In This Issue:

• Jon Butler Honoree
• Community College Rally
• Proposed Bylaw changes

RICHARD NAGLE TO BE HONORED Dr. Richard W. Nagle

The Fifth Annual Jon G. Butler Memorial Award for outstanding chapter president will be awarded at the MCCC Delegate Assembly on Saturday, April 22, 1989. This award was established in Fall, 1984 in honor of Jon Butler, former chapter president at North Shore Community College, former MCCC Research Coordinator, and outspoken and active proponent of unit members' rights. This year's recipient is Richard W. Nagle, an Assistant Professor of Economics at Massasoit Community College. He received a B.A. in History from Stonehill College, an M.A. in History from the University of Rhode Island, and a Ph.D. in Labor History from Penn State. Prior to becoming a full-time instructor at Massasoit in 1982, Nagle taught part time for Massasoit and worked for the City of Brockton in the CETA program. In 1984, the newly elected chapter president, Dr. V. Conor Johnston, asked Richard Nagle to become grievance officer for the Massasoit Faculty Association, which he accepted. His first year proved to be very busy as a number of grievances were filed concerning evaluations and the use of code words which were unknown to unit members. In the next year, however, things improved. The number of grievances declined, the union won the evaluation issue in arbitration, and the code words were withdrawn. Though the first two years were busy, they did not prove as disconcerting as Nagle's notice of non reappointment. During Nagle's first year as grievance officer Nagle received a letter of termination. He grieved, and the MCCC filed a prohibited practice charge with the Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission. The Commission issued a complaint against the college, and within a short time after the issuance of the complaint, Nagle's nonreappointment was rescinded. 'Because of my firing and the labor relations case, there was no way I was going to quit as grievance chair. I had to show that I was not intimidated." Conor Johnston, chapter president at the time, said, "It was such a hectic time, and in the middle of it all, our grievance chair got terminated. Richard had a quiet courage throughout those two years. His honesty and enormous understanding of the contract was invaluable. He made himself available to the membership and worked very hard." Nagle continued as grievance chair under the new chapter leadership in 1986, and in 1987, he became chapter president. During his two years as chapter president, Nagle also remained grievance officer as volunteers were in short supply. "I decided to do both positions as I believe that there is nothing more vital to the health of the chapter than the grievance officer. It is that person's responsibility to insure that management abide by the articles of the contract." Nagle opened the union office and spent two mornings a week in Brockton and one morning on the Canton campus. "At Canton I tried to make the members feel involved in the Association. I also wanted to make myself available on both campuses so that unit members who wanted to talk to me could do so." Another strength of his presidency was that he paid attention to details and tried to make sure that the contract was always observed. Carol Sokolowski, who has served with Nagle these past two years - first as MFA Secretary and presently as MFA Vice President - said, "Richard's calm, reasoned approach to any difficulties between union and management has earned the respect of both sides. He is immensely knowledgeable about our contract and is always prepared with the history of its past interpretations. More than just the Unit Leader, he is the Friend-in-Need to any unit member, and a wonderful friend to have." Nagle sees the role of chapter president being limited because of time constraints. "The chapter president is the spokesperson for the faculty and professional staffs' rights and interests. In the role of a union officer, the president must think about the welfare of the unit members and make sure their rights are not compromised. Though the union should probably take an interest in enhancing the memberships' academic life, I did not take on that role as chapter president. I felt it was my job to make sure that the contract was upheld. Chapter presidents should probably be more actively involved in being advocates for public education within the local community like speaking at public forums, writing to newspapers, or responding to radio stations. I think there should be more of a fraternal interest in all segments of education, kindergarten through graduate school. However, like for all of us, there is just not enough time." As Nagle ends his chapter presidency, he reflected on the job of chapter president. "The statewide component of the organization is most important. Because there is one community college contract with the regents, the purpose of the local is to follow the precepts of the statewide agreement. As a chapter president I get guidelines from the MCCC leadership, and I am accountable to the MCCC because of that statewide agreement. It is a fact of life, and this is not designed to be a detriment. It prevents chapter inequities and diversions and helps keep the organization unified." As Nagle ends his tenure as chapter president, he prepares to take on another activity in the union. In addition to continuing as a member of the MCCC Finance Committee, he has been appointed to the Negotiating Team for the 1989-1992 contract.

