The Voice of the Faculty and Coaches

APSCUF California University of Pennsylvania September/October 2014

APSCUF CAL U Summary

Total Faculty 410 Stand Up and Speak Out Message From The President In my first few months as APSCUF president I have dealt with one issue more than any other – class size. My esteemed colleague and Vice President, Craig Smith, pointed out that there are actually two distinct separate issues here, class size and course caps. So let me address class size first.

Class size deals with the recommended number of students that would be in a course.

Article 31 E point 1 the second sentence reads thus, “Each campus shall establish processes and procedures for recommending curricular action (including but not lim-

ited to guidelines on program review, program and course initiation, class size, and similar recommendations) . . .” Those two little words in the parentheses give faculty an Barbara Hess, opportunity not afforded before in any other collective bargaining agreement (CBA). APSCUF CALU APSCUF CAL U is the Voice Last spring, Dr. Burrell Brown, Dr. Bill Biddington and I sat down with University admini- Chapter for a Quality Public Higher stration for the express purpose of coming up with a procedure in which faculty could President Education have input on class size. We came to an agreement on a procedure. The procedure would necessi- ...by working to ensure students receive all the tate a change in the new course proposal form to allow not only for a line for class size but also an educational benefits and area for justification for the proposed class size. In addition, departments would have the opportu- opportunities possible from nity to appeal the initial decision of non-approval because of class size directly to the provost. Now California University of at this point you may be asking, does this new procedure work? Ask Jason Kight, Diane Nettles or Pennsylvania. Holiday Adair if the proposed system works? All three department chairs had courses that were initially not approved by administration because of the recommended class size, even though all had been approved at all other levels. I immediately notified the provost and had these chairs give me justifications for their recommended class sizes. In some cases the difference between what was Inside this issue: being asked by administration and what had been proposed was only a couple of students. These department chairs all successfully justified their recommended class sizes and the initial denied President’s Message 1 courses were changed to approvals. These faculty members stood up and spoke out. New Grievance 3 The second issue that many label as class size should actually be labeled course caps. Course caps Committee Chair limit the number of students that can be enrolled in a course. I can think of no better way to show From the Editor’s Desk 4 you the results of course caps than the following chart supplied by Mark Cloud who chairs State Meet and Discuss. This chart shows the percentage of undergraduate sections with 50 or more General Meeting with 5 students enrolled in them. As you can see 19% of all undergraduate classes at Cal U were high President Ken Mash

Legislative/CAP 6 Committees Update

Voter Registration 8 Drive Leadership 9

Faculty News 10

Meet and Discuss 11 Agenda

Postings/Notices 12 The Voice of the Faculty and Coaches Page 2

Message From The President (continued from page 1)

