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The Eleventh Annual Jon Butler Memorial Award in recognition of an outstanding chapter president will be awarded to Ruth Goldman at the MCCC Delegate Assembly on April 26 1997, at Mt. Wachusett Community College.

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

"If someone told me five year's ago that I would be given this award," says Butler honoree Ruth Goldman, "no one would have believed it, including myself."

Goldman, a twenty-one year professor in the Business and Legal Studies Division at Mass. Bay Community College and a member of the Court and Conferencing program, came to Mass. Bay with a Bachelor's in Business Education from Boston University and an M.Ed from Boston University with a concentration in Business Education.

"Because I did not have tenure, I was reluctant to speak out. I have since learned that I did not have to wait those seven years," says Goldman. She initially became concerned with the college president's complete disdain and lack of support for the Secretarial Department at the college. He would make fun of the discipline and wave it off as being insignificant. "No matter what statistics and supporting evidence the department brought to his attention showing the need for students with secretarial skills," says Goldman, "the president would deal with us as if we were insolent children and just ignore us."

Goldman began voicing her concern about the lack of academic leadership at the college and a decaying morale within the faculty. "I was told often that there was nothing I could no." She did not accept that, and when the college decided to remove typewriters from the typing classes, she filed a grievance. The grievance was resolved, but the president would not tell maintenance to return the typewriters; faculty had to do it. But the support from the college declined, and when the college stopped recruiting and advertising for the program, the numbers dropped. "The demise of the program," according to Goldman, "became a self-fulfilling prophecy."

It was then that Goldman decided to get involve in the union. "I was the most unlikely candidate because I came from a family that was anti-union. My father had his own business, and since childhood I always heard that unions were bad. I, how ever, began to realize that the union was a voice for the faculty and professional staff's concerns." In 1994 Goldman was elected vice president.

It took some time to work through the network of experience and information that existed. But she kept seeking out information, going to meetings and grievance hearings, listening, and inquiring. Goldman began speaking out more. "All the while" says Goldman, "the lack of respect for faculty and professional staff kept seeping out of the administration and creating a bleak atmosphere at the college." In 1994 Goldman ran for chapter president.

The first thing she did as chapter president was preside over a vote of no confidence in the college's president and vice president. "The frustrations at the college had been brewing for a long time," says Goldman. "At the meeting when the vote was taken, I talked about the absence of academic leadership, and when they heard about the administrators' salaries and the ratio of administrators to faculty, that really upset them." When the vote of no confidence went to the Trustees, the president said it was just negotiations - no big deal - it had nothing to do the him or his vice president-it's just from a couple of union trouble makers. Goldman and the chapter Board members appeared before the Trustees and informed the Trustees that they wanted the president gone from the campus. "We were tired of a few administrators controlling everything at the college," said Goldman.

She began to elicit concerns from the unit members, but when the concerns were passed on to the president and trustees, they were ignored. Finally a reorganization plan was accepted by the trustees that included a vice president in charge of the academic areas. "Everyone warned me that the search committee would probably be stacked," says Goidman, "but the committee came together and was committed to hiring a person who cared about academics. The committee prevailed."

The chapter redid the list of concerns and distributed them to the trustees. Almost no response or interest came from them. "Unfortunately, the majority of the trustees ignore concerns from the faculty and rubber stamp whatever they are given," says Goldman. One trustee, however, who was supportive, was not reappointed.

"I get so frustrated with the politics sometimes," says Goldman. "The parting comment by a trustee recently was very revealing. He said,' really have enjoyed being on the Trustees, especially this year because I found out about the wonderful programs we have at this college.' Because trustees are usually appointed for political reasons, we always have to start all over by trying to convince them that we have good programs. Most of them never quite have the time to listen and learn. And, they come with a bias against the union and tend dismiss their concerns. We will keep on trying, to work with them."

Goldman will retire this year. Looking back at her limited union experience, she says that her activism was empowering. She realized she was not alone in her distress at the direction of the college. She says, "I am retiring to do other things with my life. Though I was not a person inclined to be involved in the union, I see the value of unions so much clearer now. I have friends who cannot believe that I got involved. My concern about the amount of money administrators get paid and what they do for it was always very upsetting to me. Then to see faculty and professional staff treated so poorly and so undervalued really bothered me. It was the indignities and the inequities that brought me to the door of the union leadership and I said, 'I want to come in and be a part of this group'."