Community College Students, Faculty, and Staff Spend the Day Lobbying for Education
"...The community colleges are the hope and opportunity of the future..."	MARCH 21, 1989 The buses began arriving around 9 a.m. in front of the State House. By 11 a.m. hundreds of students, faculty, administrators and trustees had arrived from the fifteen community colleges to participate in the celebration of the community colleges. They all picked up their "I'm a community college lover" pins for themselves and mugs for their legislators and headed off in small groups to visit their representatives and senators. An expertly produced booklet, The Community College: Gateway to the American Dream, which provided highlights of each community college and information on how community colleges impact the Massachusetts economy, was also given to each legislator. Everyone returned for the 11:30 start of the program in Nurses Hall where college banners hung around the periphery, television monitors were in every corner of this hall and the adjacent Doric Hall, and the jazz band from North Shore Community College swung the program open. Welcoming everyone and deftly keeping the speakers and the program on schedule, James Murphy, Chair of the Trustees Association, served as the master of ceremonies. Nurses Hall overflowed up the stairs and around the balcony while Governor Dukakis began the program with his reiteration of the importance of the community colleges and a presentation of a proclamation of recognition. Remarks were then made by Sen. William Bulger, Rep. Richard Voke, Education Committee chairs, Rep. Nick Paleologos and Sen. Sal Albano, former Education Chair and presently Taxation Committee Chair, Sen. Richard Kraus, Lt. Gov. Evelyn Murphy, MCCC President James Rice, MTA President Roseann Bacon, and Middlesex Community College student, Michael Donovan. The speaking program was accented with a skillfully edited and produced 12-minute video on community colleges featuring former, present, and future students, business people, and glimpses of life in the community college world. Carl Baylis, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Quinsigamond Community College, ended the speaking program reminding everyone that "You are no better off than you were an hour ago. You must keep their [the legislators] feet to the fire The North Shore Community College combo then swung the program closed, and everyone moved into Doric Hall for sandwiches with a backdrop of the video playing on the monitors. Prior to buses departing around 2-2:30, everyone continued to visit their legislators. In assessing this lobby day, MCCC Jim Rice stated in his remarks that, "This is the first time in my twenty-year career as a community college professor that the key players ... trustees, administrators, faculty, professional staff, and students have joined together in a successful venture." Though representatives from all fifteen community colleges participated in this eventful day, the realization lingers that in order to have all the words turned into actions, pressure must remain on all the legislators throughout the budget process. Representative Paleologos held up his "I'm a community college lover" mug and said, "My cup runneth over with support for the community colleges Though symbolic of his long-standing support for the community colleges and education, that enthusiasm must be infused into the naysayers who refuse to support higher education. A SPECIAL THANKS TO FRANK HIRONS, TONY CHERUBINI, VIN IALENTI, AND JOE STISO FROM MT. WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND TO ALL THE OTHER VOLUNTEERS WHO WORKED HARD ON THIS DAY.	"...Our classrooms are on the campuses, in the workplace, and in the community..."

	Foreground, left to right: Anthony Ross, Dir. Higher Education, MTA, Roseann Bacon, MTA President, Brenda Boleyn (with hat) Cape Cod CC, President Kay Sloane, Green field CC, and Rep. Stan Rosenberg.	From Massasoit CC, left to right: James Murphy, Asst. Dean of Student Services, students: Maureen Carmoisino, Bozena Pietras, Ruth Moore, Judy Drew, Robert Bodo, and Joseph Graham, and Edwin Monteiro, Director of Student Activities.
From Mt. Wachusett CC, left to right: Prof. Carl Tammi, Paul Susen, Dean of Academic Affairs, President Daniel Asquino, James Murphy, Trustees Association Chair, and Frank Hirons, Asst. to President for Public Relations.	Left to right: Erik A. Johnson, student trustee, Betty Loring, editor of student newspaper, Bill Frost and Jim LeBarre, all from Massasoit CC.	From Berkshire CC, left to right back row: Michael Bullock, Prof. Art Phinney, Prof. Daniel Minneci, Prof. Jan Kroboth, and Fred Hansen, Trustee. Front row: Prof. Dane Olsted, Nancy Walker, Librarian, Prof. Joan Johnson, Phyllis Lord, Division Chair of Nursing, and Prof. Thylene Farrell.
Left to right: Andy Robinson, Dir. Student Activities, Cape Cod CC, Prof. Dan LaRose, Greg Andrews, student trustee, Merry! Sackin, Dir. Student Activities, and Prof. Wilson Roberts, all of Green field CC.	Left to right: Governor Michael Dukakis. Sitting: Sen. Sal Albano, Lt. Gov. Evelyn Murphy, Rep. Nick Paleologos, and MCCC President James Rice, Quinsigamond CC.