enrolled classes in 2009. That Lock Haven, 8 from IUP, 5 from vigilant. Department chairs is nearly one in every five Mansfield, and 1 each from need to watch course caps and classes had 50 or more stu- Bloomsburg and East Strouds- be ready to go to bat for the dents in it. In 2013 the per- burg. members of the department. centage went down to 15% but All of us as faculty need to be we still lead PASSHE in the We have more than 3 times the vigilant. We need to be able to percentage of classes with high number of high enrolled grad stand up and say, “For the good PASSHE enrollment. Also note that classes than any other institu- of the academic quality of this Board of these figures do NOT include tion in PASSHE, and over half of course, I cannot go over this Governors distance ed or lab courses. The all high enrolled grad classes in number of students in my question we should be asking PASSHE come from Cal U. Let class.” We need to be respect- is, “WHY do we still continue to me stress once again, this data ful of our colleagues who say have high enrolled sections?” does not include distance ed or no, when we beg to have one of Global Online programs. If our advisees admitted to a “Isn’t it time The graduate picture looks these were included I am cer- closed section. We need to tell that we begin even worse. Since state tain Cal U would be way off the our advisees that they need to APSCUF defined high enrolled chart! register on time in order to get to stand up and at the undergraduate level as the classes they need. It is only speak out and 50 or more at the undergrad How do we fight this? My an- through a joint effort by all of us level, for purposes of analysis, I swer is, just say NO. We have working together that we will be demand defined high enrolled graduate become so accustomed to the able to overcome the damage academic level classes to be 40 or more. productivity of the former ad- that has been done by adhering While I myself have never been ministrative era that we have to productivity and thinking of quality for our in a grad class that came even forgotten our voice. I would like students as consumers, rather students by close to this number, I thought to say thanks to those chairs than as products of Cal U. As 10 less to be a good number that did not lose their voices – consumers, students make all demanding considering the amount of work Margo Wilson and Sherri Boyle. the demands which must be reasonable and effort grad faculty put into Margo sat down with admini- met. However, if they are prod- teaching graduate courses. In stration to discuss the overrid- ucts of Cal U then students class sizes, so 2009 PASSHE had 40 sections ing of course caps in some of must meet our academic stan- that we can total of graduate classes with the literature classes. Her dards. 40 or more students in them. voice was heard and she also give the Of those, 20 of those sections listened as administration ex- Isn’t it time that we begin to individual were from Cal U, 11 were from plained one of the reasons for think about academic quality Slippery Rock, 6 from IUP, 2 overriding course caps was due rather than just looking at the attention that from Mansfield and 1 from to a scheduling conflict with amount of money generated by students Edinboro. We had over half the another department on cam- admitting more and more stu- high enrolled grad sections. pus. Sherri contacted me a dents to a class? Isn’t it time need.” Now looking at the 2013 data I couple of times about issues that we begin to stand up and saw something quite odd. Cal related to course caps and speak out and demand aca- U ran between 166 to 155 face possible closing of sections. I demic quality for our students to face grad sections have to say I think I was just by demanding reasonable class (remember the data does not more morale support for Sherri sizes, so that we can give the include distance ed or lab than anything else. I also thank individual attention that stu- course data) during the years faculty such as Brian Wood who dents need? from 2009 to 2012, but in spoke up about the size of 2013 the total number of sec- some of his own individual Finally, isn’t reasonable class tions was 49. Yes, there was a courses. Brian had the courage size a hallmark (or shouldn’t it drop in graduate enrollment but to speak up and say, “The num- be) that distinguishes PASSHE not enough to warrant this ber of students in my course is institutions from large institu- Did You Know…? drastic drop in the number of over the cap and it is now an tions (oh, for old time sake let ..that 3 times the graduate sections offered. I unreasonable number.” His us once again use the compari- number of high asked administration about this voice was heard and a new son) like Penn State, where enrolled grad and they verified that there has section was added. large sections of students be- classes than any to be something wrong with the come mere numbers instead of other institution in data. So the figures here are My point to all of this is simply individuals? PASSHE, and over from 2012. All total across this, it is time to stand up and half of all high PASSHE, the number of sec- speak up. Take the opportunity enrolled grad tions with 40 or more grad stu- to have input into class size classes in PASSHE dents was 73. Of the 73, 38 seriously. Be ready to defend sections came from Cal U, 11 your decisions. When it comes come from Cal U. from Slippery Rock, 9 from to course caps we need to be The Voice of the Faculty and Coaches Page 3

Stand Up and Speak Out.. Addendum Message From The President

I had written my newsletter to not retrench faculty. How- 1. Write to your legislators article before Interim President ever I am a little nervous about and express to them your Jones’ announcement concern- the future. If cutbacks in state concern and explain that ing the furlough of 6 SCUPA, 6 funding of PASSHE continue the cutback of over $90 AFSCME and 4 managers and and student enrollment contin- million of funding to higher the decision not to fill 14 cur- ues to decline, then administra- education during Corbett’s rent vacancies. I have been tion may be faced with even administration has had a asked about retrenchment of tougher decisions about faculty negative impact on higher faculty so here is an extended and staff. Rest assured though education. Cite not only response. that no talk of retrenchment of cutbacks in staff and man- Interim faculty has occurred here at agers here at Cal U but the President Management has remained Cal U. In fact administration increase in your class Geraldine true to their word that retrench- has said to me over and over sizes. M. Jones ment of faculty will be their last again that retrenchment of resort to a tightening of the faculty is a last resort to budget 2. VOTE in the upcoming university budget. According to cuts. election and encourage the CBA, campuses are to be your students to vote. We notified by August 1 if there is My heart does go out to SCUPA need a change in leader- to be retrenchment of faculty. and AFSCME. I extended my ship at Harrisburg. This did not occur here at Cal U. concern to these union presi- In fact there are currently 13 dents after our meeting with 3. Give to CAP. CAP dollars searches on for faculty during the interim president. How- enable our lobbyists to the 2014-2015 academic year. ever, you may be asking what endorse candidates and can I do? Here are some things have access to our govern- Write to your I do believe that administration to consider: ment leaders in Harris- legislators... is doing everything in its power burg. VOTE in the upcoming election….