Personally, Goldman found that one voice can make a difference even though she had been programmed otherwise. Looking over the past couple of years, Goldman says, "I found that other people had the same feelings. Then a few of us became a group, and then the group became a majority. I felt empowered. I wanted to be a leader but I never had the courage to do it because I felt I was the only one who was upset. But because of everything that was happening, I began not to care if I was out of step. Soon I realized that other people were waiting for someone to speak out first. I found my voice and I plan to use it for other causes when I am retired.

"My biggest disappointment was the realization of how bad the politics are with the administration and especially the trustees. I knew things were political, but the degree was very distressing, in fact overwhelming at times. One of my accomplishments has been to get people more willing to speak and get involved despite the politics.

"Though I do not always agree with everything the MCCC does, I believe that disagreement can produce healthy discourse. The work the MCCC does on behalf of the membership is wonderful. I can say that the support and help I received from the day and DCE Grievance Officers, Dennis Fitzgerald and Joe Rizzo cannot be measured. Also, the legal support from MTA is superb; we are very lucky to have at our disposal such a find collection of labor lawyers.

"I have no regrets. I will transfer the skills I have learned from my union activism to the health care field, and I would like to work with the retirees through the MTA. I an not ready to give up all this stimulation."

Nancy Morello, the chapter vice president, says, "Over the past two years Ruth Goldman has given "new life' to the chapter. She has involved more unit members in the activities of the association, has increased awareness in regard to implementation of the contract, and has established avenues of communication among all members of the college community. It has been my pleasure as vice president of the Mass. Bay chapter to work closely with Ruth. I certainly have learned a great deal about leadership."

Account Summary and Dues Recommendation

The MCCC Board of Directors voted to recommend a dues level of $150 for full-time members and a $45 dues level for DCE members. This represents an increase of $l0 for full-time members and an increase of $3 for DCE members.

The basis for the increase comes from the implementation of programs started three years ago. Local chapters have 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. Revenues are expected to be $576,103 while expenses are expected to be approximately $676,703. This will result in a reduction of the Stability Fund by approximately $100,600. Though last year's budget anticipated a deficit in the amount of $144,138, it appears that the MCCC might not have to go into reserves this year.

In addition, the stipends do not reflect the continuous service adjustment for coordinators which was voted by that delegate assembly as well. 0-2 years, no adjustment; 3-4, $400; 5-6, $800; 7-8, $1200; 9-10, $1600;and more than 10, $2000. The DCE Coordinator will receive an adjustment of $1200 and the Grievance and Communications Coordinators will receive a $2,000 adjustment.

Revenue Projections

It is estimated that full-time membership will total 2018, DCE membership is estimated at 3,600 which translates to the full-time equivalent of 1080 FTE (3,600 x .3) members/agency fee payers.

Revenue
$	150 x 2018 (full-time)	=	$	302,700
	150 x 1080 (DCE) 3098(FTE)	=		162,000
			$	464,700
MTA Local Support ($20/member for full time and $7 per FTE for DCE)			$	47,920
MTA Research Grant				11,200
MTA Extraordinary Expense				18,000
Interest Income				30,000
Miscellaneous Income				4,800

