Meeting: Berklee Faculty Union Executive Committee

Date: May 7, 2020 at 1:00p, via teleconference

In Attendance: Will Silvio, David Scott, Andrew Shryock, Elizabeth Seitz, Wendy Rolfe, Prince Charles Alexander, Michael Abraham, Dennis Cecere, Peg Codding, Marti Epstein, Paul Masters, Denise Pons-Leone, Utar Artun, Alicia Bower, Michael Johnson, Stephanie Reich, Vanessa Morris, Mike Scott

Call to order 1:06p.

1. Minutes

MOTION: “To approve minutes of Union Executive Committee meeting on April 30, 2020.” (MASTERS)

SECOND: JOHNSON

VOTE: unanimous approval, motion carries

2. Honorarium

MOTION: “To issue an honorarium in the amount of $750.00 to Rebecca Cline for her contributions to Equity subcommittee in Spring 2020.” (SHRYOCK)

SECOND: SEITZ

VOTE: unanimous approval, motion carries

3. BOCCE

SILVIO reported College is moving to BOCCE, a learning management system used at Berklee Online, for incoming students. JOHNSON predicted short learning curve for faculty, although updating and changing course content is an onerous process; EPSTEIN noted College platform may be different than Berklee Online platform; PONS-LEONE noted Conservatory intends to use new platform, rolling out one course per division in Fall 2020.

MOTION: “The Union Executive Committee requests that the College delay the rollout of Bocce until the Union has had a meeting with administration about faculty concerns and we are back on campus” (ROLFE)

SECOND: REICH

VOTE: 14 for, 1 opposed, 1 abstain

4. Contract discussions

SILVIO said Administration has not been back in touch. Discussion followed.

5. Contracts not issued

SILVIO summarized discussion with counsel regarding administration’s decision to withhold contracts.

Meeting adjourned 1:57p.