Fall 2020 - Vol. XL, No. 1

Have a question about our

Inside this issue… collective bargaining agreement ? • President’s Corner Contact Contract Administrator Niti Pandey • Social Justice Scholar Strike [email protected] or 860-465-5048 • Interfolio Training • Political Campaigns Have a question about a grievance ? • Webinar Summaries Contact Grievance Officer Lyndsey Lanagan-Leitzel • Pandemic Silver Linings [email protected] or 860-465-5065

see different protocols across our public and private President’s Corner institutions. This means that individual institutions have a great deal of latitude to decide what operating safely by Nicole Krassas during a pandemic means. It also means that the state has (Political Science) not had to do anything to shore up the staff of local health

departments who are inundated right now. In practice this Colleagues, means that those health departments are not following First, let me thank you for taking the time to catch up with through and contacting Eastern when a student who gets union news while we are all working harder and juggling tested off campus tests positive. We are relying on those more stresses than ever. It has been difficult the past few students to self-report cases so that campus contact months to get ready for the new semester and to teach tracers can figure out who on our campus needs to be with the uncertainty of not knowing what tomorrow will informed. A situation that is concerning to say the least. bring. It has been a challenge to face obstacles while still All summer long, we saw mandate after mandate coming remaining thankful for the good in our lives. from the system office, many of which make no sense. For Our faculty, full and part-time, have sacrificed much and instance, the system office claims there is no need to let a shown their dedication and creativity in their effort to bring faculty member know if a student who attended an in- quality educational experiences to our students during this person class tested positive for COVID-19. Their rationale pandemic. Many of our students are deeply appreciative of was that if everyone was wearing a mask, there was no risk our efforts. I am sure we all remain thankful that the of infection. We all know that is not true, especially if we infection rate on Eastern’s campus appears low and that are teaching in science or computer labs where we cannot few of us have received the email that a student in one of easily stay six feet from our students. Personally, I am our in-person classes tested positive for COVID-19. thankful that Eastern’s administration has agreed to take a different approach, that they are providing us with the While there is certainly much to be thankful about, AAUP information and allowing us to make the decision to move remains concerned that the state and consequently the our classes online for two weeks after potential exposure. system office is making decisions that place finances above the safety of our campus communities. Because the state Over the summer, the Commissioner of the Department of has not issued clear guidelines for college campuses, we Public Health appeared at a Board of Regents (BOR)

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Eastern Connecticut State University meeting. At that meeting, she stated that there was no do not need to negotiate with us. It is only in the wake of need for systematic testing of everyone on the campus mass uprisings on our campuses that they have allowed because too much testing lulled people into a false sense some latitude. They issue regular threats to campus of security which would cause them to then act unsafely. administrations about giving in to the most reasonable of This statement had no basis in fact, but it gave the BOR demands, like being able to choose course modality. permission to test only a percentage of students living on Again, we are thankful that our administrators heard our campus. But, it was a convenient answer in a state facing concerns and came around on the question of course a budget shortfall and for the members of the BOR who are modality. They refuse to talk about Zoom, only backing facing budget challenges after spending the summer hiring down when we instituted an Academic Freedom numerous highly paid administrators, many of whom have complaint. That matter is still pending, stay tuned about equivalent staff on the campuses. being thankful on that one.

Now that the BOR’s hiring spree has finished, they have It is also clear that the system office is trying to restrict the instituted a system wide hiring freeze on the campuses ability of faculty to assert their rights in the contract and claiming budgetary constraints. In addition, Ben Barnes would like to use upcoming negotiations to change our (the system CFO) reached out to AAUP and the other conditions of work. We are hearing disturbing reports unions in the system to see if they would be willing to coming from the system office that they think certain negotiate givebacks before we start our contract aspects of the contract can be ignored. This is negotiations in in a few months. AAUP is appalled that unacceptable and AAUP is thankful, yet again, that while it they could hire more than 30 people at six figure salaries may be hard for us to change existing contract language if (many making over $200,000 per year) and then turn the other side is not agreeable, it is equally hard for them. around to starve the campuses and lower level employees. We are also thankful that our membership has remained The system office functioned just fine before the hiring faithful, allowing us to have the means (through paying spree and it is disingenuous for them to ask us to tighten dues) to fight the legal battles which are expensive. our belts and give up wages when they are unwilling to do the same. Instead of being focused on the health and So, amidst all the challenges, I want to say finally, that I am safety of the students and employees at our colleges and thankful that we are such a strong, vibrant and diverse universities, the system office has been working hard to community here at Eastern. In the last six months, I have consolidate power and commit their budget during a crisis communicated with more of my colleagues (full and part to high paid administrators, none of whom are being time) than ever before. The faculty have been amazing in required to come to work in person. In other words, they their commitment to our students, their creativity and have chosen to support their agenda over health and safety their willingness to serve. It has been remarkable to bear on our campuses. This situation is disturbing to say the witness to. least. Certainly, we could have functioned as we did In Solidarity, before, without the new hires, and redirected some of the money to make sure our campuses are safe during these Nicole unprecedented times or to deal with the budget shortfall caused by low enrollments. If you have questions or comments for AAUP, please contact Nicole Krassas via The system office has proved unwilling to negotiate basic email at: [email protected] terms of returning to work, or basic health and safety issues. They set up meetings with Patty O’Neill, the four campus AAUP president, and then stand resolute that they Not a member of AAUP yet? Click here to join!

