Category: Minutes

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Time & Place. The Chapter Meeting was held at 12 noon on USF Tampa in EDU 317.

Minutes. Minutes of the March 8 meeting approved.

Attendance. Eleven UFF members, including seven members of the Council, and one guest.

President’s Report.

• In the absence of the President, the meeting was chaired by the Vice President.
• Consolidation. USF St. Petersburg and revision of the Tenure & Promotion Guidelines were major issues.

New Business.

• Chapter Election. These are the results of the chapter election:
  • Turnout.
    • As of Thursday, March 21, 67 ballots were received.
    • Of these, 57 were received as of the March 19 deadline.
    • Of these, 54 had signatures and names that could be identified from the roster.
  • Results from Executive races. The president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, (appointed) chief negotiator, and (appointed) grievance chair make up the Executive Committee.
    • For president, Shapiro with 51 votes.
    • For vice president, Lang with 34 votes versus Novoa with 17 votes.
    • For secretary, McColm with 49 votes.
    • For treasurer, Wohlmuth with 50 votes.
  • Results for the FEA Assembly, for which there are seven open seats. (Remaining vacant seats are to be filled by the incoming Chapter Council.)
    • Braunsberger, 44 votes.
    • Lang, 44 votes.
    • Manning, 48 votes.
    • McColm, 49 votes.
    • Shapiro, 47 votes.
  • Results for the UFF Senate, for which there are nineteen open seats (the chapter president serves ex officio). After the nineteen, the remaining candidates are elected senate alternates. The senators, alternates, and committee chairs together form the Chapter Council.
    • Ariew, 38 votes.
    • Berarducci, 35 votes.
    • Boggess, 33 votes.
    • Braunsberger, 39 votes.
    • Brescia, 30 votes.
    • Burns, 32 votes.
    • Greek, 33 votes.
    • Hardy, 27 votes.
    • Lang, 41 votes.
    • Lewis, 34 votes.
    • Liontas, 23 votes.
    • Manning, 37 votes.
    • McColm, 45 votes.
    • Novoa, 26 votes.
    • Peppard, 40 votes.
    • Permuth, 45 votes.
    • Pettijohn, 35 votes.
    • Pyrtle, 30 votes.
    • Sinclair, 29 votes.
    • Welker, 34 votes.
    • Wohlmuth, 42 votes.
  • Officers and representatives assume their offices and seats on April 1.
• Amendments. The following constitutional and bylaws amendments were approved for a referendum. The current Constitution and Bylaws are to be amended as follows. Amendments to the Constitution require 2/3 support of the UFF members voting, while amendments to the Bylaws require majority support of the UFF members voting. The Chapter shall inquire from the state office whether an electronic referendum is permitted; if not, a paper referendum shall be conducted.
  • An amendment to the Constitution. Article IV, Section 2 of the UFF USF Constitution shall be changed as follows (strikeout means deleted, underlined means added):
    
    Nominations shall be closed and all nomination materials shall be due by February 28. The elected officers and Senators representatives shall be elected annually on or before March 21 31, and shall take office on the following April 1.
    
    Rationale: It takes several weeks to collect the necessary nominations, which results in a very short window to return ballots. The UFF requires that new officers and representatives be elected by April 1, and their own deadline is a day or so before that, so we can follow suit.

  • Amendment to the Bylaws. Article II, Section I of the UFF USF Bylaws shall be changed as follows (strikeout means deleted, underlined means added):
    
    Standing Committees shall be:
    1. Bargaining Committee
    2. Grievance Committee
    3. Services Membership Committee
    4. Communications Committee
    5. Political Action Government Relations Committee

    Rationale: The UFF has requested that government relations committees not be entitled “Political Action Committees” as UFF has one PAC and the chapter’s committee is not it. In addition, the Services Committee’s duties are recruitment and organizing, and the usual title of such a body is “Membership Committee.”

