week 1.

CONFIDENTIAL - Any text in red will be redacted in version published on Union website

5. Substitute Policy

SILVIO summarized Administration amendments to College policy to reflect state laws with respect to earned sick time. Additionally, policy for Conservatory faculty has been updated and clarified. Finally, College will reimburse individuals who previously requested reimbursement for wages paid to subs out of their own pockets. New College policy now applies and no further reimbursement requests will be considered.

Meeting adjourned 1:52p.