Nuts & Bolts: Office Temperatures, Know Your Contract: Teaching Evaluations, Reducing the Number of Credits for a Degree, NECHE Accreditation Changes and MTA Retirement Services

12/8/2025

Dear Faculty and Librarians,

I got a week to go, I got a week to go, I said until then, It's just a dream my friend, I still got a week to go (Week to Go by Taulia Lave). 

As the semester winds down, we wish you a pleasant last week of classes and remember to take some time for yourself before heading into final exam week and assignment grading.

Office temperatures

Wearing a winter coat in your office?  Or are you sweltering like a July day? If you answer yes, please inform the Facilities Department by emailing facilties@umb.edu.  This also includes your classrooms. A comfortable work environment is necessary and is a working condition.

Anti Racism Grant Applicants

Thank you to those who applied!    

NTT Promotion Workship

Thank you to all who attended the December 2nd workshop. We appreciate the feedback. If you were unable to attend, please contact us for the video.

Know Your Contract: Teaching Evaluations

Article 33.4: Each department, program or other analogous unit shall develop or adopt one or several modes appropriate to the process of evaluating teaching in that unit, as well as procedures for the administration of student evaluations of teaching. Over time, the annual evaluations of teaching should attempt to capture the total contribution of the candidate to the instructional mission, both inside and/or outside the classroom, through multiple modes of evaluation, not just student evaluations. For faculty involved in graduate education, the annual evaluation should address their effectiveness in advising and mentoring graduate students.

Board of Higher Education (BHE): Change in Credits Needed for Degree

BHE is proposing reducing from 120 to 90 the number of credits needed for a bachelor’s degree.  The Higher Education Leadership Council of MTA, (FSU is a member) which represents the faculty and professional staff at the state’s 15 community colleges, nine State Universities and four University of Massachusetts campuses stand together in opposing the proposal.  We will keep you updated.

New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE): Proposed Accreditation Changes

NECHE is the accreditation authority for higher education institutions.  They are proposing changes in accreditation standards including the removal of most references to libraries and librarians, diminishment of civic education language and removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) language.  The Higher Education Leadership Council is concerned about these changes and working on a letter of concern. We will keep you updated.

MTA Membership Benefit: Retirement Services 

MTA provides members who are planning to retire with personal retirement consultant services.  All consultations are held by appointment only, and proof of membership must be submitted when requesting retirement services. Go to https://www.massteacher.org/mta-membership/retirement-planning and select the higher education members consultant. 

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                                 

FSU President                                   

Senior Lecturer II                               

Political Science Department