Nuts & Bolts: FSU events, FSU Executive Committee actions and follow-ups, know your contract, parking passes, MTA summer conference and MTA Benefits

5/12/2025

FSU Calendar May 12th to 16th     

FSU lunchtime in UDC on Wednesday, May 14th 12:00-1:00PM

It’s the last day of class!!  Come on by, grab a bite and gather with colleagues. 

Contract Bargaining Session, Wednesday, May 14 from 9:45AM to 11:30AM in ISC 1400 

Join your core bargaining team as an expanded team member.  See the May 8th Core Bargaining Team email on how to register.

Contract Bargaining Session, Thursday, May 15 from 9:30AM to ???? in Healey Library, 4th floor, rm 15  

Yes, there is no end time listed. Why? We plan to bargain all day and into the night if we are making progress.  Join us as a silent representative. Join for a little while or longer.  

Dear Faculty and Librarians,

The final day of classes is here.  Sometimes a semester seems very long and sometimes not so.  No matter how your semester went, take some time to relax and join FSU members Wednesday in the University Dining Club for some pizza and small bites.   

If you can’t join us, take a few moments and dance the chicken dance. Yes, May 14th is National Dance Like a Chicken Day. 

FSU Executive Committee Action: Labor Demands an End to the Assault on the Right to Organize and Protest

The Executive Committee voted to be a signatory to the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW3000) petition demanding an end to the assault on the rights to organize and protest. The signed petition is attached. 

FSU Executive Committee: AUP Motion follow up

Last week we informed you of a motion passed and that we sent the motion language to members of UMB Administration. We said we would provide you with an update.  



On May 5th, Ray Lefebrve replied with the following:

Thank you for following up on the UMass Boston IT Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) which is currently being revised by Wil Khouri, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in partnership with Garrett Smith, Deputy Chancellor per Faculty Council request.

I've CC'd Wil Khouri, CISO so that he can provide an update on the agreed upon AUP revision status accordingly.

Thank you for your patience & understanding as we work together on this important institutional matter.

Raymond V. Lefebvre, Vice Chancellor and CIO

FSU Executive Committee: Letter on free speech and academic freedom follow up

On April 25th we sent a letter to Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, Provost Joseph Berger, Vice Chancellor Marie Bowen and Vice Chancellor Calvin Hill.  (a copy was included in the April 28th Nuts & Bolts).  A reply was received on May 9th.   It is attached.

Know Your Contract: Article 15 Faculty Workload

15.13     Faculty members on active appointment are expected to participate in: (a) student orientation, (b) advising, and (c) commencement.

Spring Semester Parking Passes

Just a reminder that your spring semester pass expires on May 31, 2025.  

MTA 2025 Summer Conference, July 27th to 30th at UMass Amherst

This year’s conference includes higher ed day on Tuesday, July 29th.  Activities on this day include updates on Executive Orders, immigrant rights, and academic freedom.    Click here for conference information.

MTA Benefits: Free Admissions!

Dues paying FSU members have access to a variety of services and discounts at MTA Benefits. All you need to do is set up your account. Once done, you have access to local and national discounts.  Some local discounts include free admission to American Heritage Museum in Hudson, Battleship Cove in Fall River, Castle Hill at Crane Estate in Ipswich, Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, and New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston.

The last Nuts & Bolts of the year will be May 19th. 

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                                 

FSU President                                   

Senior Lecturer II                               

Political Science Department