Minutes From Union Executive Meeting 1-28-21

Meeting:           Berklee Faculty Union Executive Committee
Date:                January 28, 2021 at 1:00p, via Zoom
In Attendance:  Will Silvio, David Scott, Andrew Shryock, Elizabeth Seitz, Wendy Rolfe, Prince Charles Alexander, Michael Abraham, Marti Epstein, Paul Masters, Denise Pons-Leone, Utar Artun, Alicia Bower, Michael Johnson, Nichelle Mungo, Stephanie Reich, Nicholas Urie, Vanessa Morris

Call to order 1:02p.

1. Minutes

MOTION:         “To approve minutes of the Union Executive Committee meeting on December 10, 2020.” (MASTERS)
SECOND:         JOHNSON
VOTE:              unanimous approval, motion carries

2. Discussion of Spring 2021 on-campus conditions

Discussion of on-campus teaching conditions, at the College and Conservatory.

3. Enrollment for Spring 2021

SILVIO summarized reported enrollment levels for Spring 2021. 

4. Update on compromise for part-time faculty with a 3-year contract

SILVIO discussed compromise, which is under tentative agreement with negotiations ongoing. 

5. Snow committee

ROLFE reported on faculty concerns regarding snow days and absence of communication from administration. Discussion followed.

6. Student evaluations

ROLFE reported on faculty concerns regarding student evaluations being used as part of faculty evaluations and reappointments. Discussion followed. Committee will return to the topic at a later meeting.

Meeting adjourned 1:51p.

Minutes From Union Executive Meeting 12-10-20

Meeting:           Berklee Faculty Union Executive Committee

Date:                December 10, 2020 at 1:00p, via Zoom

In Attendance:  Will Silvio, David Scott, Andrew Shryock, Elizabeth Seitz, Wendy Rolfe, Prince Charles Alexander, Michael Abraham, Marti Epstein, Denise Pons-Leone, Utar Artun, Michael Johnson, Nichelle Mungo, Stephanie Reich, Nicholas Urie, Vanessa Morris, Mike Scott

Call to order 1:05p.

1. Minutes

MOTION:         “To approve minutes of the Union Executive Committee meeting on November 19, 2020 and the Union-Management meeting on December 3, 2020.” (EPSTEIN)
SECOND:         MUNGO
VOTE:              unanimous approval, motion carries

2. Resignation

SILVIO read letter announcing UEC resignation from Peggy Codding. 

3. Budget amendment

MOTION:         “To amendment to FY21 budget to include $500 increase to Gifts & Donations.” (SHRYOCK)
SECOND:         SCOTT
VOTE:              unanimous approval, motion carries

4. 23-unit compromise

SILVIO summarized discussion with Larry Simpson, in which they agreed tentatively to a modified minimum workload guarantee for part-time faculty with a 3-year contract: these individuals will be paid for no fewer than 23 units for Academic Year 2020–21. D. SCOTT asked about impact; SHRYOCK summarized preliminary analysis that informed compromise terms; discussion followed.

MOTION:         “To accept compromise on guaranteed minimum workload of no fewer than 23-units in Academic 2020-2021 for part-time faculty with a 3-year contract.” (SHRYOCK)
SECOND:         (SEITZ)
VOTE:              8 yes, 1 no, 3 abstain; motion carries

Meeting adjourned 1:59p.

Minutes from Union-Management Meeting 12-3-20

Meeting:           Union-Management Meeting
Date:                December 3, 2020 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, Alicia Bower, Michael Johnson, Nichelle Mungo, Stephanie Reich, Nicholas Urie, Vanessa Morris

Larry Simpson, Andy Vores, Darla Hanley, Eileen Alviti, Jay Kennedy, Melinda Thomas, Matthew Nicholl, Maureen Hickey, Michael Shinn, Mike King, Ron Savage, Scott Edmiston, Tommy Neblett 

Call to order 1:03p.

1. College & Conservatory Enrollment

KING summarized Fall 2020 enrollment and enrollment projections for Spring 2021; noted that administration is seeking physical space in four cities in China to facilitate practicing and community building for students unable to travel to campus; summarized limited interest in on-campus activity in Valencia among current students enrolled in programs on the Boston campus. Discussion followed. 

2. Faculty furloughs

SILVIO requested clarity on furlough process for part-time faculty with a one-year contract; ALVITI said mandatory furlough designation is automatic, though in Fall 2020, affected faculty were not notified; for Spring 2021, affected faculty will be notified after Add/Drop period and they will be able to view status in Workday. Discussion followed.

SILVIO asked about Theater division hires made without callbacks of furloughed faculty; EDMISTON and VORES said new hires were result of Theater faculty teaching to capacity, and they were aware of no faculty with no teaching assignment. Discussion followed.

SILVIO asked about snafu that prevented students from registering with preferred private instruction faculty; SAVAGE acknowledged problem and KENNEDY will follow-up with Registrar.

Meeting adjourned 1:58p.