  • Amendment to the Bylaws. Article IV, Section 6 of the UFF USF Bylaws shall be changed as follows (strikeout means deleted, underlined means added):
    
    The Political Action Government Relations Committee shall cooperate, upon the approval of the chapter at a chapter meeting, with the State UFF in lobbying, endorsing candidates, and raising contributions. The Chairperson of the Political Action Government Relations Committee shall be the a official nominee to the State UFF Political Action-Legislative Committee and West Central Florida Central Labor Council unless otherwise determined by the President and/or Chapter Council.
    
    Rationale: Chapters do not nominate members of the UFF Legislative Committees, and the Chapter can have several members on the CLC – depending on density.

  • Amendment to the Bylaws. Article V of the UFF USF Bylaws shall be changed as follows (strikeout means deleted, underlined means added):
    
    Before the end of the fall semester of each academic year, the chapter shall elect an Elections Nominations and Election Committee (which is not a standing committee) of union members to design an election process, subject to the advice and consent of the chapter; solicit nominations for office and representative positions; conduct the election; and report the results. Members of the Elections Nominations and Election Committee shall be barred from running for executive office, and all candidates for executive offices in contested races shall be barred from canvassing or counting ballots.
    
    Rationale: The duties of this committee includes soliciting nominations, and this duty should be stressed.

Reports.

• Grievance Committee. Reports on the situation in USFSP.
• Membership. The Committee will organize an event in April.
• Treasury. We are solvent.
• Government Relations. USF Tallahassee has expressed concerns about HB 839.
• Tenure and Promotion. We may organize a workshop in USF Sarasota / Manatee the morning of April 5.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on 22 March 2019; amended 14 April 2019.

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Time & Place. The Chapter Meeting was held at 12 noon on USF Tampa in EDU 317.

Minutes. Minutes of the February 22 meeting approved.

Attendance. Twelve UFF members, including nine members of the Council.

President’s Report.

• March 5 BOT Meeting. President Shapiro spoke at the March 5 BOT meeting prior to the consolidation action item. UFF had repeatedly reached out to the Administration and the Board to get involved in Consolidation, but got no response.

New Business.

• Consolidation. There seems to be confusion in the public debate about what a “branch” campus is. There are also several concerns about USFSP, particularly including USFSP’s numbers in the metrics, and how USFSP faculty will be treated in the consolidated system.
• CAS. There seems to be something afoot about changing the College of Arts and Sciences during the Consolidation effort.
• Tenure and Promotion. Steve Lang reported on the consolidation of tenure and promotion guidelines.

Reports.

• Government Relations. Discussion of a meeting with State Senator Tom Lee’s aide. Discussion of current political trends.
• Grievances. Discussion of trends in disciplinary actions. Discussion of Sexual Harassment Training.
• Membership. Discussion.
• Treasury. We are solvent.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on 17 March 2019.

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Time & Place. The Chapter Meeting was held at 12 noon on USF Tampa in EDU 317.

Minutes. Minutes of the February 8 meeting approved.

Attendance. Eleven UFF members, including eight members of the Council.

President’s Report.

• Chapter Election. Chapter and statewide elections are underway.
• Consolidation. Discussion of the future of CAS.
• UFF Senate Meeting on February 17 & 18. Discussion.

New Business.

• Government Relations. Discussion of meetings with three local legislators. A meeting with the fourth one is planned
• Recognition of President Genshaft upon retirement. Arrangements are being made.
• White Supremacy Flyers on Campus. Discussion.

  
  Reports.

  • Grievances. Tenure candidates are getting mixed signals from the Administration. Discussion of other cases.
  • Collective Bargaining. Discussion.

  
  These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on 5 March 2019.
  

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Time & Place. The Chapter Meeting was held at 12 noon on USF St. Petersburg in the USC Regatta Room.

Minutes. Minutes of the January 25 meeting approved.

Attendance. Ten UFF members, including seven members of the Council.

President’s Report.

• Chapter Election. Chapter and statewide elections are underway.
• Consolidation. Discussion.

New Business.

• Government Relations. The committee is seeking to meet with representatives.

Reports.

• Grievances. There are many grievances. Discussion of Letters of Counsel and of mandatory sexual harassment training.
• Membership. Discussion.
• Treasury. We are solvent.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on 18 February 2019.

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Time & Place. The Chapter Meeting was held at 12 noon on USF Tampa in EDU 317.

