NSEA Board Meeting Dates Winter 2012 Sat. January 28 Sat. . February 18 Sat. March 17
The Higher Education Advocate Volume 5, No. 2
December, 2011
Higher Ed at NSEA Fall Bargaining Conference
Inside this issue: HEA at Fall Bargaining Conf.
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HEA Monitors CFHE in Boston
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Waddle tapped For HR Post at Central CC
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NEA Emerging Leader Academy Nominations
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HEA Elections Coming Up
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2012 Advocacy Conference set For UNK site
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NEA Higher Ed 5 Conference Registration Open Academy Directorate Info.
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The NSEA Higher Education community was well represented at the Fall Collective Bargaining Conference with twenty-nine HEA members in attendance. Held at the Grand Island Midtown Holiday Inn over October 21 and 22, the program featured presentations by NSEA Legal Council Mark McGuire and Scott Norby, NSEA Director of Bargaining and Research, Larry Scherer, and, from the NEA a special presentation on national developments in collective bargaining by Bill Raabe, NEA Director of Collective Bargaining and Member Advocacy. The conference focused upon the changes made to the Commission on Industrial Relations (CIR) as a Higher Education Academy members at the NSEA Collective Bargaining Conference result of LB 397 and implications for collective bargaining. Randy Richardson, the Associate Executive Director of the Iowa State Education Association, reviewed how bargaining is conducted in that state, which has functioned under a similar set of rules. As a special presentation, Nebraska Senator Steve Lathrop reviewed the legislative process which created LB 397. In his view NEA Director Bill Raabe the legislature generally feels it has fulfilled its task of addressing concerns about the CIR and he does not anticipate further actions, although he cautioned that there are still interest groups who would like to see public collective barSenator Lathrop gaining curtailed. The conference also featured break-out sessions for ESP, community college, and state college and university bargaining groups. Also attending the conference, at the invitation of the HEA as part of an outreach effort, were three officers of the AAUP chapter from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. James Shaw is President of the chapter. He was accompanied by John Kretzchmar and Edgar Moore, both officers in the UNO local. Jim is the Director of Collections for the UNO library. John and Edgar are faculty working with the UNO William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies. HEA members in attendance represented Central Community College (Grand Island and Jerry Hoffman and Katherine Bahr reviewing issues Hastings), Metro Community College, Mid-Plains Community College, Northeast Community College, Chadron State College, Wayne State College, Peru State College and the University of Nebraska at Kearney. AAUP guests, Jim, John and Edgar
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HEA Monitors Campaign for the Future of Higher Education On November 4-6, Joan Trimpey, Vice-President of NSEA Higher Education Academy Directorate and Karen Granberg, Academic Professional Representative, attended the second national gathering of the Mike Kasper Campaign for the Future of Higher Education (CFHE) , hosted by the University of Massachusetts in Boston. Granberg, in noting her anticipation of attending the event, declared, “Any movement that engages Joan Trimpey faculty, students and staff on campuses across the nation in the discussion of changes that are taking place in higher education right now is a movement that Karen Granberg piques my interest and renews my energy.” More about the CFHE can be found on their Website at: http://www.futureofhighered.org The theme for the gathering was “We’re All in This Together.” Higher education faculty and staff from many states across the country came to Boston to continue the work launched in January of this year. The stated goals are to emphatically voice concern that any changes in emphasis, curriculum, pricing, and structure of higher education must be good for students, the quality of education they receive, democracy, and the place of this country in the global economy. The campaign participants acknowledge important work being done by many diverse organizations toward these goals. NEA is one of these organizations. The campaign invites collaboration and coordination with student movements, organized community and civil rights campaigns, unions, and allies to create a concerted effort toward ensuring affordable, quality education accessible to all sectors of our society. They issued a statement in support and solidarity with Occupy Wall Street: “We are and we educate the 99%.” At the gathering were representatives of United States Student Association (USSA), who brought news of their work at UMass and at Occupy Boston. The goals of this gathering were to deepen understandings among participants, offer mutual support of local and national efforts, discuss financing of the campaign, and identify short term and long term priorities. Sessions included an update on and discussion of the new CFHE Think Tank; overcoming challenges to unity and solidarity in the higher education community; media engagement; organizational structure and financing; and creating a vision and action plan for the next 2-3 years. A set of principles (http://www.futureofhighered.org/ Principles.html) has been drafted and agreed upon that sets forth a framework for developing and assessing proposals for change in higher education both locally and nationally. As conversations about specific changes take place, these principles are proposed as a filter to examine the worth of any new structural ideas/plans, identifying real and significant improvements, setting the public agenda, and challenging changes that benefit primarily large private interests.