Give to CAP! APSCUF Grievance Committee Introduces New Chair

Greetings from the new APSCUF as the Social Sciences mi- tee, as Chair of the Faculty Grievance Committee Chair at nor. Sociology is very pleased Scholarship Committee, Global Cal U! to be launching a new and very Online Graduate Coordinator, exciting concentration in Devi- and as Faculty Advisor for the Welcome to, or welcome back ance this year, and I also look Sociology Club, and Pi Gamma to, a brand new semester at Cal forward to new collaborations Mu, the International Honor U! My name is Libby Larsen and with our department colleagues Society for the Social Sci- my office is in 450 Manderino in modern languages, anthro- ences. in the newly formed Depart- pology, and philosophy. ment of Modern Languages, Please feel free to contact me Philosophy, and Socio-cultural Outside the classroom, I have to say hello and with any ques- Studies in 450 Manderino. My been an active member of the tions or concerns you may teaching and research is in the Institutional Review Board (IRB) have. I am pleased to be serv- Dr. Elizabeth Larsen, Chair discipline of Sociology, and I for a number of years. I have ing you in this new role, and am APSCUF Grievance Committee have worked at Cal U since the also served on the Gen Ed Com- deeply indebted to Dr. Arcides autumn of 2006. An associate mittee, Service & Service Learn- Gonzalez, my predecessor, for professor, I am the Director of ing Sub-committee of FPDC, the all the hard work he has done. Sociology and its accredited University Wide Promotion Com- Applied Concentration, as well mittee and Sabbatical Commit-

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APSCUF. PANTSCUFF. APSBUG. Yeah . . Whatever !! by Rick Cumings Ph.D

Summer is a mist long since head,” and your head has no coming months to show such blown away, whether we want recourse. Off it goes. How support. Yes, with our dues. to admit it or not. NOW is faculty have little to none But in other ways which show when the year . . . not just the voice in university matters. Or we care more about just our- school year, but THE year . . . curriculum matters. Or fac- selves and our pocketbooks. begins. Right? If you have ulty evaluation matters. Or As newly-elected State been in academia as long as I much of anything. When APSCUF President Ken Mash Rick Cumings, Associate Professor, have, then the rhythm Is just those terrorized faculty learn says, we need to get in- Communication that. Fall, the best time of the of the circumstances PASSHE volved, make thoughtful deci- Studies year, is the start. Summer is provides . . . well, you under- sions about voting, helping, the true ending. All our plans, stand. But, the question is contributing because “it is the house and yard work, travels, raised. How did we get to our right thing to do . . . and . . . it “free” thoughts come to a somewhat exalted position? is the self serving thing to crashing, crushing end. It is One answer: APSCUF. Wait, do.” It helps the union . . . time for the routine . . . which should I presume you even us . . . when we all pitch in. is our reality . . . to kick in. know what the letters stand There are committees, local And so, off we go. for? No? Well . . . here: As- and state, to serve on. There “President sociation of Pennsylvania are calls which go out periodi- Mash has big It’s (mostly) fun to meet up State College and University cally to serve for an hour or with new students, old stu- goals, number Faculty. It is the organization two at a time passing things dents, new colleagues, old which has fought past battles out, sitting behind a table, all one of which is colleagues (yeah, you . . . for our hard-earned benefits. to nurture the image of our to get returned looked in the mirror lately? It is the organization which union among students and the $90 million See … old colleagues!) . We battles the stubborn (always) , the university community. get to impress the young im- stolen from us mean-spirited (at times) , un- And the town. And the state. pressionable kids, gripe about caring (sometimes) ______To write letters to the editor. by this state’s our administration treats us, (fill in your own adjective) To talk with politicians. To politicians.” grouse about political actions administration folks who de- talk with other faculty who are which have an impact upon termine our future in chunks not APSCUF members. our university and departmen- of 3 and 4 years. At least we There are little things needing tal pocketbooks and which have a say in the matter. You to be done. And bigger have an impact (sometimes) and I have been to schools things. They all add up. on our day to day lives. AND, where faculty get no say. we get to be reminded, yup, None. WE have a say be- President Mash has big goals, again, about what our faculty cause folks, our faculty em- number one of which is to get union, APSCUF, PANTSCUFF, eriti , have done the hard returned the $90 million sto- APSBUG . . . whatever . . . is work of winning the right to len from us by this state’s and what it does for us. organize, to negotiate, to do politicians. Then we can battle, to have a voice in de- move forward to face the up- For many of us it is the major termining our future. coming contract negotiation. reason we are at a PASSHE A union united and active university. Most of us have “We ARE a If you shy away from being and stronger will go a very union. We suffered at other pubic and/ labeled a union person. Get long ways in achieving our need to act or private institutions. We over it. We ARE a union. We goals. Let this be the year like a union. know what the pay is like. need to act like a union. We YOU join in. Don’t leave it to We need to What the insurance plans are need to support the union . . . others . . . to them. Let it be support the like. What the teaching loads with our time, thoughts, YOU who steps up. union …” are like. How the administra- money, effort. There will be tion can roar, “Off with your opportunities aplenty in the

