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Massachusetts Community College Council |
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NEWSLETTER |
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Volume XV |
October, 1997 |
Number Three |
Effective in the spring semester of 1998, the DCE salary schedule will increase as provided for in the collective bargaining agreement. This raise, on average, will be 4.25%,. Faculty who are paid at a flat hourly rate will receive an increase of 4.25%, and faculty at Step 3 will receive approximately 4.7% .
The new rates are as follows:
A three-credit course will pay $2,205 at the highest step. This amount reflects a 14%, increase since May 1996, for the schools that were at the highest DCE salary at that time. For the colleges that paid the least in the spring of 1996, the DCE salary has increase 29.5%,. Another salary increase is due in the fall of 1998 and another in the fall of 1999, after the expiration of the contract.
The same lab ratio of 1.5 lab hours equals one credit of pay still
applies. The implementation of the salary schedule or the lab ratio
cannot be used to lower one's salary.
As of Wednesday, October 29, 1997, the Board of Higher Education and Coopers and Lybrand have been unable to reach an agreement on a classification study contract. MCCC President Susan Dole notified Chancellor Koplik in a letter (see elsewhere in newsletter) that the MCCC wants to begin discussions with the other choice of the Classification Team, David M. Griffiths and Associates. It remains unclear where the problems exist in the negotiations process - with Coopers and Lybrand, with the Board of Higher Education, or with both. Though we need to find out, we also need to move on.
The MCCC is requesting a meeting immediately with the Chancellor to discuss the situation, reset priorities, and explore options. There is no way, at this time, to ascertain when the classification study will commence though it is expected that the framework the MCCC has worked out would probably carry through to a new consultant.
Chapters will be notified immediately of any
developments.
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Just go to the MCCC Web site at http://www.tiac.net/users/mccc
and click on Job Vacancies in Massachusetts Community
Colleges. Any unit members who would like a copy of the
vacancies faxed to them, then can send a request along with
the college where they teach to the Communications
Coordinator Fax 617-236-0448. |
Though she thought she might write a book some day, Phyllis Barrett, a professor of English at Holyoke Community College, had envisioned that it would probably be on William Faulkner or some Latin, American, or French writer. Instead, Barrett has recently completed her first book, A Life Worth Living, with Pearl M. Mosher- Ashley. The book focuses on practical strategies for reducing depression in older adults and was released this past September.
In the late 1970's Barrett and Mosher- Ashley were adjunct faculty at Holyoke. Mosher-Ashley was teaching psychology and writing articles and Barrett was teaching English and eventually became Mosher- Ashley's proofreader. Mosher-Ashley left Holyoke. went into clinical practice, got a Ph. D.. and subsequently got a job at Worcester State College, where she specializes in geriatric psychology. [Mosher-Ashley is married to George Ashley, a professor of History and Anthropology at Holyoke, and a former chapter president.] Though separated by geography, the close friendship and working relationship continued.
About three years ago, Mosher-Ashley decided she wanted to write a book and asked Barrett to co-write it with her. Barrett went into this venture with some misgivings. "I felt a little presumptuous as I had only a little background from teaching in a Learning Community at Holyoke and but one college psychology course," says Barrett. They wrote nearly half the book in about three months and submitted it to Health Professionals Press (HPP) in Baltimore, Maryland, who had agreed to publish it. HPP was pleased and gave them the So ahead. For the next year, the library became Barrett's second home.
Barrett learned by doing. "What I realized," says Barrett, "is that an intelligent person with good research skills can learn a lot and share that information with other people. Good communication skills, however, are a prerequisite to conveying knowledge effectively." Barrett and Mosher- Ashley split up the work. Both wrote separate chapters and did separate research. Barrett revised all the writing for technical problems, supplied the poems, wrote most of the introduction and conclusions, and Mosher-Ashley verified the content. "We work very well together because our skills do not overlap," says Barrett. "Pearl was the expert on content; I was the expert on form. We were also lucky to have a wonderful editor, Anita McCabe, who was supportive and possessed a great sense of humor." Humor was needed since so much of the time was spent just doing research and, most frustrating, verifying sources. "It is serendipitous the things that happen when doing research. Having to go back to the library to reaffirm sources just to make sure they are correct or not being able to remember where you found a source but knowing it had to be found," says Barrett. But once the book was completed, the initial reaction of never wanting to write a book again dissipated. Before they knew it, Barrett and Mosher-Ashley were talking new projects.
