UFF-USF

Meeting from 2 pm to 4 pm in EDU 150, chaired by P. Terry (Chapter President)

Present: R. Allander, C. Joszi, G. McColm, D. McMullen, G. Notaro, A. Novoa, S. Permuth, A. Shapiro, P. Terry, H. Vanden, R. Welker, S. Wohlmuth.

Absent: S. Dorn, M. Karlins, M. Manzur-Leiva, S. Mathur, J. Noonan, C. Patterson.

[13 of 18 present, sufficient for a quorum]

Organization. Discussion of the organization of UFF, following up on the discussion in the Chapter Meeting.

• Motion that standing committee members, excluding chairs, may upon nomination by the committee chairs be presented to the Chapter Council electronically for approval. Without objection, motion approved.

USF-Poly. Discussion of latest developments.

• Motion made and seconded to broadcast a Resolution on the UFF USF Biweekly Bargaining Unit + Additional Subscribers mailing list. Motion approved unanimously. The Resolution is below.

RESOLUTION OF THE UFF USF CHAPTER COUNCIL

Whereas, the Florida Board of Governors has established criteria regarding enrollment, academic and other standards required for the University of South Florida Polytechnic to become an independent university;

Whereas, University of South Florida System President, Dr. Judy L. Genshaft, continues to support and implement the criteria established by the Florida Board of Governors regarding the USF Polytechnic;

Whereas, in her support and implementation of the Florida BOG criteria, President Genshaft continues to focus and adhere to the principles of shared faculty governance, primacy of student interests and needs; and the voice of the USF Polytechnic faculty;

Whereas, there appears to be unwarranted interference with her rights and responsibilities as President to lead the University of South Florida System and the University of South Florida Polytechnic campus;

Therefore, be it resolved that the United Faculty of Florida (UFF) University of South Florida System Chapter, through its Chapter Council commends and presents a unanimous vote of confidence in President Judy L. Genshaft for her actions and leadership regarding USF Polytechnic.

Voted & Approved

January 13, 2012

UFF USF System Chapter Council Meeting*

*The UFF USF System Chapter Council is composed of faculty and professionals elected across the System by the approximately 600 dues paying members of the chapter. The chapter represents approximately 1,600 faculty and professionals employed in the USF System.

These minutes respectfully submitted by Gregory McColm on 25 January 2012.

Attendance & Introductions. There were sixteen members, including eleven members of the Chapter Council, and two guests in attendance.

Minutes. Minutes of 2 December 2012 meeting approved.

Reports.

• Treasury. We are solvent.
• Membership. Discussion of spring campaign.
• USF-Poly. Discussion.
• Communications. Communications will collaborate with the spring campaign.
• Faculty governance liaisons. Report on the Tampa SEC.
• Political action. Discussion of legislative prospects.
• Grievances. Discussion of outstanding grievances.
• Bargaining. Plans for bargaining.
• Election. The schedule will be announced shortly.

Organizing. Initial discussion of issues to be presented to the Chapter Council.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on 15 January 2012.

Attendance & Introductions. There were eighteen members and two guests in attendance, including ten members of the Chapter Council, making a majority of the Council.

Introductions.

President’s report. Prospects in the coming legislative session.

Presentation by UFF Executive Director Ed Mitchell. Prospects in the coming legislative session. PAC donations.

Election. The Chapter election is this spring.

• Motion made and seconded: That the deadline for receiving membership forms to UFF in order to vote in the 2012 Chapter elections will be the deadline for receiving nominations. The mechanics of the election to be handled by a committee consisting of Steve Tauber. Motion approved.

Note: Steve Tauber will be assisted by Sherman Dorn.

Chapter Council. A meeting of the Chapter Council will be called early in the semester to discuss the organization of UFF USF.

USF Poly. Discussion of tenure status of USF Poly faculty.

Reports.

• Treasury. We are solvent.
• Membership. Recruiting continues.
• Collective bargaining. Discussion.

These minutes respectfully resubmitted by G. McColm on 7 December 2011.

Attendance & Introductions. There were eleven members in attendance, including four members of the Chapter Council, insufficient for a quorum.

Minutes of the previous meeting approved.

President’s report. Prospects in the coming legislative session.

Reports.

