Nuts & Bolts: Sept 11th campus incident follow-up, Executive Committee vacancy, travel funds, seeking Health & Safety Committee representative, PSU staff layoffs, federal funding cuts involvement, Fall grade deadline change and MTA Benefits

9/15/2025

FSU Calendar September 15th to 19th

Wednesday, September 17th All Union Meeting on Parking & Transportation Bargaining 12:30PM to 1:30PM in the UDC. Join us to hear an update on our proposal and Administration’s counter proposal. 

Please register (in-person or zoom) at  https://bit.ly/Sept17ParkingRSVP   

Dear Faculty and Librarians,

We hope you were able to de-stress this weekend by enjoying time with family and friends.  Massachusetts comes alive this time of year with fall foliage, Halloween activities and apple picking.  Many only require a comfortable pair of shoes and are great stress relievers.  

Follow-up to September 11th campus incident: FSU to meet with administrators.

We hear you.  From emails received to meetings on the plaza, we have heard your concerns. We are compiling your concerns to share when we meet with Marie Bowen, Joe Berger, and Mickey Gallagher on Tuesday morning, September 16th.  A one-hour meeting will not result in solutions but a start to examine concerns. We will continue engaging until there are processes in place that address our concerns.  A safe campus includes all community members knowing what to do in an emergency.

Here is a brief list of what you told us: Lack of clarity in UMB alerts, what is EMKI, campus shuttle buses were dropping people off at locations listed in the alerts, once you evacuated a building there was no guidance of where to go or do, classrooms deficient in posted instructions, although my building was not listed in the alert we locked the classroom but unsure if this was what we were to do and the outside sirens/instructions were hard to understand.  Many of you indicated rumors swirled as students were getting information from social media including twitter/X, Discord and some even listening to police scanners. 

FSU Executive Committee:  Tenured Track Representative

Your executive committee is comprised of four (4) tenured track representatives. As of September 1st, we have a vacancy with the resignation of Suha Ballout, who left UMB for a new position. Suha’s term ends May 2026. After much discussion, the executive committee voted to fill the seat at our annual election in Spring 2026 rather than hold a mid to late October special election. Watch for an election announcement in January.

Know Your Contract: Travel Funds

Our new contract increases the travel fund pool from $325,000 to $400,00 and increases the reimbursement from $1,150 to $1,700.  For details see Article 26.6.1(b) of the contract.

FSU Representative: Health & Safety Committee

The FSU is seeking a member to serve as our representative on the Health & Safety Committee.  The committee meets on the last Monday of the month. If interested or for more information, email FSU@umb.edu

PSU Layoffs: 12 TRIO Staff Layoffs

For nearly six decades, UMass Boston has provided federally funded TRIO programs that expand college access and support for low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students. Upward Bound, founded in 1966, is one of the oldest running programs in the nation, preparing 258 Boston Public School students each year through tutoring, advising, and a six-week residential summer program. Talent Search/Project REACH, launched in 1985, serves 1,825 BPS students annually, helping them persist in high school, re-engage if they’ve dropped out, and prepare for postsecondary success. The Upward Bound Math-Science program serves 72 Lawrence High School students, preparing them for college and STEM careers.

Historically, TRIO programs have been a critical bridge to higher education for students who otherwise face the steepest barriers. The students served are overwhelmingly first-generation, low-income, and students of color.

Recently, 12 TRIO staff members at UMass Boston were laid off due to federal cuts- 9 from Talent Search/Project REACH and 3 from Upward Bound. Collectively, these staff members support more than 2,000 students. If these positions are not restored, Boston and Lawrence students will lose far more than tutoring or advising hours. They will lose trusted mentors who guide them through high school, first-generation role models who help them believe college is possible, and the consistent support that keeps them on track academically and socially. Without reinvestment, thousands of young people will be left to navigate the steepest barriers to higher education alone.   (information provided by the PSU)

Concerned about Federal Funding Cuts? 

Join with members across public higher education to discuss impacts of funding cuts and strategies to fight back.   Meetings are every other Thursday morning 9:00-10:00 beginning on September 18th.    The attached flyer contains details and the meeting link.

Fall 2025 Grade Submission Deadline Change

The original submittal date was December 26th. The provost reached out to say they would like to change the date to December 29th.  We agreed.

MTA Benefits: King Richard’s Faire in Carver

Save on group adult tickets.  Check out Seasonal Offers & Tickets for more details.

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                                 

FSU President                                   

Senior Lecturer II                               

Political Science Department