Minutes from Union-Management Meeting 4-8-21

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.