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Three major issues were at the forefront of CFHE concerns at this gathering: affordability, accessibility and quality of higher education. Questions being brought forward included: “Where’s the funding?” “Hundreds of thousands are not being served - who’s NOT attending community colleges?” “Who is professional staff and how can s/he teach so many classes?” A variety of ideas for action were brought forward: 1) engage students in the conversations –faculty working conditions are student learning conditions; 2) set the public agenda - use the principles to frame the issues; 3) give a voice to the issues through local media – frame the message; and 4) support and participate in local labor associations – academic issues are labor issues. A video of the launching of CFHE on May 31 of this year has been posted at: http://futureofhighered.org/Campaign__Kickoff.html Trimpey, responding to the campaign experience on a personal note, stated, “ I found this a very interesting group, but not one that I would totally support at this time due to a number of issues and how those issues should/are being handled. I think we should continue to watch this group, but before signing on as a total group in support of this campaign, make sure that all of our membership understands the what, how and why of this group.” The members of NSEA-HEA are encouraged to check out CFHE at the websites in this article and make your voice heard.
HEA Board Member Named Central Community College Human Resources Director The President of Central Community College has announced that CCC Political Science Professor Christopher Waddle has been named the Central Community College Human Resources Executive Director. Chris will be succeeding Doug Adler who retired after more than 30 years of service. Chris has served as membership coordinator and as President of the CCC campus local in Hastings and was elected as the NSEA Higher Education Board Member in 2009. His term runs to August 2012. Upon hearing the news one of Chris’s colleagues remarked, “You have been such a great asset to the Hastings campus and to academic education/social sciences college–wide. I wish we could keep you here, but I know Christopher Waddle the rest of CCC will benefit greatly from your new role.” Another colleague commented, “I think CCC needs a fresh voice in the HR office and with Chris’s past experience, I believe they found it! I’m excited to work with him in that capacity and actually, I think he can continue to be a GREAT advocate for us.” Congratulations to Chris! And heads-up to members who would like to be candidates for the Higher Ed Board seat!
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NEA Higher Education Emerging Leader Academy (ELA) Your Opportunity to Lead! The NEA has announced the opening of nominations for candidates for the tenth annual NEA Higher Education Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA). The purpose of the ELA is to provide hands-on training to new and future leaders of the NEA higher education locals to help strengthen the long term viability and effectiveness of these locals and their state associations. The ELA is designed to strengthen leadership skills and provide emerging leaders an opportunity to become part of a national network of ELA class members and graduates. The deadline for application is February 20, 2012. See your local leadership for application forms or go to the NEA website=http://www.nea.org/home/37067.htm What is the ELA? The NEA Higher Education Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) is a three session training program over a nine month period that is open to dues paying higher education members from all categories of higher education who meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Candidates can apply for the program directly but must be endorsed by their state association or higher education affiliate. The ELA coursework focuses on four major areas: The principles of unionism with an emphasis on effective collective action in states with and without collective bargaining; How to use the structure, resources, culture, and work of NEA effectively as a local leader; Skill building in areas such as issue organizing, member recruitment and mobilization, and communication; Self-reflection and group work in leadership and group dynamics. Training Sessions: There are three training sessions over a nine-month period. The training schedule for the three sessions is as follows: Session #1: May or June – 5 training days Session #2: November – 4 training days Session #3: February or March – 2 training days plus attendance at the NEA National Higher Education Conference – 3 days NEA covers all expenses allowable under its travel guideline for all training activities, including attendance at the Higher Education Conference *Please note that session dates are subject to change. Who Is Eligible to Apply? All categories of higher education members; full-or part-time/contingent faculty, education support professionals (ESP), academic (non/instructional) professionals, and graduate assistants as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. What are the eligibility requirements? Candidates should have an interest in becoming more active and show leadership potential and commitment to building a strong local union/association, be open to new experiences, be committed to being respectful of their classmates and trainers, and be willing to participate in the sessions in good faith and be willing to complete all ELA assignments during and between sessions.