The Voice of the Faculty and Coaches Page 5

We Want Our Money Back ... NOW! Says State APSCUF President by Rick Cumings Ph.D

$90 million. We need it back. ported increasing funding to edu- upon higher ed, thus making it an We want it back. That’s the cation, including higher educa- easier choice to give us our number one focus for state tion. Plus, Mash said, “He will money back. APSCUF said newly-elected remember we supported him in state APSCUF President Ken “We are union members,” said Mash (ES). the beginning.” That’s only one of the things we can do to get our Mash. “We need not shy away “Pennsylvania is 47th out of 50 $90 million back. from that.” Getting our money states in funding higher educa- back will be a complex effort in- Ken Mash, tion,” said Mash. “Getting back In addition to endorsing Wolfe, volving many avenues. But, it will President the $90 million (Gov. Corbett Mash said, “We need to be smart help move all of the PASSHE uni- State took away) will drive almost about endorsing (other state) versities forward, rid us of the APSCUF everything we do at the state level. We will focus on that candidates. We endorse Republi- need to retrench faculty (which is main problem like a laser cans and Democrats. Not crazy happening at four of our schools) beam.” Republicans or crazy Democrats. and to negate the need to delete If they show us they care about programs (which is happening to Mash spoke for 30 minutes or higher education, we’ll look very foreign languages, music, and so at Cal U’s APSCUF general closely” at what they can do for philosophy programs at some meeting session on 23 Sep- us. schools.) tember 2014. It was his first visit to California University and “We are already Aligning APSCUF more closely Mash said we are already prepar- he confessed he was im- preparing with larger unions like AFL-CIO ing ourselves for the upcoming pressed with how the campus ourselves for the looks, calling it a “gorgeous and PSEA will allow a bigger contract negotiations. APSCUF upcoming contract campus.” mouthpiece for getting across the has rehired Stuart Davidson as negotiations. It message of getting our money lead negotiator. It could be one could be one of the Mash’s remarks centered on back, said Mash. Increasing our of the toughest negotiations we toughest two major topics – the upcom- CAP participation will allow have faced, said Mash. But we negotiations we ing Governor’s election and the APSCUF to spend it by supporting are in a better position now than have faced. Last upcoming contract. APSCUF candidates who, once elected, during our last go round. “Last time, it was about was the first public union to will give us reasonable access to time, it was about survival,” said survival...This time, endorse candidate Tom Wolfe get our message across. And, Mash. “This time, it’s about mov- it’s about moving during the primary season. Mash said getting out the mes- ing forward.” forward.” Now, said Mash, “We need to, sage to the general public (and first and foremost, do all we elected officials) that faculty As state APSCUF President, Mash can to get Tom Wolfe elected. across the state are involved in is visiting all 14 campuses to Why? Because it’s the right many positive efforts to make our both get acquainted and to get thing to do and it’s the self- communities and our state a bet- across his laser beam message: serving thing to do.” Mash ter place can only help the give us back our money. noted Wolfe has, all along sup- elected folks look more favorably did you know…?

APSCUF Bylaws. Section 2. General Functions of Committees. Each committee will select a chairperson and a secretary from its membership. A copy of the minutes of each committee will be filed with the local APSCUF office. Each committee chair is responsible for either making an oral report of committee activities at each regular Chapter meeting or filing a written report of the activities with the Chapter president General Functions before each regular Chapter meeting. Committees will meet as often as needed but of in no event less than once each term. It shall be the responsibility of the chair to call Committees committee meetings.