Minutes. Minutes of the January 11 meeting approved.

Attendance. Sixteen UFF members, including seven members of the Council.

President’s Report.

• Chapter Election. Chapter and statewide elections are underway.
• Consolidation. The Chapter President has requested a meeting.

New Business.

• USFSP Report. Discussion of USFSP’s perception of consolidation.
• Meetings with Legislators. Steve Lang, Greg McColm, Joshua Rayman will seek to meet a local legislator.

Reports.

• Collective Bargaining. Discussion of items to place on the table.
• Grievances. Discussion of outstanding grievances, in particular the grievance concerning sexual harassment training.
• Membership. In some colleges, faculty are afraid of joining UFF.
• Treasury. We are solvent.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on 3 February 2019.

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Time & Place. The Chapter Meeting was held at 12 noon at CDB Restaurant.

Attendance. Seventeen UFF members, including eight members of the Council.

New Business.

• Tuition Task Force. The Task Force is exploring tuition waivers and exchange programs.
• Chapter Election. The Election Committee presented its proposal to the Chapter.
  • Motion made and seconded that the Proposal by the Election Committee for the 2019 Election is approved. The motion passes. The Call for Nominations shall be sent to UFF USF members in a Biweekly Special to UFF members on January 15.
• Government Relations. UFF is conducting a workshop at USF Tampa on the evening of January 11. UFF is also conducting workshops at the UFF Senate Meeting; the Biweekly Special will announce these workshops.
• NAACP Freedom Fund 2019 Dinner. The NAACP is selling tickets to its dinner on Friday, February 1, for $ 75 each. These were advertised in a flyer distributed at the January meeting of the West Central Florida Central Labor Council.
  • Policy. For such an event, sponsored by a non-profit, non-partisan union-friendly organization, the Chapter will entertain a motion to offer a limited number of tickets to UFF members who wish to attend.
  • Motion made and seconded to purchase up to six tickets for UFF members who wish to attend. (This shall be announced in the January 15 Biweekly Special to UFF members.) Motion passes.
• Travel Scholarships.
  • Motion made and seconded that the Chapter shall offer six $ 500 travel scholarships for the summer and fall terms under the same conditions as recently with the additional requirement that recipients attend to Chapter Meeting to be recognized. Motion passes.
• Chapter Meetings. The Chapter shall meet on USF St. Petersburg on February 8 and on USF Sarasota / Manatee on April 5.

Old Business.

• Consolidation. Updates and discussion.

Reports.

• Grievances. Discussion of the grievance on Sexual Harassment Training. Discussion of recent trends in grievances.
• Collective Bargaining. Discussion.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on 12 January 2019.

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Time & Place. The Chapter Meeting was held at 12 noon on USF Tampa in EDU261.

Attendance. Ten UFF members, including six members of the Council.

Minutes. 16 November 2018 minutes approved. At the 2 November 2018 Chapter meeting at noon on USF Sarasota-Manatee, no business was transacted and no notes taken.

• Motion made and seconded that the minutes shall reflect that the 2 November 2018 Chapter meeting at noon on USF Sarasota-Manatee took place, and that issues of concern to USF Sarasota-Manatee faculty and professionals were discussed, but no business was transacted. Motion approved.

President’s Report.

• USF Presidential Search. Discussion of the presentation of the USF Presidential Search Committee to the USF Tampa Faculty Senate on 28 November.
• Consolidation. Discussion of the effect of consolidation on pre-eminence and on the College of Education.

New Business.