• Treasury. We are solvent.
• Communications. Discussion of Uncommon Sense and flyers.
• Membership. Discussion of USFSM recruiting.
• Grievances. Discussion of the status outstanding grievances. Assignment issues at USFSM.
• Bargaining. Bargaining to begin October 2012.

These minutes respectfully resubmitted by G. McColm on 23 November 2011.

Attendance & Introductions. There were twelve members in attendance, including seven members of the Chapter Council, insufficient for a quorum. There was also a guest.

Minutes of the previous meeting approved.

Reports.

• Treasury. We are solvent.
• Communications. Update on status of Biweekly.
• Bargaining. Discussion of the status of the contract.
• Membership. We need more faculty involvement. Discussion of the spring recruitment drive.
• Grievances. Discussion of the status outstanding grievances.

USF Polytechnic. Motion presented and modified on the floor.

• >The following motion was made, seconded, and approved.
  • Whereas, the State of Florida faces a looming budget shortfall of nearly two billion dollars.
  • Whereas, a petition of 214 prominent citizens of Polk County have petitioned to delay, for at least a year, a vote on the separation of USF Polytechnic from the USF System.
  • Whereas, the University of South Florida Polytechnic Faculty Senate has informed the Board of Governors of the State of Florida that: “We, the duly elected USF Polytechnic Faculty Senators, respectfully request that that the Board of Governors of the State University System vote at this time to deny a separation of USF Polytechnic from the USF System.”
  • Whereas, a vote of the USF Polytechnic student body illustrated some 85% in opposition to the separation and the University of South Florida Student Senate (representing all students) has adopted a resolution in opposition to the disjunction of the USF Polytechnic campus.
  • Whereas, there are major concerns that have not been satisfactorily answered regarding: the funding, the “new” business plan, State Senators calling for an audit, direct and indirect potential negative financial impact for taxpayers and public universities and colleges.
  • Whereas, fundamental issues of accreditation of a separate Polytechnic on students and institutions have not been resolved, where the essential need through shared governance and full and substantive consultation with faculty on the USF Polytechnic campus, before a proposal to separate was announced, has not occurred, where the issue of faculty contractual rights have not been discussed to clearly identify the place and role of faculty under a “new” structure.
  • Whereas “projections” of future enrollment belie historic trends, where Polytechnic has had but one (1) engineering graduate, where there are already two major universities (USF and UCF) within 30 miles of Lakeland with outstanding engineering and mathematics programs.
  • Therefore, be it resolved by the University of South Florida System Chapter of the United Faculty of Florida (UFF USF), which represents the contractual rights of faculty to the wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment, urges the Board of Governors to act in concert with the recommendation of the 214 prominent citizens noted above which states that:
  • ““… the Board of Governors of the State University System vote to delay a vote on the separation of USF Polytechnic from USF for at least a year and that in the interim the University System conduct a thorough, objective, public, fact-based analysis of the issues and impacts to support a rational future decision that is best for both schools and all concerned parties.
  • We feel that the issue of separation is being politically driven and is not in the best interests of education for our country and region.”

UFF PAC. The UFF PAC is seeking funds. Discussion.

NAACP Hillsborough.

• Motion made and seconded that the Chapter purchase a $ 50 ticket for the December 15 NAACP Banquet and send a representative.

These minutes respectfully resubmitted by G. McColm on 5 November 2011.

Attendance & Introductions. There were thirteen members in attendance, including seven members of the Chapter Council, insufficient for a quorum. There were also two guests.

President’s report. President Terry reported on recent developments.

Governor Scott visited USFSP on October 20. Senator Notaro reported on Scott’s visit.
Reports.

• Treasury. We are solvent.
• Communications. We are tweaking Biweekly.
• Membership. We are recruiting. Discussion of receipts.
• Grievances. Discussion of grievances and of patterns among grievances, especially with regard to tenure, academic freedom, and gender.
• Bargaining. Discussion of the status of the current contract.

Good of the order. Discussion of the PAC form.

These minutes respectfully resubmitted by G. McColm on 22 October 2011.

Attendance & Introductions. There were thirteen members in attendance, including nine members of the Chapter Council, insufficient for a quorum. There were also two guests.

Minutes. 23 September 2011 minutes approved.