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Legislative/CAP Committees Update by Doug Brown Retrenchment Five universities announced During the ‘11 – ‘12 fiscal year, Due to the lack of funding, over possible retrenchment. The Governor Corbett slashed 900 PASSHE positions universities are: Cheyney, Clar- the budget for the State have been frozen or elimi- ion, Edinboro, East Strouds- System by $90 million, nated, over 160 programs burg, and Mansfield. APSCUF and the System has been have been cut or placed APSCUF Legislative is working on a strategy to stop flat funded since. under a moratorium, and and CAP Commit- any retrenchment plans. tuition has increased by tees: APSCUF issued the following In 2013, multiple PASSHE uni- 15 percent. Melanie Blumberg; press release today in response versities announced the Sheri Boyle; Gary to retrenchment letters: largest program elimina- In the last five years, funding to DeLorenzo; Craig Potential Faculty Retrenchment tion and faculty layoff plan PASSHE has been cut at a Fox; Joe Heim; is about Funding, Not Realign- in the System’s history, rate 18 times the national Ayanna Lyles; Bill ment citing declines in state average. Meloy, Chair CAP; The following information is funding as a major factor. Mary O’Connor, from APSCUF’s Budget Fact- Pennsylvania ranks 47th in Chair Legislative sheet: The 2014-‘15 budget keeps funding for public higher Committee; Emily Sustained Funding Cuts Have cuts in place by funding education per $1,000 of Sweitzer, Tony Compromised Quality and Af- only PASSHE’s E&G appro- personal income and 48th Rodi. fordability priation at $412.8 million. in funding per capita.

Grell Plan Reviewed By PERC, Pension Reform Most Likely Dead until Fall 2014 The Public Employee Retire- age retirement benefits by 50 that there is a carve-out in his ment Commission held a hear- percent compared to existing plan that allows faculty to con- ing on Representative Grell's plans. The SERS component is tinue to participate in Alterna- cash-balance pension plan at expected to do the same. tive Retirement Plans like TIAA- “The actuarial the end of June 2014. In this One component of the plan is a CREF at the 9.29 employer case, it is proposed as a gut- $9 billion pension obligation contribution rate. He has been analysis of the and-replace amendment to bond. This is recognition from helpful in ensuring these re- PSERS House Bill 1353 (the Kamp bill Representative Grell that the mains an option. In fact, when component with the Tobash Plan currently state needs to make up for the the PERC Chair mistakenly said amended into it.) decade of not funding the pen- there was no carve-out in the shows it would sion System. However, the meeting, Representative Grell cut average Grell's plan substantially re- Governor's office attached a made sure to point out to me retirement duces retirement benefits for memo to the PERC note detail- that it is, in fact, in the amend- future employees by switching ing the costs of the bond. It ment. I also confirmed this benefits by 50 them from a traditional DB would also not be popular through PASSHE and a TIAA- percent [defined benefit] plan to a plan amongst conservative mem- CREF representative. that simply guarantees a return bers because it creates a fixed compared to rate on employer/employee debt to be paid out of the Gen- With House Republicans di- existing plans.” contributions. The balance of eral Fund. This, along with vided over pension, it is unlikely an individual's account at re- further tapering of the pension that a plan will be coalesced tirement is then annuitized, collars, is controversial to mem- around in the near future. We, taken out as a lump sum, or a bers. along with other unions, are little of both. The actuarial continuing to talk to legislators analysis of the PSERS compo- It should be noted that Repre- to make sure labor is part of nent shows it would cut aver- sentative Grell has made sure any conversation, especially if a plan gains traction.

Paycheck Deception

Mr. Tomalis It is the consensus of unions that the paycheck deception issue remains dead. However, there is resigned as fear that it could come up in a post-election sine die session. Education Advisor to Corbett, Higher Education Advisor Tomalis under the Microscope August 26, News outlets reported on questions surrounding the work activity of former Education Secretary Ron 2014 Tomalis. Tomalis left his spot as Education Secretary under Corbett but was given a special role as Corbett's Higher Education Advisor at a salary near $140,000. An RTKL [Right to Know Law] request produced documents that showed very little activity. Tomalis has since resigned from the position. The Voice of the Faculty and Coaches Page 7

New Pending Legislation The Rep. Roae bill which increases faculty workload to 15 credit hours in order to receive overload has still not been introduced. After the committee voted to oppose the bill, we submitted a letter asking members not to cosponsor.

The Rep. Moul bill moving all higher education collars to student vouchers has also not been intro- IT’S YOUR FUTURE. duced.

PA 2014 General Midterm Elections — Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Important Dates to Remember…

October 2014 Dates

Last Day to Register to Vote in November General Election October 06, 2014

October 28, 2014 Deadline for Civilians to Request an Absentee Ballot Deadline for Civilians to Return Absentee Ballots October 31, 2014

November 2014 Dates REGISTER. WHEN: 9/29/14 to 10/02/14

WHERE: Natali Student Center YOU DECIDE.

