LIFE CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Looking at potential candidates Obama could face in 2012, 1B
Central Michigan University
Boxing instructor has been teaching since 2008, ending classes, 3A
| Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011
[cm-life.com]
Fact-finder favors CMU on FA pay, benefits Sides with faculty on retirement, promotion increments By Annie Harrison Senior Reporter
A state fact-finder is supporting administration proposals on salaries and health care benefits in its negotiations with the Faculty Association. Fact finder Barry Goldman’s non-binding set of findings came Tuesday in an attempt to break an impasse in the four-month old contract talks, in which mediation already has failed. In findings for Central Michi-
Reactions mixed on report by state fact-finder
gan University proposed zeropercent salary increase for 201112 and small increases in years two and three, Goldman dismissed the FA’s contention that CMU had $228 million in unrestricted net assets that could be used to fund more generous raises. “The CMU proposal of a zero increase in the first year and modest increases in subsequent years is not an unreasonable offer, all things considered. Circumstances (in the Michigan
economy) are bad and getting worse. It would be extremely unwise for CMU to eat its seed corn,” Goldman said of the union’s contention. He also called CMU’s position on maintaining all employees on a less expensive heath care insurance plan “eminently fair,” saying that if FA members want the more expensive MESSA plan, its members alone should pay the difference. Further, Goldman said the FA’s proposal to give 12-month faculty a $600 signing bonus once the contract is resolved might be illegal. “Laudable as that goal may be, there is some question
D av i d s m i t h
CLASH
currently in place are more generous than ‘market.’ But I am going to assume that those increments were bargained into existence by competent negotiators acting in good faith,” he said. “The record before me does not show sufficient grounds to roll them back.” Goldman recommended the faculty members be required no more than one annual meeting with each non-tenured faculty member. He agreed with CMU that annual meetings with nontenured faculty are a good idea, but he also agreed with the FA that it was “redundant and
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laura frey
Academic Senate approves resolution to halt further action on medical college By Mike Nichols | Senior Reporter and Sammy Dubin | Staff Reporter
By Annie Harrison Senior Reporter
e r n est yo d e r
Mark Minelli
“At the heart of this motion is to get the university to be more forthcoming on the medical school.” Phil Squattrito, chemistry professor and former chairman of A-Senate
George Ross photos by charlotte bodak and jeff smith/photo staff
y e s : 76 p e r c e n t n o : 24 p e r c e n t
[INSIDE]
“Is (the administration) made of the young sapling maples that are peaceful students that really do speak their mind?” Joseph Finck, physics professor
video coverage w Watch Facebook, Twitter for a video of the meeting
In a hushed auditorium Tuesday, David Smith addressed the Academic Senate about what he called the “elephant in the room” regarding the College of Medicine. Smith, a professor of philosophy and religion, presented a resolution, which said “all work by, toward, and on behalf of the College of Medicine pertaining to curriculum, non-curricular policies and procedures, and faculty recruitment be suspended until such time as the above concerns have been addressed by and to the satisfaction of the Academic Senate.” The resolution with a 76-percent vote to halt further action was approved. However, it is unclear whether or not the motion will legitimately suspend action on CMED or remain symbolic. Phil Squattrito, a chemistry professor and former chairman, said although the A-Senate has control over curriculum, there is debate over who has authority over CMED. The A-Senate did adopt the CMED curriculum last year, but it was expected to be more involved with the process. “At the heart of this motion is to get the university to be more forthcoming on the medical school,” Squattrito said.
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The fact-finder agreed with CMU’s argument to eliminate language regarding payments to faculty members attaining terminal degrees. Goldman agreed with the FA’s promotion increment argument that CMU’s proposal to roll back amounts to pre-2006-07 levels and allow the increments to rise back to 2010-11 levels over the next two years would penalize those who obtained promotions in 2011 and 2012. The loss to base would compound those faculty members for the rest of their careers, according to the FA’s argument. “Perhaps, as the university argues, the promotion increments
CMED
CMU ‘looks forward’ to agreement
Director of Public Relations Steve Smith said Central Michigan University looks forward to using factfinding recommendations to reach an agreement with the Faculty Association. “From the beginning of negotiations with the Faculty Association, our goal has been to reach a collective bargaining agreement that is fair and equitable to all parties,” he said in an email. “With the recommendations of the independent, third-party fact-finder now in hand, we look forward to moving quickly toward reaching an agreement.” Fact-finder Barry Goldman’s non-binding recommendations were released Tuesday. FA President Laura Frey declined to comment but the FA bargaining team reviewed the report Tuesday evening. Chris Benison, president of the Students for Faculty registered student organization, said he believes Goldman gave his best advice to both parties involved in the contract negotiation. “My general impression is that Mr. Goldman did make an attempt to be as fair and impartial as possible given the circumstances,” the Mount Pleasant senior said. Benison, who is married to Kathleen Benison, professors of Geology and Meteorology, said his reaction to the fact-finder’s report was “neither favorable or unfavorable.” He said he is noncommittal because the report is non-binding and it will be up to the FA to review the specifics of the report.
whether the proposed bonus would violate Public Act 54’s prohibition against retroactive benefit increases,” he said. “I find the record before me does not justify the bonus.” Regarding retirement, the fact-finder sided with the FA and rejected CMU’s proposal for retirement contribution for those on a 10-percent plan to be based on base salary only. “I do not see any compelling reason for the change to contributions calculated on base salary only,” he said. “The fact that the university could save the money is not sufficient to justify eliminating an existing, bargained-for benefit.”
A-Senate voted to halt development of CMED.
A-Senate’s constitution states insofar as it is charged to “consider any matter relevant to the general welfare of the faculty” and to “deliberate and legislate upon matters of concern to the faculty, involving students, staff, instruction, financial policies, university planning and university organization when related to academic affairs.” The constitution states several concerns they can deliberate, including: Standards for appointment, promotion, tenure and dismissal of faculty members; except as covered by collective bargaining agreements. It is still undecided if CMED faculty will be includ-
93 Years of Serving as Central Michigan University’s Independent Voice
ed in the Faculty Association, since the contract negotiations are at an inpasse. Squattrito, Director of Public Relations Steve Smith and A-Senate Chairman Jim McDonald all said the area in the constitution was gray, and were unsure what authority A-Senate has in the matter. The concerns regarded the university’s lack of detailed account about the feasibility of the CMED with the ASenate, faculty and students. The main complaint of the motion was the university’s lack of public communication and low participation with faculty and students.
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