• Sexual Harassment Training. UFF has been advised that there will be consequences to not taking the HR online course on Sexual Harassment.
• Tailgate Party. The grounds of Raymond James is large, and UFF needs a flag or pennant so that attendees can find the tent housing the tailgate party.
  • Motion made and seconded that UFF shall acquire a flag or pennant and a pole for use at tailgates and similar events. Motion approved.
• Travel scholarships. There were 22 applications for travel scholarships. The chapter chose the following recipients: Ilene Berson, Rasim Guldiken, Amanda Huensch, Jason Lewis, John Liontas, and Jennifer Wolgemuth. The three alternates chosen were Patricia Pettijohn, Cecil Greek, and Julia Irwin.
• Toy Drive. Toys were collected for the drive; they will be delivered to the Central Labor Council on December 4.
• Election Committee. The Chapter Election shall be conducted in spring. The Chapter shall elect a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and a number of UFF senators and FEA delegates in accordance with the Chapter Constitution and Bylaws, which specify that no candidate for any of the four offices may serve on the Election Committee, that the Election Committee shall propose a method and schedule at the first Chapter Meeting of the spring semester (for this election, on Friday, 11 January 2019), that the election be completed by March 21 and that officers and representatives assume their positions on April 1.
  • Motion that the Chapter elects Susan Ariew, Karin Braunsberger, Nancy Cunningham, and Stephanie Jacobs to the Election Committee. Motion approved.

Old Business.

• Courses for family members. Discussion of options before the task force.
• Government Relations. We will have training sessions for UFF members who are willing to represent UFF in meetings with legislators and other politicians.

Reports.

• Grievances. UFF has received reports of faculty told to engage in non-research activities (often in service) for the benefit of USF and the community, with the understanding that such activities would be accepted in lieu of research and scholarship. However, when the faculty members come up for assessment, these activities are not accepted in lieu of research and scholarship.
• Communications. The 29 November 2018 Biweekly had an incorrect time for the Town Hall meeting with the USF Consolidation Committee. There will be a correction sent out as an Extra.
• Treasury. We are solvent.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on 2 December 2018.

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Time & Place. The Chapter Meeting was held at 12 noon on USF Tampa in EDU261.

Attendance. Ten UFF members, including eight members of the Council, and one guest.

President’s Report.

• Consolidation. Discussion of the Huron Draft option of reorganizing the College(s) of Arts and Sciences. In addition, we have been advised that Academic Affairs does not anticipate layoffs as a result of consolidation.
• Training for talking with legislators. Discussion.

New Business.

• Sexual Harassment Training. UFF has been advised that there will be consequences to not taking the HR online course on Sexual Harassment. Steps are being taken on this issue.
• USFSP. Discussion of the situation in the College of Business.
• Tailgate Party. We anticipate late RSVPs.

Reports.

• Collective Bargaining.. The next bargaining session is on December 7. Discussion.
• Treasury. We are solvent.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on 25 November 2018.

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Time & Place. The Chapter Meeting was held at 12 noon on USF Tampa in EDU261.

Attendance. Ten UFF members, including seven members of the Council, and one guest.

Minutes. 5 October 2018 minutes approved.

President’s Report.

• Communications. An ad hoc committee shall meet next week to discuss UFF communications.
• Consultation with the Provost’s office. Topics covered were largely various aspects of consolidation.

New Business.

• Sexual Harassment Training. There is an online sexual harassment training course that USF employees have been instructed to take.
• Tailgate Party. UFF USF will hold a tailgate party at the UFF-UCF game on Nov. 23.
• Holiday party. The Executive Committee will explore options for the holiday party.

Reports.

• Grievances. We have another USF SP case. Discussion.
• Treasury. We are solvent.
  

  
  These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on 20 October 2018.
  

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Time & Place. The Chapter Meeting was held at 12 noon on USF Tampa in EDU261.

Attendance. Thirteen UFF members, including seven members of the Council, and one guest.

Minutes. 21 September 2018 minutes approved.

President’s Report.

• Discussion of the presidential search.

New Business.

• Essential Personnel. Some employees have been informed that they have special duties during emergencies.
• Sexual Harassment Training. There is an online sexual harassment training course that USF employees have been instructed to take.
• Letters of Counsel. It is not clear what the legal standing of these documents are.
• Tuition waivers for family members. There is a task force exploring options.
• USF St. Petersburg. Problems in the College of Education.
• Student evaluations. Discussion of anomalies in record keeping.
• Tailgate Party. It is proposed that UFF USF have a tailgate party at the USF-UCF game.
  • Motion made and seconded that the Vice President be authorized to organize a tailgate party at the USF-UCF game; new members would be admitted free, members for a small fee, non-members for a larger fee, details to be resolved. Motion passes.

  
  These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on 16 October 2018.