MCCC Proposed Fiscal 1998 Budget

	Account	FY'97 Adopted	FY'98 Board Rec.	Increase (Decrease)
01	Stipends	$93,450	$96,512	$3,062
	President	19,150	19,850	700
	Vice President	10,550	10,918	368
	Treasurer	14,400	14,888	488
	Secretary	7,700	7,940	240
	Grievance Coord.*	15,350	15,880	530
	Communications Coord.*	10,550	10,918	368
	DCE Coordinator*	10,550	10,918	368
02	Secretarial Services	69,500	61,461	(8,039)
03	Released Time	102,400	110,000	7,600
11	Executive Comme	16,900	12,600	(430)
12	Board of Directors	11,500	13,750	2,250
13	Committee Travel	2,100	4,780	2,680
14	Conferences/Conventions	52,100	52,200	100
15	Coordinator Travel	18,800	19,600	800
18	Professional Development	7,000	3,000	(4,000)
22	Telephone	37,500	35,100	(400)
24	Postage	19,400	19,400	-0-
25	Equipment	7,200	6,350	850
26	Office Supplies	27,500	18,100	(9,400)
27	Printing	36,000	32,400	(3,600)
28	Paper	2,000	200	(1,800)
29	Bank Service Charges	750	600	(150)
31	Memberships	2,000	2,600	600
44	PayrollTaxes	12,200	17,200	5,000
45	Insurance	850	1,550	700
51	Professional Fees	11,000	11,000	-0-
53	Donations	1,500	1,000	(500)
54	Negotiations	21,150	16,500	(4,650)
55	Arbitrations	33,700	20,000	(13,700)
56	DCE Arbitrations	12,100	9,000	(3,100)
57	Penalties and Fees	-0-
57	Mediations-Day		9,600	9,600
58	Mediations-DCE		4,000	4,000
71	Chapter Dues	52,400	-0-	52,400
73	LocalSupport	45,800	(15,000)	30,800
74	Chap Newsltr Supp		7,500	7,500
75	Chap. Crisis Supp		7,500	7,500
	Total	$696,800	$676,703

*1994'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%.

MCCC Interdisciplinary Journal Completed The interdisciplinary journal of the MCCC, The Scholar, is complete. All full-time and active DCE members should have received a copy. The Editorial Review Panel was comprised of Peter Meggison ,Chair, Massasoit Community College, Carol Sokolowski, Massasoit Community College, Laura Ventimiglia, No. Shore Community College, and Ron Weisberger, Bristol Community College.

House Budget Completed**

The House budget debate was concluded on April 17, 1997. The following are the highlights of the House bill.

*These figures represent the FY97 Appropriation only. During this fiscal 1997 year, the legislature has passed supplemental budgets and those are amounts are not included in this chart.
** These figures represent the amendment passed on April 16. However minor changes are possible until the final copy is printed.
Additional money was appropriated for: Cape Cod: $124,438 for Envir. Tech. Program; Roxbury: $1,009,898 for Reggie Lewis Track & $247,100 for Track & Athletic Center Fund; Springfield: $842,256 for Digital Property Operation & $250,000 for Center for Telecommunication.

Other Highlights

1. Health Insurance remained at 85%/15% split
2. The House did not pass an amendment to restore $11 million to the Board of Higher Education (BHE) for matching Challenge Fund (matching fundraising money)
3. No tuition retention
4. Fees stay under control of campuses
5. Bristol, Mass. Bay, Quinsigamond, and Holyoke (partially) received substantial increases. The House brought colleges up to a minimum per pupil expenditure of $3500.
6. The bill which would provide welfare recipients the ability to count education and training toward their 20-hour requirement of work or community service was attached to the budget.
7. The House Ways and Means increased the BHE's appropriation for Campus Improvement Grants from $3.8 million to $8 million. The House reduced that amount by $4 million and redistributed that money to all three segments proportionately. That left the BHE with a $200,000 increase. That money was also deleted in a subsequent amendment and given to Framingham State College leaving the BHE was the same appropriation as last year, $3.8 million.

Immediate political action is necessary. Members should get a list of names from their chapter president of whom to thank. €

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.

Know Your Contract

Apr. 30	Faculty receive fall assignments
Apr. 30	Full-time faculty fall schedules to chapter
May 1	President's tenure recommendations due
May 1	President's sabbatical decisions due
May 16	Faculty submit College Service and 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.

MCCC Newsletter Editor: Catherine A. Boudreau MCCC/MTA Newsletter 20 Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108

The MCCC Newsletter is a publication of the Massachusetts Community College Council. The Newsletter is intended to be an information source for the members of the MCCC and for other interested parties. The material in this publication may be reprinted with the acknowledgment of its source. For further information on issues discussed in this publication, contact Catherine Boudreau, Massasoit Community College, Brockton, MA 02402.

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