The publisher is already interested in doing a revised version within a couple of years. Barrett and Mosher-Ashley would also like to see this book, with minimum citations, put into a context that lay people could use. Because the book is more a reference for people in the field -- rehabilitation in nursing homes or senior centers -- the book contains lots of verifications that professionals demand.
Though Barrett moved during the process of writing this book, her friends from both neighborhoods took an active interest in her writing. "The retired folks were thrilled that someone was interested in problems that they face at their age," according to Barrett. Her neighbors will soon receive autographed copies.
Early sales have been strong, and HPP is getting ready for a second printing. Dr. Andrew Futterman, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Gerontological Studies Program at the College of the Holy Cross, writes in his forward that for 20 years he has relied on a particular book to help him organize his thinking about depression in later life, but a new book is needed. He says, "Obviously, it is time for a superb, clearly written book to provide a new 'map' of the research...about aging and depression.... A Life Worth Living is that map."
About her experience of writing a book that did not parallel her educational background, Barrett says that it probably made her a better English Composition teacher. "I had always known that no matter how much you know, if you do not know how to communicate it, the knowledge will remain dormant. But my definition of good writing was fairly limited. For example, I always thought that psychology books were dry. Now, as I teach students to write, I understand that they need to learn flexibility. People write differently from and for different disciplines. The students will not all be literary critics. Disciplines have different criteria for writing, and English teachers need to remember that they are preparing students to write in business and industry."
Barrett has been at Holyoke for 17 years. She was graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Bachelor's in French and English and earned a Master's in English from the University of Michigan. Her Ph.D. in English is from the University of Rhode Island. This past May, Barrett was awarded the Marieb Chair for Excellence in Teaching. This award was established seven years ago by Elaine Marieb, a former, longtime faculty member at Holyoke. In addition to the prestige of receiving the award, $4,000 is also provided to support activities that enhance the recipient's professional skills
Barrett, in addition to her many activities and interests, has
been actively involved in the union for a number of years. She was
chapter secretary for many years, chapter president for three years,
and she is presently in her second year as MCCC Secretary.
Left to right: Dennis Fitzgerald, MCCC Grievance Officer; Phil Mahler, MCCC Vice President; and Susan dole, MCCC President
On October 8, 1997, the MCCC held a Leadership Conference for Chapter Leaders in Marlborough. MCCC President Susan Dole reviewed the Annual Plan that was passed by the Board of Directors at its meeting on October 1 7. Former MCCC President Jim Rice, the Vice President of the National Council for Higher Education did a presentation on NEA's "New Unionism," and MCCC Grievance Officer Dennis Fitzgerald provided an overview of the Classification Study.
All unit members should have received a copy of the Annual Plan and Monthly Calendar of Activities. The goals for the 1997-1998 year are:
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Develop and implement a plan of action to assure the implementation of the Classification Study |
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Maintain/increase level of political activity, develop a legislative agenda, and educate legislators on issues important to MCCC members |
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Review recommendations of the Organizational Audit Review Committee, and where appropriate, implement new policies and procedures |
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Enhance labor/management relations |
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Establish a balanced budget |
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Establish a Leadership Training Program |
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Assist chapters in developing a new member orientation program, improving attendance at chapter meetings, and increasing participation in chapter activities |
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Raise member awareness of"the new unionism" |
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Re-engineer the organizational culture to improve open communication and increase member involvement in the organization; broad training, review of meeting management strategies; and review of functions/roles/responsibilities |
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Improve fiscal management by training the Board on the fiduciary responsibilities, planning for balanced budget, and developing a financial policies manual. |
Rick Doud, Chapter President, Middlesex Community College, Member of MCCC Board of Directors
MTA has been offering professional development workshops throughout the state for the past two years. This year, more workshops are being offered at the state and community colleges, and MTA will continue to expand the offerings. The following are upcoming workshops.
