Voluntary separation bonus and other news from the FSU
Dear Colleague,
We want to update you on a number of important issues:
► Proposed voluntary separation incentive: The University has proposed a voluntary separation bonus of $20K for most benefited bargaining unit members who have worked for 10+ years and $5K for all other benefited employees who have worked at least a year and separate before August 31. We will keep you updated on negotiations over this proposal (see here for the university’s proposal as well as previous bargaining updates).
►Course Cancellations: If you have not already done so, let us know how many sections have been eliminated in your department in the fall 2017 and spring 2018 semesters, how many positions have been cut in your department, and the effect of this (higher course caps, more teaching in Navitas/CAPS). Unfortunately, the university does not need to give notice to most Associate Lecturers, so we recommend that all Associate Lecturers talk to their chair to find out if they will be teaching this fall, and let us know what you find out.
Sign the petition here protesting the lack of faculty input in the budget and budget-cutting process, the harm to students that will occur, and the lack of transparency in the budget.
►Rally for public education, Saturday, May 20 at 2 pm at the Boston Common (see flyer here): Please join thousands of educators to call upon the Commonwealth to support public education. We are calling for full funding, adequate infrastructure and debt-free higher education so we can provide the education and research that fulfills the mission of public higher education. Demand the public higher education system that our students deserve. FREE STICKERS FOR THIS RALLY ARE AT THE UNON OFFICE.
The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), our parent union, is a member of The Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance, which is sponsoring this rally. The FSU Executive Committee has endorsed the rally.
Marlene Kim
FSU President
Professor, Marlene Kim