 

NOTA BENE

• The MCCC will have a Legislative Reception at the Women's City Club of Boston on Thursday afternoon, May 11, 1989. All members of the legislature are invited, and the chapter leadership will have an opportunity to speak to representatives and senators from their districts and to thank the legislators who have been supportive of higher education. This reception is partially funded through a grant from the MTA. • On May 18 and 19, 1989, NEA will sponsor a regional higher education conference. All higher education locals from the six New England states will be invited, and the focus of the conference will be on legislation and legislative action in these states. Time and place are as yet unknown, but notice should sent within the next two weeks. If you have any questions, call MTA Division of Higher Education, 1-800-392-6175.

ROUND TWO: BUDGET DEBATE IN SENATE

The budget is now being debated in the Senate. It is critical that the excellent work that everyone did during the House debate continue in the Senate. Everyone is urged to call their senators. Tell them that you not only would like them to support funding for higher education and local aid, but that they must go to the Senators on the Ways and Means Committee and urge the committee senators to make sure there is money in the budget to adequately fund these important areas. Once the debate ends in the Ways and Means Committee, then calls should be again made to your senators urging their support of these issues when they come onto the Senate floor.

COLLEGE CALENDAR

May 11 MCCC Legislative Reception, Women's City Club of Boston May 12-13 MTA Annual Meeting May 19 NEA Regional Higher Education Conference

PROPOSED BYLAW CHANGES

Five bylaw changes will be voted on at the MCCC Annual Meeting. The following is the result of the Bylaws and Rules Committee and the Board of Directors vote on each bylaw: Proposed Change #1: For purposes of election to the Delegate Assembly and the Board of Directors, and of the officers of the Council and chapter officers, an adjunct member [part-time unit member] shall have a vote equal to one-fourth that of a full-time member. No member may cast more than one vote in any election. Bylaws and Rules Committee: Recommends. Board of Directors: Recommends. Proposed Change #2: All MCCC officers will be elected to three-year terms and may succeed themselves in office once, effectively limiting them to six years in any given office. Current officers would be excluded from this provision. Bylaws and Rules Committee: Does not recommend. Board of Directors: Does not recommend. Proposed Change #3: The Day Negotiating Team's term of office shall end upon the expiration date of an agreement (Section 6). Continuing Education Negotiating Team: The Board of Directors shall appoint a negotiating team for the Continuing Education Unit, when necessary, and the Negotiating Team shall develop an initial negotiations package in conjunction with the Board of Directors. Bylaws and Rules Committee: Recommends. Board of Directors: Recommends. Proposed Change #4: After an initial search and interviews, the [MCCC] executive Committee will present to the Board of Directors two more candidates than the number of members who are to serve on the Negotiating Team. These candidates will then be interviewed by the Board of Directors who will determine the final make-up of the Team. The search for a pool of candidates for the Team will be conducted by a widely advertised, and extravagant attempt at finding and recruiting candidates. Bylaws and Rules Committee: Does not recommend. Board of Directors: Does not recommend. Proposed Change #5: The Negotiating Team shall be chosen by the Board of Directors after it has given at least three months notice of vacancies to the membership, and after as a body it has interviewed all applicants at either a special or regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting. Bylaws and Rules Committee: Does not recommend. Board of Directors: Does not recommend.

Know Your Contract

Apr. 26	Submit preferred class schedules for Fall, 1989
Apr. 28	Notice of tentative courses for Fall, 1989
May 1	Recommendations of tenure or one-year appointments to Trustees
May 10	Submit Student Advisement and College Service forms
May 21	Notice of tenure or one-year appointments from president

N.B. Dates may vary depending on first day of classes. Also, most of these dates are "last date" standards.
In many instances, the action can he accomplished before the date indicated.