November General Election Day November 4, 2014

Voting at the Polls in Pennsylvania on Election Day - Poll Hours: 7:00 AM-8:00 PM To apply for absentee ballots, register to vote, find your polling place, and more use the PA Dept. of State Voter Services Portal. To vote in the November election, registered voters are not required to Donate to APSCUF show a photo ID. New voters must show an acceptable proof of identification. CAP now to APSCUF Endorsed Candidates for State-wide and local races: support these and future candidates Governor Tom Wolf who support APSCUF goals and Lt. Governor Mike Stack priorities. The best option is Voluntary Payroll Deduction Pennsylvania Senate so your donation continues. One- District 32 Deb Kula time donations District 42 Wayne Fontana can be made by District 46 Tim Solobay credit card through APSCUF’s Pennsylvania House of Representatives* PayPal account . District 19 Jake Wheatley District 20 Adam Ravenstahl District 21 Dom Costa District 34 Paul Costa District 35 Marc Gergely *State house dis- District 36 Harry Readshaw tricts are new for District 38 Bill Kortz 2014. See the new District 39 Lisa Stoudt-Bashioum district boundaries District 42 Dan Miller at http:// District 45 Nick Kotik www.redistricting.sta District 46 Jesse White te.pa.us/Maps/ District 48 Brandon Neuman House.cfm District 49 Pete Daley District 50 Pam Snyder CAP helps promote District 51 Tim Mahoney quality education. District 52 AJ Boni District 58 Ted Harhai The Voice of the Faculty and Coaches Page 8

Legislative and CAP Committees Update (cont.) by Mary O’Connor, Bill Meloy

HB 2075 &2076 -AP credit Incentives for Students. This adopt a gambling policy to gov- transfer. Senator Roebuck's bill bill provides for academic ex- ern students on campus that (H.B. 2076) passed the House cellence scholarships for per- may include establishing gam- on Monday Sept. 23, 2014. HB sons entering a college or uni- bling rules related to gambling 2076 would require Pennsyl- versity within this Common- acts that are considered viola- vania public colleges and uni- wealth and for powers and du- tions and what disciplinary versities, including community ties of the Pennsylvania Higher actions will be applied to viola- colleges, to award academic Education Assistance Agency. tors; promoting campus- Rep. credit to post-secondary stu- community collaborations that James R. dents who have obtained a Senate Bills 1403 and 1404 – focus on reducing problems Roebuck sufficient score in exams for with gambling; encouraging Advanced Placement, the Inter- College Savings Plans. SB adjustments in disciplinary national Baccalaureate Di- 1403. Amends the Tuition actions applied to violators of ploma or College-Level Exami- Account Programs (TAP) and gambling rules if students seek nation program. The bill would College Savings Bond Act to assistance from health or coun- build on the benefits of college “Senator cover community colleges and seling services; and measuring the 14 universities in the State savings plans allowed under student attitudes, behaviors Roebuck's bill System of Higher Education. current law by extending the and problems with gambling protections of current Pennsyl- (H.B. 2076) through campus surveys or by Senate Bill 1433-P.I.F. for vania law to any college savings incorporating such measures plan a Pennsylvania family has passed the STEM. Senator Rob Teplitz’s bill into existing campus health- chosen, regardless of the spon- related surveys. House on would completely pay for a soring entity, and providing that Monday Sept. student’s tuition when they assets in any college savings attend a Pennsylvania institu- plan will be excluded from stu- HB2351 – Penalties for Terror- istic Threats. This proposed 23, 2014. The tion of higher education while dent loan and aid eligibility legislation amends Titles 18 bill would cover determinations for any pro- participating in an approved (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 Science, Technology, Engineer- grams administered by an community agency of the Commonwealth (Judiciary and Judicial Proce- ing and Math (STEM) Program. dure) of the Pennsylvania Con- colleges and of Pennsylvania. SB 1404 The students must also agree amends the Tax Reform Code solidated Statutes, in assault, the 14 to stay in Pennsylvania for a to build on the incentive of a further providing for terroristic threats; and, in magisterial universities in short period of time after 2006 legislation that provides district judges, further providing graduation. The initial funding tax deduction for individuals the State for jurisdiction and venue. for STEM HELP will be the bor- contributing to a college sav- ings plan – regardless of which System of rowing of $50 million, which college savings plan they chose would be submitted as a ques- Higher for their contribution. tion to the electors as a state- FIND YOUR LEGIS- Education.” LATOR - Click on link wide referendum. HB2410 – Gambling Policy. Institutions of higher education to find your legislator! SB747 – Performance-Based shall individually develop and

APSCUF Voter Registration Drive

APSCUF faculty participated in the Campus Vote Project by sponsoring a successful Voter Registration Drive in front of the Natali Student Center from Sep- tember 29 thru October 2, 2014. The kiosk provided information for registration, absentee ballots, and poll- https:// ing locations. Faculty members Bill Meloy and Keat www.pavoterservic (pictured left to right) es.state.pa.us/ Murray Pages/ along with Rick Cumings, SurePortal- Loring Prest, Kim Vanderlaan, Home.aspx Derek Gray, Kevin Lordon, and Peter Cormas, volunteered their time during the week to promote the project.

