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The Eleventh Annual Jon Butler Memorial Award for outstanding chapter president will be awarded to Carolyn Tetrault at the MCCC Delegate Assembly on Saturday, April 22, 1995.

Carolyn Tetrault

The MCCC established this award in the fall of 1984 to honor the memory of Jon Butler, a former chapter president from No. Shore Community College and the former MCCC Research Coordinator. This award recognizes leaders who possess the qualities and commitment Jon had as a leader and educator, and who are vocal and active proponents of unit members' rights.

Carolyn Tetrault, a professor of English at Springfield Technical Community College, began her active involvement in the union soon after she began teaching at STCC in 1970 and before the formation of the MCCC. "When our salaries were frozen, and it appeared that the state was not going to give money until collective bargaining came into effect," says Tetrault, "I figured that this new law was going to have a major impact on my job and professional life. Therefore, I wanted to be able to have as much opportunity for input as possible."

Tetrault was one of the pioneers of the union movement in the state's public higher education system. She was chapter president at STCC before the MCCC was formed and then became active in organizing the community colleges. She was part of the core of activists who founded the MCCC and wrote its bylaws. Tetrault became the first vice president of the MCCC, and two years later, she became the first woman president of the MCCC.

After finishing her presidency, Tetrault took time to explore and expand other aspects of her life. But, in the late 1980's she was drawn back into chapter and MCCC activities. She again became chapter president as well as an MCCC Director, and for the past four years has been elected to the MCCC Executive Committee.

"As with any activity," says Tetrault, "the high points tend to focus on the good times such as a successful political campaign, contract ratification, or funding." But there are other aspects, according to her, that make a person feel that his or her work as a chapter leader is worthwhile. Members stepping forward to take a more active role at the chapter or statewide level or the chapter developing a good working relationship with the college administration to assist the members in administering the contract more smoothly is a very important component to the job. Tetrault says, "At STCC the solid support and hard work of members of the chapter Executive Committee have made it possible to function as chapter president. Primarily, for me, there is significant personal satisfaction in being able to help people in any way at all."

Consummate Representative

Of course, with the good comes the frustrating times. "The low points, commonly enough, come when there is too little time to do too much." says Tetrault. "Activities which are unsuccessful in their results or which produce little member support or action are probably the most discouraging times for any chapter president. Fortunately, there have not been too many of those" According to Bill Gibbs, a former STCCPA chapter president and presently the grievance coordinator, "Carolyn undoubtedly lives and breathes for MCCC representation for faculty and professional staff, protecting their rights, and enforcing the contract on this campus as well as statewide. Her constant support of MTA through participation in the Western Mass. Caucus and other committee work amplifies her interest in union representation. Association with the Agawam Democratic Committee solidifies her comprehensive approach to unionism and support of representatives and senators in the legislature who are receptive to our causes. It makes one wonder when she has time to teach."

In addition to her teaching and union activities, Carolyn is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English and College English Association. She has been active in a number of college, regional, and statewide professional development activities, special committees, and task forces. She has also been a member or a chair for many years of the Professional Development Committee of the All College Council at STCC and a member and former secretary of the Agawam Democratic Committee.

MCCC'S Role in the Future

For someone who has been involved in the MCCC since its inception, Tetrault has had a unique opportunity to view the MCCC from many levels. "I have witnessed continual development of the MCCC over many years as it has expanded its membership and areas of collective bargaining. It has modified its structure and functions to meet the increased needs created by that expansion. The organization has matured internally since its founding; externally, it now plays a major role in MTA's higher education membership. The process of development must be ongoing, however, if it is to be a process of growth. The MCCC must continually work to increase the organizational strength of its chapters; programs such as those initiated last year (providing additional financial support for political action and communications) represent steps towards that goal. Communications, greatly improved over the last few years, must continue to improve. The MCCC must continue to work for the advancement of public higher education in the commonwealth."

Allan Peck, STCCPA Treasurer, said about his friend, Carolyn, "She is an educator who is unalterably dedicated to quality and fairness within her profession. know her as one who is quick to praise highly those with whom she works or chastise sharply those who may not work with the best interests of the union or college in mind. That Carolyn has been able to maintain her objectivity while working in many politically charged environments marks her as one whose advice and counsel will continue to be sought."

House Adds $9m to H. Ed Budget

On April 10, 1995, the House released its budget. Although the higher education portion represented a level funded budget (same dollars as last year for each campus), it was an increase over the governor's recommendation. The House restored the campus line-item budgeting and eliminated the tuition retention line, both of which were in the governor's budget.

