President s Corner by Luis Cordón. Report from AAUP Annual Meeting. collective bargaining agreement? September Vol. XXXVII, No.

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1 September Vol. XXXVII, No. 1 Inside this issue President s Corner AAUP Annual Meeting AAUP Capitol Hill Day Special Election Nicole Krassas Wins ECSU-AAUP Recognition Award Anna Kirchmann Awarded CSU Professor Liaison Network Welcome New Faculty! Have a question about our collective bargaining agreement? Contact Contract Administrator Niti Pandey pandeyn@easternct.edu or Have a question about a grievance? Contact Grievance Officer Darrell Koza kozad@easternct.edu or Since last we met, a lot has happened: President s Corner by Luis Cordón Our contract negotiations were finally concluded this summer, 2 solid years since our negotiating team began working on our proposals. The contract was then approved by the state legislature, along with SEBAC concession agreement. As you are all aware by now, the state legislature has seen fit to thank the state employees for this attempt to help the state save money by proceeding to pass a budget that attempts to make further massive cuts to higher education and other services. The Governor vetoed that one, but as I type this the Representatives are gathering to attempt to override that veto. In other words, although our negotiations are over, there is much about our situation that remains in flux. Much of the discussion at the AAUP-CBC Annual Meeting and at the AAUP Summer Institute concerned the continuing threats to collective bargaining rights at both the state and national levels, with a lot of attention to the possibility that the now-fully-seated U.S. Supreme Court will agree to revisit their decision last year in which they upheld the right of labor organizations to charge agency fees. Taking this ability away is a classic union-busting tactic, as it would cripple many unions ability to operate, or to even continue to exist. We will of course be keeping a close eye on all of these things, and we will keep you informed. Report from AAUP Annual Meeting Darrell Koza On June 14-18, 2017 the Connecticut contingent representing all four CSU-AAUP chapters took part in the AAUP Annual Conference on the State of Higher Education. Among the many notable topic and speakers whom presented was Professor Harry Keyishian, honored for the 50th anniversary of the 1967 US Supreme Court case Keyishian vs. Board of Reagents. In this case the Court ruled against the State of New York in enforc- 1

2 ing a loyalty oath for public employees and was pivotal in establishing Academic Freedom as special concern of the First Amendment. Additionally, a screening of excerpts and a panel discussion of the film A Time to Stir about the 1968 student protests at Columbia University was well attended by AAUP faculty. The CSU-AAUP members took part in the Capitol Hill day in which lobbying visits were arranged to speak on topics important to Higher Education. The AAUP annual meeting also held during this weekend. In addition to honoring Professor Keyishian, members considered the removal of censure at one of the AAUP s censured institutions. At the annual meeting, CSU-AAUP president Elena Tapia introduced two resolutions (each receiving standing ovations) honoring Steve Greatorex and Caryl Schiff-Greatorex, who retired after 41 years of service to CSU-AAUP. Steve and Caryl began working with AAUP in 1976 when Public Act was passed which allowed for the collective bargaining of state employees. New to CSU-AAUP are Erin Clark as AAUP business manager and Paul Filson as director of member services. We wish Steve and Caryl the best in their retirement and welcome Erin and Paul during a particularly busy and critical time for the CSU- AAUP. AAUP Capitol Hill Day David Stoloff The Connecticut delegation to the AAUP Capitol Hill Day included 16 members from 10 Connecticut colleges and universities. The delegation spent the morning in the Hart Building visiting the offices of Senator Chris Murphy and Senator Richard Blumenthal. Senator Murphy s Education Policy Fellow, Timothy O. Abram, II (Tim_Abram@murphy.senate.gov) responded to the day s position papers, Access and Affordability for College Students, Prior Learning Assessment and Competency-Based Education, and Trump Budget: Cuts to Research and Humanities Programs, described at Discussions included the economic drag on society of student loans. Participants described student loan repayments equaling the cost of home mortgages, Connecticut s state heroes being both educators, and skills like cursive handwriting as still being essential. Senator Blumenthal s Legislative Correspondent Madeline Daly (Madeleine_Daly@blumenthal.senate.gov) spoke of tools for following congressional actions like and Madeline spoke of the bills that Senator Blumenthal is co-sponsoring, including relief for student loans and college for all initiatives. There was discussion of the loss of time and mental health resulting from the emphasis on educational testing, and the humanizing nature of the arts and in-class experiences. After lunch on the 6th floor cafeteria in the Library of Congress Madison Building, the delegation discussed the position papers met with Danielle Most (Danielle.Most@mail.house.gov), Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty s Legislative Director and Counsel, in the hallway outside of Cannon Building 221, and Sylvia Lee (Sylvia.Lee@mail.house.gov), Congressman John B. Larson s Senior Policy Advisor, in a special conference room in Longworth. We also met with Congressman Jim Himes Legislative Correspondent, Nicholas Larsen (Nicholas.Larsen@mail.house.gov) and then left for the Rayburn Building Office of Congressman Rosa DeLauro to meet with her Legislative Assistant Brandon Honore, (Brandon.Honore@mail.house.gov). Discussions included the co-sponsoring of bills on student loans, teacher preparation program support, national service, the political process to lobby congressional committees, and the depletion of funds process that disadvantages educational and research programs. Our delegation was joined by Samuel J. Dunietz, AAUP Research and Policy Analyst (sdunietz@aaup.org) and Mariah Quinn, AAUP Digital Organizer (mquinn@aaup.org). 2

