Nuts & Bolts: Upcoming events, volunteers to serve on Anti Racism Grant Committee, Acceptable Use Policy, update on campus security incident, December 2nd NTT Promotion Workshop and MTA Benefits

11/10/2025

FSU Calendar Nov 10th to 14th  

Wednesday, November 12th Say No to Resilience, and Yes to Resistance, 12:00-1:30PM Ballroom

While Prof. Andrew Leong (as a community lawyer) has done countless know your rights training since 2017, this gathering will offer observations, information, and examples as to how we can and should individually/collectively resist at a time when we are falling into the abyss of authoritarianism.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, November 17th UDC Pizza and Cookies 11:30AM to 1:00PM

Stop by UDC for some pizza, relax, chat with colleagues and meet new colleagues. Pick up some FSU swag – stickers, buttons and t-shirts.

Dear Faculty and Librarians,

Tomorrow, November 11th we celebrate Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, specifically living veterans. 

UMB’s Center of Excellence for Veterans website states there are over 600 student veterans. There is also the UMass Boston Student Veteran Center which is student run and provides support and information.  Please share the resources with your students.

The Veterans Collaborate has developed resources to support the military and veteran community. For Massachusetts specific programs, go to https://www.collaborate.vet/mass   

Seeking Committee Members for the Anti-Racism Grant Program Committee

We are seeking for volunteers to serve on the Anti-Racism Grant Program Committee. The committee work takes place December 4th to 15th.

Committee members’ responsibilities include reviewing all applications, selecting which applications to be awarded the grant with the caveat that the total funding pool of $50,000 is to be split among the awardees. 

Please submit your interest to fsu@umb.edu by November 18th.  The Executive Committee will vote on the committee membership on November 21st.

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP): Proposed changes before Faculty Council

In May 2025, the Executive Committee voted unanimously That the administration suspends the AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) policy with immediate effect until a new policy is drafted and agreed upon.   Also at this time, the Faculty Council moved to make policy changes.

Today’s Faculty Council meeting includes a discussion of proposed policy changes. 

Update: Union meeting with UMB Emergency Management  

On November 4th, representatives of the FSU, CSU and PSU met with Justin Comeau, director of emergency management regarding the September 11th campus incident.

Watch for an email with meeting details.

Save the Date: NTT Promotion Workshop, December 2nd at 2PM in Zoom

NTT members of your Executive Committee will be hosting a zoom workshop to provide information on the promotion process and materials to be submitted.

NEA Benefits: Educators Employment Liability Program

FSU membership includes membership in the National Education Association (NEA).  NEA’s professional liability insurance (EEL) program protects members from financial liability for incidents related to employment activities. Details at https://www.nea.org/resource-library/educators-employment-liability-program

Enjoy the week and we look forward to seeing you on the 12th at Andrew Leong’s presentation.

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                                 

FSU President                                   

Senior Lecturer II                               

Political Science Department