Minutes from Union Executive Meeting 11-19-20

Meeting:           Berklee Faculty Union Executive Committee
Date:                November 19, 2020 at 1:00p, via teleconference
In Attendance:  Will Silvio, David Scott, Andrew Shryock, Elizabeth Seitz, Wendy Rolfe, Prince Charles Alexander, Dennis Cecere, Marti Epstein, Paul Masters, Denise Pons-Leone, Alicia Bower, Michael Johnson, Nichelle Mungo, Stephanie Reich,Nicholas Urie, Vanessa Morris, Mike Scott

Call to order 1:04p.

1. Minutes

MOTION:         “To approve minutes of the Union Executive Committee meeting on November 12, 2020. (URIE)
SECOND:         MASTERS
VOTE:              unanimous approval, motion carries

2. Meeting with Provost Larry Simpson

SILVIO summarized discussion with Larry Simpson regarding …

A) a potential compromise regarding College decision not to honor workload minimum (i.e., 27 units) for part-time faculty with three-year contract; 

B) adjusted schedule for Spring 2021 on-campus teaching Monday–Saturday (8a–10p); 

C) pressure from chairs to teach on campus with threats of no teaching assignment.

Discussion followed.

Meeting adjourned 1:59p.

Minutes from Union Executive Meeting 11-12-20

Meeting:           Berklee Faculty Union Executive Committee
Date:                November 12, 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, Marti Epstein, Paul Masters, Denise Pons-Leone, Utar Artun, Alicia Bower, Michael Johnson, Stephanie Reich, Vanessa Morris, Mike Scott

Call to order 1:05p.

1. Minutes

MOTION:         “To approve minutes of the Union Executive Committee meeting on October 29, 2020, amended as follows: ‘3. ROLFE noted faculty are being given conflicting information.’” 
(M. JOHNSON)
SECOND:         MASTERS
VOTE:              unanimous approval, motion carries

2. Incoming President of Berklee College of Music

Discussion of open house with Erica Muhl.

3. Department meetings

Discussion of meeting schedules and regularity across departments. 

4. Part-time faculty with one-year contract

SILVIO summarized situation in which part-time faculty with a one-year contract have not been furloughed, and, in addition, the College has hired new faculty without offering available work to individuals with no teaching assignment.

5. Visa concerns for part-time faculty

ARTUN summarized visa concerns of a faculty member whose employment visa is expiring and may be ineligible to continue teaching at Berklee. SILVIO will pursue with Human Resources and Union counsel.

Meeting adjourned 1:54p.

Minutes from Union Executive Committee 11-5-20

Meeting:           Berklee Faculty Union Executive Committee
Date:                November 5, 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, Paul Masters, Denise Pons-Leone, Utar Artun, Michael Johnson, Nichelle Mungo, Stephanie Reich, Nicholas Urie, Vanessa Morris

Call to order 1:05p.

1. Minutes

MOTION:         “To approve minutes of the Union Executive Committee meeting on October 29, 2020.” (M. JOHNSON)
SECOND:         CECERE
VOTE:              unanimous approval, motion carries

2. Open House with new President Erica Muhl

On November 10, at 1pm, there will be a faculty open house with new President Erica Muhl.

3. Part-time faculty with three-year contract updated

SILVIO summarized Harmony Dept. Chair’s indication that all part-time faculty members, in Harmony, with a three-year contract will be paid for no fewer than 27 units in Academic Year 2020–21. ROLFE noted faculty are being given conflicting information. 

4. Department meetings

ROLFE summarized administration instruction to department chairs to hold only three department meetings per semester. Discussion followed. 

5. Private teaching

ROLFE summarized administration instruction to department chairs to accommodate all students who request on-campus lessons in Spring 2021. Discussion followed.

6. Healthcare benefits

ROLFE summarized concerns about healthcare benefits and premium subsidy for part-time faculty members with a three-year contract but no teaching assignment. Discussion followed.

Meeting adjourned 1:51p.