The Voice of the Faculty and Coaches Page 9

APSCUF Cal U Leadership

Executive Council Barbara Hess, President Craig Smith, Vice President Elizabeth Mason, Secretary Richard LaRosa, Treasurer Burrell Brown, State EC Arcides Gonzalez, Delegate Laura Hummell, Delegate Lisa Kovalchick, Delegate Mary Popovich, Delegate Rick Bertagnolli, Coaches Delegate Jason Kight, Alternate Anthony Rodi, Alternate “Each committee will TBD, Coaches Alternate Mario Majcen, Alternate Roy Yarbrough, Alternate select a chairperson and Gwendolyn Perry-Burney, Alternate Brian Wood, Alternate a secretary from its membership. A copy of APSCUF would like to thank our dedicated committee members — we couldn’t make such an im- the minutes of each pact without your hard work! committee will be filed with the local APSCUF Committees office. Each committee chair is responsible for

either making an oral Mary O’Connor, Chair, Legislative report of committee Bill Malloy, Chair, CAP activities at each regular Craig Smith, Chair, Membership and Chair, Student Scholarship Chapter meeting or filing Margaret Christopher, Chair, Social Justice/Gender Equity a written report of the Mary Ann Salotti and Carolyn Wass, Co-chairs, Retirement activities with the Mary Kreis, Sick Leave Bank Chapter president before Laura Giachetti, Chair, Social each regular Chapter Rick Cumings, Chair, Newsletter and Public Relations, Student Faculty Liaison meeting. Committees will Marc Federico, Chair, Nominations and Election meet as often as needed Mary Popovich, Chair, Temporary Faculty but in no event less than Joseph Schwerha, Chair, Distance Education once each term. It shall Anthony (Tony) Lazzaro, APSCURF President (retired faculty) be the responsibility of Elizabeth Larsen, Chair, Grievance the chair to call Swarn Gill, Chair, Promotion committee meetings.” William Biddington, Chair, Curriculum

Clarissa Confer, Chair, Sabbatical * Article VII, Section 2, Glenn Hider and Barbara Hess, Chairs, Mobilization p.9, APSCUF Bylaws

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Meet and Discuss Agenda

Meet and Discuss Dixon Hall

APSCUF—Management Meet and Discuss Tuesday, September 24, 2014

A. Action items (the following are topics that need immediate action or discussion):

1. Travel policy – note this has been an action item from previous M&D meetings The Executive A. Call for a summary or cheat sheet for faculty Council will B. Call for 15 day reimbursement 2. UWCC written policy – note this has been an action item from previous M&D meet monthly A. Draft proposal with the B. Call for draft of expected class sizes University 3. Course Caps President or A. Discussion of how class size compares to other PASSHE schools. B. Discussion of overriding course caps designee for the C. Earth Sciences – Severe weather purpose of 4. Evaluation Update discussing A. Call for public administrator report of revising evaluations B. Concerns from the Communication department over online student evaluations matters of 5. President’s presence at Meet and Discuss education policy A. When will president attend? and B. Call for faculty forum where faculty can ask questions of the president. 6. SAP training development as well as the CBA.* B. Information Requests

* Article VI, Section 1, 1. Desktop Computer Administrator Privileges p.7, APSCUF Bylaws A. How long will pilot be? B. Who are the pilot faculty? C. How will results of pilot be assessed and how will the results be disseminated? D. Rotation plan for replacement of faculty office pcs 2. Faculty searches A. How many and in what department? B. Were any searches cancelled? 3. Strategic Plan A. When will draft plan be made public? B. How will faculty have input? 4. Workforce Development Plan A. Request a copy of the plan B. Request definitions of low enrolled programs and high needs areas C. Request for faculty input 5. Parking problems A. Does the parking committee still exist? B. To whom do faculty report parking problems? C. Future Action

APSCUF 1. UWPC policy guideline updates represents A. UMPC reports that they have revised everything except the teaching scoring guide. more than 2. APSCUF president on the agenda for COT – Article 9 F 6,000 Coaches D. Reports/Updates: and Faculty 1. Shared Governance 2. BUD report – no change in faculty FTE over the past several years The Voice of the Faculty and Coaches Page 11

Faculty Promotions

Congratulations on your Promotion!