The early retirement bill was not in the outside section of the budget. However, an early retirement bill was added to the budget by Rep. Phil Travis (D. Rehoboth).

An outside section would put a maximum cap on sick leave and vacation buyback that would have prevented any campus that offered an early retirement incentive from increasing the percentage of buyback over 20 percent. MTA prevailed on striking this from the budget.

On a down note, two amendments, submitted by unknown republicans, passed on a voice vote. One amendment calls for a feasibility study for consolidation or closing of campuses. Another amendment calls for a study of hours faculty work.

On a positive point, when Rep. Tom Finneran corrected the math error, higher education received an additional $9 million. The university received $4.5 million, and the balance was distributed as follows: HECC $500,000, state colleges $2 million, and the community colleges $2 million.

A final report will be distributed after all information has been assembled.

Account Summary and Dues Recommendation

The MCCC Finance Committee recommended and the Board of Directors voted to recommend a dues level of $132 for full-time members and $40 dues level for DCE members. This represents an increase of $12 for full-time members and an increase of $4 for DCE members.

The basis for the increase comes from the implementation of programs started last year. Local chapters had more financial independence because of an increase in the reimbursement to chapters in local support and dues.

A substantial amount of the increase in the budgeted amounts will be funded from the Cash Stability Fund as the Finance Committee believes that account is presently higher than necessary. Revenues are expected to be $576,372 while expenses are expected to be approximately $720,510. This will result in a reduction of the Stability Fund by approximately $144,138.

Major Account Increases

54 Negotiations. Continuing negotiations for day and DCE contracts.

55 anti 56, Arbitrations and DCE Arbitrations. The total increase of $11,400 is due to the increase of arbitrations going forward for day and DCE unit members.

71 Though there is not a major increase in this account, it represents the $17 per unit member received by each chapter of which at least $8.50 - must be spent for stipends for officers and/or coordinators.

Revenue Projections

It is estimated that full-time membership will total 2000, DCE membership is estimated at 4,000 which translates to the full-time equivalent of 1200 FTE (4,000 x .3) members/agency fee payers.

Revenue

(full-time)	$132 x 2000 =	$264,000
(DCE)	132 x 1200 =	158,400
	3200 =	$422,000
MTA Local Support	$ 20 x 3200 =	$64,000
MTA Research Grant		11,200
MTA Extraordinary Expense Grant		22,200
Interest Income		40,000
Miscellaneous Income*		7,572
Total Revenue		$567,372

*Miscellaneous income: 03 day $792; day cash payers $1,980; miscellaneous $4,800

Proposed Fiscal 1996 Budget

	Account	FY'95 Adopted	FY'96 Board Rec	Increase (Decrease)
01	Stipends	$87,650	$90,650	$3,000
	President	18,100	18,550	550
	Vice President	9,950	10,250	300
	Treasurer	13,550	14,000	450
	Secretary	7,250	7,500	250
	Grievance Coordinator*	14,500	14,950	450
	Communications Coordinator*	9,950	10,250	300
	DCE Coordinator*	9,950	10,250	300
02	Secretarial Services	68,300	73,800	5,500
03	Released Time	102,400	102.400	-0-
11	Executive Committee	11,400	13,600	2,200
12	Board of Directors	9,000	9,990	990
13	Committee Travel	2,270	2,200	(70)
14	Conferences and Conventions	52,100	52,100	-0-
15	Coordinator Travel	86,00	16,800	8,200
18	Professional Development	4,000	7,000	3,000
22	Telephone	27,600	36,000	8,400
24	Postage	22,420	26,250	3,830
25	Equipment	7,800	7.200	(600)
26	Office Supplies	16,500	20,800	4,200
27	Printing	54,700	52,200	(2,500)
28	Paper	1,000	1,000	-0-
29	Bank Service Charges	600	600	-0-
31	Memberships	1,600	2,400	800
44	Payroll Taxes	9,320	11,820	2,500
45	Insurance	850	850	-0-
51	Professional Fees	10,000	10,000	-0-
53	Donations	1,000	1,000	-0-
54	Negotiations	30,000	43,800	*13,800
55	Arbitrations	21,000	24,650	3,650
56	DCE Arbitrations	7,350	15,100	7,750
57	Penalties and Fees	100	100
59	Miscellaneous Expenses	500	(500)
71	Payments to Chapters	51,000	52,400
73	Chapter Local Support	45,000	45,800
		654,060	720,510	66,450

*Last year's delegate assembly, when it approved the budget, also approved a stipend schedule for officers and coordinators based on a percentage of the president's stipend.