Students for a Democratic Society. Dustin Ander of the SDS made a presentation, and there was a discussion of common concerns.
Reports.

• Treasury. We are solvent.
• Communications. Discussion of bookkeeping an scale of the Biweekly.
• Membership. Adrian Berraducci nominated to the Services Committee and supported unanimously; subsequently approved by the Chapter Council.
• Grievances. There are a lot of grievances, especially in certain units.
• Bargaining. Faculty and administrators often do not read the contract.

USF Poly. UFF is conducting a survey of faculty views.

These minutes respectfully resubmitted by G. McColm on 9 October 2011.

Attendance & Introductions. There were twelve members in attendance, including six members of the Chapter Council, insufficient for a quorum.

Minutes. 9 September 2011 minutes approved.

Reports.

• Treasury. We are solvent.
• Communications. We are working the Biweekly website next.
• Membership. We are working on databases.
• Bargaining. Discussion.
• Grievances. Seven outstanding grievances.
• Ad Hoc Committee on Education Legislation (chaired by Steve Permuth): currently organizing the committee.

Government Relations / Communications Campaign. Some chapters are donating funds for the campaign.

• Motion made and seconded that the UFF USF Chapter support the 2011 – 2012 Government Relations / Communications Campaign with a contribution of $ 5,000 from savings. Motion approved.

USF Poly. Discussion.

Rebates. The chapter is currently committed to rebating $ 300 for each new membership entered by December 9. Other chapters are offering rebates in the $ 100 range.

• Motion made and seconded that the UFF USF Chapter reduce the rebate from $ 300 to $ 100 for people joining after December 9. Motion approved.

These minutes respectfully resubmitted by G. McColm on 27 September 2011.

Attendance & Introductions. There were eleven members in attendance, including ten members of the Chapter Council, sufficient for a quorum.

Minutes. 28 August 2011 minutes approved.

Announcements.

• USF-Poly. The Executive Committee has asked to be on the work group studying the status of USF-Poly. We have not received a response, and will pursue the matter.
• Reception. There will be a reception for new and continuing faculty and professionals on October 4 at USF-Tampa at 5:30 pm at the Embassy Suites in Salon F.

Reports.

• Treasury. We are catching up with rebate checks.
• Communications. The Biweekly broadcast was delayed by a security-related glitch, and we will be working with our host company and USF IT to develop the broadcasting system.
• Grievances. Seven outstanding grievances.
• Bargaining. Discussion.
• Ad Hoc Committee on Tenure & Promotion (chaired by John Noonan): we have heard from reliable sources that bills modifying or eliminating tenure in some or all of higher education in Florida are being considered by legislators.
• Ad Hoc Committee on Education Legislation (chaired by Steve Permuth): currently organizing the committee.

Health Care. Some USF employees may be caught in problems involving the elimination of one of the two alternative HMOs.

UFF Senate Next Weekend All senators are asked to register or send proxies to Greg McColm.

Breakfast with the NEA president. The president of the NEA will be having breakfast in Orlando on Wednesday morning. Steve Permuth will represent UFF USF at that meeting.

Intellectual property rights at USF. Discussion.

These minutes respectfully resubmitted by G. McColm on 10 September 2011.

Attendance & Introductions. There were thirteen members in attendance, including nine members of the Chapter Council, insufficient for a quorum. We also had a guest.

Minutes. 29 July 2011 minutes approved.

Tenure & promotion. John Noonan will chair a task force that will report to the Bargaining Committee.

Membership campaign. Plans for fall membership campaign outlined.

• Motion made and seconded to extend $ 300 rebate under the conditions that a UFF USF employee who joins during the fall term will receive a dues rebate in spring. Motion approved.

Treasury. We are solvent.

Grievances. Discussion of outstanding grievances.

Communications. Discussion of Biweekly and website.

Chapter meetings. The Chapter will meet at USF-Tampa in EDU 313 on Sept. 9, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, and Dec. 2. We will meet at USF-Poly at LTB 1123 on Sept. 23, at USFSP in the Community Room of Harbor Hall (the former Dali Museum building) on Oct. 21, and at USFSM on Nov. 18 at a location TBA.

These minutes respectfully resubmitted by G. McColm on 31 August 2011.