To the rank of Professor To the rank of Associate Professor

Mark Aune Justin Barroner Mohamed Benbourenane Jeffrey Hatton Congratulations Holly Diehl Jason Kight to our 2014 faculty Kelton Edmonds Richard LaRosa promotees Lisa Kovalchick Min Li Christine Peterson Marta McClintock-Comeaux Jeffrey Samide Vanessa MacKinnon Robert Skwarecki William Meloy Norma Thomas Christina Toras Margo Wilson

Welcome New Faculty

Dr. Lindsey McGuire, Assistant Professor Department of Health Science

Dr. Theresa Thao Pham, Assistant Professor Department of Social Work “We look forward to more events like Dr. Ambrus Price, Assistant Professor this which gets Department of History and Political Science the message to students and the entire Cal U APSCUF Faculty Welcoming Back Students with Hydration Kiosk community Over 700 students strolling in front of the Student Union received free water from several swel- about who APSCUF is tering but smiling APSCUF professors on Wednesday and Friday during the second week of and that we care classes. Temperatures soared into the high 80s, but that didn’t stop faculty from tracking down about more than passersby and thrusting (mostly) cold water bottles into hot hands, letting students know the just contracts.” free bottle came from their faculty. Move-in Day is the normal time for APSCUF folks to pass out the water, but schedules did not allow it. President Barb Hess suggested we do it another time . . . and the week after Labor Day proved a hit. Kids looked surprised but pleased as they walked away clutching the bottles. For those faculty who volunteered their time to participate in the effort, a huge Thank You is warranted: Rick Cumings, Laura Giachetti, Barbara Hess, Laura Hummell, Kurt Kearcher, Jason Kight, Lisa Kovalchick, Kevin Lordon, Cerenna Sealy.

We look forward to more events like this which gets the message to students and the entire Cal U community about who APSCUF is and that we care about more than just contracts. The Voice of the Faculty and Coaches Page 12

APSCUF California University of Our Mission Pennsylvania www.apscuf.org APSCUF works on behalf of student and faculty 135 Keystone Hall, Box 22 The Voice interests to provide the highest quality education of Quality 250 University Avenue at the most reasonable cost by ensuring a Public California , PA 15419 diversity of programs are available, taught by first class professors who strive for the pursuit of Higher Phone: 724-9384293 educational excellence. Education Fax:724-938-5764 E-mail:[email protected]

Publisher — APSCUF Cal U Find us on the web at Chapter President — Barbara Hess www.apscuf.org/univerities/ Editor — Rick Cumings Ph.D california Contact — Ken Smelko, Office Manager, 724-938-4293

The Online Resource for Pennsylvania Faculty Health and Welfare Fund Members

Find Health and Welfare Facts At

http://www.pafac.com 717-233-4776

APSCURF at Cal U Meeting Dates Retiring from teaching doesn't mean you retire from APSCUF

and the important activities of our Executive Council: Legislative Assembly: Meet and Discuss: association. Whether you're think-

February 6-8, 2014 ing about retiring in the near fu- February 11, 2014 February 18, 2014 ture, or are already retired, 11:00 AM, Keystone Hall, Wyndam Inn Gettysburg, PA APSCURF was created for you. Conference Room 212 March 27, 2014 APSCURF offers a wealth of activi- April 15, 2014 April 24-28, 2014 April 22, 2014 ties and benefits, while keeping 11:00 AM, Steele Hall, Toftrees you connected to the people and Conference Room M-110 State College, PA September 24, 2014 the profession that are so impor- tant to you.

September 9, 2014 September 18-20, 2014 October 16, 2014

11:00 AM, Keystone Hall, Holiday Inn East Harrisburg, PA Conference Room 212 November 20. 2014

February 5-7, 2015 Anthony Lazzaro, President October 9, 2014 Cal U APSCURF 11:00 AM, Keystone Hall, Wyndam Inn Conference Room 212 Gettysburg, PA For meeting dates contact Tony at November 13, 2014 April 23-25, 2015 11:00 AM, Dixon Hall, 724-785-4778 11:00 AM, Keystone Hall, Toftrees Conference Room 327. or email Conference Room 212 State College, PA [email protected]