3 Before meeting with Congressman Joe Courtney, we saw Congresswoman DeLauro in the Longworth Hallway and took group photos. Congressman Courtney spoke of his efforts for college cost reduction and student loans and suggested that in the future he will invite Connecticut AAUP members to participate in his open houses and statewide presentations. He recognized the connections between educational testing and declining resources on mental issues in the state. His Legislative Director, Alexa Combelic serves as his liaison on educational issues. The delegation convened at the AAUP Capitol Hill Day reception in Rayburn Building for an inspiring close of the day through a short presentation by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal from a congressional district in the Seattle region. Nicole Krassas Wins ECSU-AAUP Recognition Award Dr. Nicole Krassas has a long record of service to ECSU- AAUP ( ), serving as CSU-AAUP Council representative and as chapter secretary and treasurer. Nicole has also been an advocate through many grievances and contract issues, including faculty accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Renewal, Promotion, and Tenure, Family Sick Leave, Maternity Leave, and Freedom of Information requests. Nicole is not only knowledgeable about our collective bargaining agreement, she possesses unique insight into how best to handle situations that arise. As Kris Jacobi writes, Nicole was and still is the epitome of an AAUP member who delivers service above and beyond expectations. Congratulations, Nicole, and thank you for your dedicated service to our chapter! Group Photo with Congressman Joe Courtney Chapter President Luis Cordón with Nicole Krassas Special Election Later this semester, the chapter will be calling a vote to update our bylaws, which are inconsistent with the CSU- AAUP bylaws and the bylaws of our sister chapters. Additionally, we will be running an election for chapter Treasurer. Stay tuned! Anna Kirchmann Awarded CSU Professor Anna D. Jaroszyńska-Kirchmann, Eastern s Distinguished Professor, was awarded the title of CSU Professor by the Board of Regents on June 15, Dr. Kirchmann has extensively researched the Polish- American experience and has won numerous international honors and recognition for this work. She has written and edited several books and serves as Editor- 3

4 in-chief of the journal Polish American Studies. She has also served Eastern and Willimantic by organizing and coordinating the Ethnicity and Migration Program, serving on the board of the Windham Textile and History Museum, and curating a special exhibit on the role of Polish immigrants in building the town. ECSU-AAUP congratulates Dr. Kirchmann, Eastern s newest CSU Professor. Liaison Network Have a question or concern? Our newly-implemented liaison network can get messages out to members and convey concerns from members to the chapter leadership. Our liaison network for is: Art & Art History Anne Dawson (dawsona, x55117) Biology Liz Cowles (cowlese, x64385) Business Niki Kunene (kunenek, x53791) Coaches Diana Pepin (pepind, x55182) Communication Olugbenga Ayeni (ayenio, x50240) Computer Science Sarah Tasneem (tasneems, x50389) Counseling Marianne Ciardullo (ciardullom, x54010) Economics Maryanne Clifford (cliffordm, x55512) Education Mark Fabrizi (fabrizim, x50659) English Barbara Liu (liub, x54576) EES Steve Nathan (nathans, x55579) History Joan Mezner (meznerj, x54601) KPE Darren Robert (robertd, x55184) Library Kris Jacobi (jacobikr, x54508) Math. Sciences Marsha Davis (davism, x54592) Performing Arts David Pellegrini (pellegrinid, x55583) s Darrell Koza (kozad, x51015) PPG Nicole Krassas (krassasn, x55034) Psych. Sciences Luis Cordón (cordon, x55289) Soc., Anth., SW William Lugo (lugow, x50163) WLC Kin Chan (chank, x55328) Want to write for the Union Rag? Lyndsey Lanagan-Leitzel (Editor) Welcome New Faculty! The ECSU-AAUP wishes to welcome all new faculty members to Eastern: Khalilah Arrington Education Ashley Bissonnette Health Science Hermes Carrero Jessica Cook Maeve Doyle Art and Art History Stefania Farace Business Ana Laura Funes-Maderey PPG Christina Garcia (Beagle) English Brianna Halladay Economics Kedan He Jonathan Hulvey Biology Chantal Larose Mathematical Science Phyllis Lee Psychological Science Simonette Quamina Art and Art History Oren Shtayermman Social Work Patrick Vitale PPG Steven Williams Business 4

5 September Vol. XXXVII, No. 1 Executive Committee Officers President: Luis Cordón (Psychological Science) Vice-President: Darrell Koza (s) Secretary: Lyndsey Lanagan-Leitzel (Psychological Science) Treasurer: Catherine Carlson (EES) (interim) Past President Kris Jacobi (Library) The Union Rag Editor Lyndsey Lanagan-Leitzel (Psychological Science) ECSU-AAUP CSU-AAUP Council Members Sarah Baires (Anthropology) Theresa Bouley (Education) Edmond Chibeau (Communication) Niti Pandey (Business Administration) David Stoloff (Education) (alternate) Contract Administrator Niti Pandey (Business Administration) Grievance Officer Darrell Koza (s) ECSU-AAUP Staff Christine Guarnieri ECSU-AAUP Office Science Building Windham Street Willimantic, CT Phone: guarnieric@easternct.edu Web: 5