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Eastern Connecticut State University

through Netflix, on Sunday, October 4 at 8 – 9 pm. Please contact David Pelligrini or Anna Kirchmann for the link.

#ScholarStrike for Social Justice These other faculty members are also presenting on Racial/Social Justice within their courses this semester: David Stoloff (Education) Theresa Bouley, Education Catina V. Caban-Owen, Sociology In response to an August 28, 2020 call to faculty Anthony M. Cornicello, Performing Arts throughout the United States to focus on racial/social Brian Day, Performing Arts justice issues on September 8-9, 2020, Eastern Professors Ana L. Funes Maderey, Political Science, Philosophy, Brendan Cunningham, (Economics and Finance) and David Geography L. Stoloff (Education), called for faculty at Eastern to Stefan Kamola, History consider preparing video presentations for the Nicole Krassas, Political Science, Philosophy, Geography #ScholarStrike website, hosting teach-ins and featuring Raouf Mama, English discussions of social justice in their courses during the week Martín Mendoza-Botelho, Political Science, Philosophy, of September 7 - 12, 2020 or other times throughout the Geography fall semester. Kristen A. Morgan, Theater Arts Elena Sada, Education The following faculty members developed course Theresa A. Severance, Sociology materials and video presentations that may be viewed Sudha Swaminathan, Education online: DeRon S. Williams, Performing Arts

Cara Bergstrom-Lynch, Sociology Please contact the faculty members above to discuss how One Marriage, Two Realities. they are infusing racial/social justice issues in their courses. Other faculty members who would like to be added to a Brendan Cunningham, Economics and Finance more detailed list of courses where these issues are being "The Economics of Racism - a Review” - discussed, please contact David Stoloff –

Nicolas P. Simon, Sociology [email protected] . “Social Justice, Open Educational Resources, and

Open Pedagogy" – contact [email protected] to view.

David L. Stoloff, Education Interfolio Training Social Justice in Education - a presentation on the Nicole Krassas (Political Science) #ScholarStrike youtube website

Yulia Tikhonova, Director of the Eastern Art Gallery In case you had not heard, the Promotion, Tenure, Online presentation at the University Gallery - Racism: Renewal, and Professional Assessment processes will be The Other American Pandemic - using Interfolio, instead of Blackboard starting this fall.

Below is information provided by CIT regarding self-help Upcoming event open to the entire campus community: resources. If you need a one-on-one tutorial please book a Members of the Eastern Film Forum, a group of faculty and session with CIT. friends who have met since April 2020 to discuss international films, are inviting the university community Per CIT: Interfolio-provided training for all roles is now to an online discussion of 13TH, a documentary film on the available. This self-paced role-specific training is currently history of racial inequality in the United States, available

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Eastern Connecticut State University open to all faculty but will expire on October 31, 2020. slim majorities in districts where our faculty and students Access is presently hosted on the CIT SharePoint site. are constituents. But it’s not going to be enough to just send Democrats to the State Legislature: we need them to Candidates remember us and our students when the nasty budget fights begin in earnest. We can’t wait until December 1 to When prompted, use password: INTFso5 engage them. Start Candidate Training We ask union members if they can volunteer between now • For questions on the technical aspects of creating and election day to make phone calls or canvass door-to- portfolios, faculty may contact Interfolio directly door. In order to make sure that we maximize visibility with via email at [email protected] or by phone at the campaigns and candidates, we also need one person to (877) 997-8807. be the liaison for each campaign to help connect our • Questions regarding the portfolio content should members to the volunteer opportunities—no experience be directed to Nicole Krassas at necessary. We are sorting the membership lists according [email protected], or Lyndsey Lanagan- to legislative districts and will get those out to the Leitzel at [email protected], or to your DEC. campaign liaisons and campus officers. If you want to volunteer for a specific campaign or to be the liaison for Reviewers one of the campaigns, let Christine Guarnieri know at [email protected]. When prompted, use password: INTFso5 The following 8 campaigns are our targets: Start Reviewer Training Jorge Cabrera (Senate 17 v. George Logan) Ansonia, Chairs/Deans/Provost Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck, and Woodbridge. When prompted, use password: INTFso5 Dave Yaccarino (House 99 v. Joe Zullo) East Haven Start Committee Manager Training April Capone (Senate 34 v. —Senate Minority There is also a knowledgebase section called AAUP Leader is retiring) Durham, North Haven, Portfolio Manual, which also contains similar training Wallingford resources. Rick Lopes (Senate 6 v. Gennaro Bizzaro [no typo]—Lopes Interested in a Political Campaign? is currently in the House District 24) Newington, Nicole Krassas (Political Science) Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Cromwell, Middletown