The ratio is: President 100%; vice president 55%; treasurer 75%; secretary 40%; day grievance 80%; DCE grievance 55%; and communications 55%.

In addition, the stipend does not reflect the continuous service adjustment for coordinators which was voted by last year's annual meeting delegates. 0-2 years, no adjustment; 3-4, $400; 5-6 $800; 7-8 $1200; 9-10, $1600; and more than 10, $2,000. The DCE Coordinator will receive an adjustment of $800 and the Grievance and Communications Coordinators will receive a $2,000 adjustment.

MTA Looking for Notable Public Education Graduates

The MTA is in the process of kicking off its 150th anniversary. One of the activities MTA is planning is an exhibit at the State House featuring 150 years of "notable graduates" of the commonwealth's public schools and public colleges and universities.

All you need is a name. The obviously well known or famous people the MTA already has, but it is looking for people who had or have become famous but do not fall into the category of "the ones who immediately pop into your mind." Even if you are not sure if he or she is a product of the public schools, you should submit the name regardless.

Especially helpful will be anyone you know who attended or graduated from your college.

Once the MTA has collected the information and researched the names, there will be a display open to the public in Doric Hall in he State House, and early in the fall, an "1845 High Tea" will be held.

If anyone has any information or names, please send, call, or fax them to Billie Lawrence at MTA (tel. 1-800-392-6175 FAX 617-742-7360), 20 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108.

Remember, all you need is a name and any accompanying information you may have; MTA will do the rest.

Unit Members' Original Art Wanted

The MCCC's interdisciplinary journal committee has decided to expand its requests from unit members to include original art work. The committee would like to use a couple of pages in the journal to show original works by MCCC members.

If you are interested in submitting a sample of your work, please send photos to Peter Meggison, Chair, MCCC Scholar, Massasoit Community College, One Massasoit Blvd, Brockton, MA 02402. If you have any questions, please contact the editor, Catherine A. Boudreau.

Report your Blue Cross Dental Woes?

Anyone having a complaint or concern about the Blue Cross Dental plan and coverage should direct his or her comments to

Abe Sherf,
North Shore Community College.

He is the community college representative on the Health and Welfare Trust Fund.

DCE Bargaining: Where Is The Money Going?

The March issue of the MCCC Newsletter provided an overview of the employer's anti-bargaining approach to the DCE unit. The petition drive conducted by the Team and reports from meetings conducted with college presidents affirm the DCE Bargaining Team's position: The employer's proposal is not made with any real intention of reaching agreement. For instance, the community college presidents' economic offer for the total three year agreement is less than the first year of the newly executed agreement for the state college continuing education unit.

Petitions with over 1300 signatures were delivered to community college presidents by MCCC local chapter leaders.

Responses received from the presidents range from, "I don't really follow what happens in bargaining for the DCE unit" to "The state colleges have a smaller continuing education program, and therefore, have more money."

Actually, considering the labor costs, the opposite is true.

The labor expense for community college DCE courses and programs, on average, is 25 cents for every $1 collected. The state colleges- however, pay approximately 50 cents of every $1 received for labor costs. More classes and more paying students equal more exploited labor. If there is less excess funds in the community college DCE programs, then the real question is, Where is the Money Going?

The Team has asked the employer to justify its "economic offer." The only clear response we have received thus far is that the employer is not saying its proposal is based on an inability to pay more than its has offered. Rather, the presidents are saying they are "comfortable" with their offer. The MCCC Team will either negotiate a fair and equitable agreement, or we will answer the question, Where is the Money Going.

Then we can be assured every college president will know the status of DCE bargaining.

What Have You Done?

Have you or a colleague published 3 book, coordinated a national conference, received widespread recognition for an accomplishment?

Send it in to the Editor. A regular column will focus on areas like publications and/or adoption of books, awards (national or local), publication of articles, coordination of national or statewide conferences, or any accomplishment that is of note. Information should be as specific as possible and include college, home address, and phone number. Send to:

Catherine A, Boudreau, Editor

Know Your Contract

Apr. 15	Title changes announced
Apr. 24	Part-time faculty have student evaluations done
Apr. 30	Faculty receive fall assignments
Apr. 30	Full-time fall scheduled to chapter president
May 1	President's tenure recommendations due
May 12	Faculty submit College Service/Student Advisement forms
May 20	Tenure decisions due

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.