Internet. IBM PC Lab (limited to 20) Mon. Nov. 17, 24, Dec. 4. 7:30-9:30 p.m. 6 PDP's. $35. Moakley Center, Bridgewater State College
Internet MAC Lab. (limited to 20) Mon. Nov. 17, 24, Dec. 4. 7:30-9:30 pm. 6 PDP's. $35. Moakley Center, Bridgewater State College
Around the World in K-8 Social Studies Mt. Wachusett Community College Sat. Nov. 1. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. $25. 4 PDP's. Massasoit Community College, Canton. Sat. Nov. 15. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. $25. 4 PDP's.
Death of a Village (focus on recent investigation into the 1942 Nazi liquidation of the Jews of Bransk, Poland). Mt. Wachusett Community College Sat. Nov. 1.9 a.m. - 1 p.m. $25. 4 PDP's. Massasoit Community College, Canton. Sat. Nov. 15. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. $25. 4 PDP's.
Modifications in the Regular Secondary Classroom--Making Inclusion Work. Mt. Wachusett Community College Sat. Nov. 1 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. $25. 4 PDP's. Massasoit Community College, Canton. Sat. Nov. 15. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. $25. 4 PDP's.
Maintaining Your Certification. This workshop is designed for higher education employees who are no longer teaching in a pre K-12 but wish to maintain their certification. Quinsigamond Community College Tuesday, December 9, 1997, 4-6 p.m. Room 003 in Surprenant Hall. 2 PDP's. No charge.
Peaceable Classroom. Mt. Wachusett Community College Sat. Nov. 1. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. $25. 4 PDP's. Massasoit Community College, Canton. Sat. Nov. 15. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. $25. 4 PDP's.
This fall, 112 MTA/Professional Development Points (PDP) workshops
are being held across the state. A number of these workshops are
applicable to anyone who holds a certification, not just to pre K-12
employees. If you did not receive the Fall, 1997 Program Guide from
the MTA, call -1- 800-392-6175 and ask for Professional Development.
They will send you a program.
October 27, 1997 Stanley Koplik Dear Chancellor Koplik This Friday, in your absence, I informed Peter Tsaffaras of the intent of the MCCC to insist upon BHE withdrawal from any further negotiations with C&L in the event the contract was not executed by the conclusion of that day. After five months of discussions, Coopers and Lybrand have still not signed a contract with the Board of Higher Education. In fact, although C&L was selected last June, Coopers is raising additional issues as a prerequisite to enter into a contractual relationship with the Commonwealth to conduct the classification study. I urge you to formally give Coopers and Lybrand a fixed time to sign the contract, not to exceed 48 hours, and if not, to begin discussions/negotiations with Griffiths and Associates, the second finalist. In making this request, you will agree that since the end of August, classification has stalled, despite reassurances to the contrary and a revised start-up date of September 29, 1997, which was not met. September has come and gone and now the better part of October, and we have yet to start, nor do we have a contract in place, nor do we have a fixed date for beginning the study. Please refer to the attached sheet that highlights some of the significant negotiation dates. The MCCC cannot stand idly by while faculty and professional staff needs go unmet. The MCCC has acted reasonably and responsibly, despite numerous delays, in that we have met our obligations under the terms of the collective bargaining contract and the Request for Proposals. There is more at stake here than just the matter of Coopers and Lybrand; our relationship with the BHE and its future is being tested. When we met in August you assured the Union that Classification was your highest priority. It is now critical that you again demonstrate that commitment. It is imperative that i receive from your office a fixed date for the classification study to begin. In the event that I do not hear from your office prior to Wednesday, October 29, 1997, 1 will have no other alternative but to seek other means to address the concerns of the MCCC. Sincerely, Susan Dole |
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The MCCC and MTA's Higher Education Leadership Council (HELC) has requested that MTA add the Contingent Work Bill to its legislative agenda. This bill would require that part-time workers be paid at the same rate as full-timers in Massachusetts. The legislation, called the Contingent Work Bill (Senate 48, House 3772), would require:
MCCC Phil Mahler brought this bill to the attention of the MCCC
and HELC on behalf of MCCC 's part-time employees.
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Oct. 30 |
Preferred schedules and courses submitted |
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Oct. 31 |
Leave of absence and sabbatical decisions due |
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Nov. 21 |
Unit Personnel Practices Committee (UPPC) elected |
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