Gary Turco (House 27 v. Michael Camillo) Newington From the CSU-AAUP Organizing Committee: (Senate 9 v. Richie Ruglio) Cromwell, Over the last few election cycles, CSU-AAUP members Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield have increased our participation and visibility in campaigns for state legislators. This year’s election is critical for all (Senate 24 v. Susan Chapman) Bethel, state employees: we have the opportunity to help our Danbury, New Fairfield, Sherman friends return to Hartford and to increase what are now

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Eastern Connecticut State University

Mae Flexer (Senate 29 v. Jessica Alba) Brooklyn, Canterbury, Killingly, Mansfield, Windham) The top 10 not so terrible things about teaching at Eastern during the pandemic…

10. Virtual backgrounds allow you to pretend you are relaxing on the beach, even though you are actually precariously perched on your toilet with a cardboard box as a desk because it’s the only available space in your house Webinar Summary AND the door locks. Lyndsey Lanagan-Leitzel (Psycological Science) 9. Commute went from 60 minutes to zero in 3 seconds Eastern AAUP Vice-President Lyndsey Lanagan-Leitzel flat. attended many seminars and workshops on a variety of 8. Cute furry guests in class without the itchy eyes and teaching and AAUP issues during "The Summer of the sneezing. Webinar". She has provided the following summary document for those who are interested in learning 7. Forget to brush your teeth? No worries! (Unless you’re more: https://tinyurl.com/2020SummerWebinarSummari wearing a mask because you’re teaching in person, then es. you DEFINITELY don’t want to forget to brush your teeth).

6. Quick responses to desperate, last-minute pleas for help with technology show you who your true friends are. Pandemic Silver Linings Amy Groth (Biology) 5. Eastern finally entered the 21st century with online forms I had originally envisioned writing a more serious column and saved literally 500 million trillion trees. about positive experiences people had experienced related 4. Recording lectures means no more students showing up to their jobs during the pandemic, but I ended up with this in office hours asking you to “tell me what I missed in top ten list instead. Most of these are humorous takes on class”. actual positive experiences people reported to me, and of course there are a lot of silver linings that I didn’t address 3. Can actually attend a conference on Eastern’s $1000 like more flexibility for child care or better student budget. Or two. Or three. engagement. One of my silver linings has been the way my network of friends have been there for me, so I’d like to 2. So much available parking that you drive from your thank them for their contributions. I’d also like to thank office in Webb to your class in Science, just because you Lyndsey Lanagan-Leitzel for her extensive list. The list is can. skewed towards teaching, but it is my sincere hope that all of you are able to find some silver linings during this crazy, 1. New work wardrobe: Business on the top, pjs on the chaotic time. bottom.

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Eastern Connecticut State University

ECSU-AAUP

Executive Committee Officers Department Liaison Network President: Nicole Krassas (PPG) Art & Art History – Anne Dawson (dawsona, x55117) Vice-President: Lyndsey Lanagan-Leitzel (PSY) Biology – Liz Cowles (cowlese, x54385) Secretary: Amy Groth (Biology) Business – Niki Kunene (kunenek, x50647) Treasurer: Anthony Cornicello (PAD) Coaches – Diana Pepin (pepind, x55182) Communication – Olugbenga Ayeni (ayenio, x50240) Past President Computer Science – Sarah Tasneem (tasneems, x50389) Luis Cordón (PSY Science) Economics – Maryanne Clifford (cliffordm, x55512) CSU-AAUP Council Members Education – Mark Fabrizi (fabrizim, x50659) Sarah Baires (Soc., Anth., Crim. and S.W.) English – Barbara Liu (liub, x54576) Elizabeth Cowles (Biology) EES – Steve Nathan (nathans, x55579) Niti Pandey (Business Administration) Ricardo Pérez (Soc., Anth., SW) History – Joan Mezner (meznerj, x54601) David Stoloff (Education) (alternate) KPE – Darren Robert (robertd, x55184) Library – Kris Jacobi (jacobikr, x54508) Contract Administrator Math. Sciences – Marsha Davis (davism, x54592) Niti Pandey (Business Administration) Performing Arts – David Pellegrini (pellegrinid, x55583) Grievance Officer Physical Sciences – Darrell Koza (kozad, x55346) Lyndsey Lanagan-Leitzel (PSY) PPG – Patrick Vitale (vitalep, x55248) Psych. Sciences – Luis Cordón (cordon, x55289) The Union Rag Editor Amy Groth (Biology) Soc., Anth., Crim. and S.W. – William Lugo (lugow, x50163) WLC – Kin Chan (chank, x55328) ECSU-AAUP Office Manager Christine Guarnieri Do you have a new Department Liaison? Or Science Building 452 maybe a new department? Email updated 83 Windham Street Willimantic, CT 06226 liaison information to Christine Guarnieri Phone: 860-465-5153 E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://www.ecsuaaup.org Want to write for the Union Rag ? Email Amy Groth (Editor)

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