Nebraska in the Emerging Leaders Academy! Yes, you can be an ELA member! Many Nebraska higher education colleagues are alumni of the ELA. Featured left is a photo of Charissa Loftis (third from the left ) from Wayne State College, who is currently part of the ELA class of 2012. The photo on the right features Pam Burkes of North Platte Community College, Karen Granberg, of Wayne State College, and Mary Gobel-Lundholm from Peru State College, graduates of the Class of 2010.
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Higher Education Academy Elections Coming Up in 2012! President, Secretary, and Board Member Open for Nomination in January! Not only are Santa and the New Year coming, but soon the NSEA elections will be with us! For the Higher Education Academy we have three offices open from the Directorate: President, Secretary and the NSEA Higher Ed Board member. Filing for office begins on January 1 and is done through the NSEA website. Candidates can file for office up through February 19. Candidates will have the opportunity to post a statement on behalf of their candidacy on the website. Candidates may also purchase ad space in the Voice . Balloting will be on line and will begin on March 7 and continue through March 23. The results of the election are reviewed and approved by the Board at the April 20 meeting. The Higher Ed offices are three year terms, serving August, 2012 through July, 2015. This is a great opportunity for members to contribute to the continued success of our Higher Education Academy. Please consider running for these offices. For more information about the work of the Directorate and specifically about these offices, contact any member of the HEA Directorate: Roger Davis, President (davisr@unk.edu); Joan Trimpey, Vice President (jtrimpey@mccneb.edu); Bill Clemente, Secretary (bclemente@mac.com); Ann Peterson, Treasurer(apetersen@csc.edu); Patti Blundell, Faculty Rep. (pblendell@csc.edu); Karen Granberg, Academic Prof. Rep (kagranb1@wsc.edu); Lael Churchill, ESP Rep. (Churchill@gtmc.net); Christopher Waddle, NSEA Board Member (cwaddle@cccneb.edu). At this point it appears that none of the incumbents will be running for re-election so the field is wide open!
HEA 2012 Advocacy Conference February 10-11 at UNK Campus The 2012 Higher Education Advocacy Conference will once again be held on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, in the UNK student union. The dates are Friday and Saturday, February 10-11. At the moment, the plan is that following registration and introductions on Friday, sessions will run to 8:30pm. On Saturday the general meeting and sessions will run from 8:00am to 3:00pm. More information about sessions and support for member attendance will be coming shortly. For now, please mark those calendars and plan on attending our higher education advocacy conference and general district meeting in February!
2012 NEA Higher Education Conference – March 2-4 - Chicago The 30th Annual NEA Higher Education Conference will be held March 2-4 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago. Its theme, "Defining Our Values, Affirming our Ideas," promises to offer specialized information and training in the areas of higher-ed policy, organizing, and professional development to faculty, staff, and support professionals alike. Leadership Day will be held Thursday, March 1, 2012 and will focus on specific organizing challenges. Topics explored in the panels include funding challenges of higher education, faculty salary and benefits, job security for both faculty and ESPs, challenges affecting higher education collective bargaining in Ohio and Wisconsin, effective teaching, and diversity issues in higher education. A complete agenda will be posted in January. Member Registration Fee is $225.00 but is discounted to $175 if you register by Friday, February 17, 2012. For more information and updates visit the NEA website for Higher Education Faculty and Staff at: http://www.nea.org/home/1602.htm.
Volume 5, No. 2
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December, 2011
Your Higher Education Academy Directorate
Christopher Waddle Central Community College Board Member 402-476-8222 cwaddle@cccneb.edu
Bill Clemente Peru State College Secretary 402-872-2233 bclemente@mac.com
Patti Blundell Chadron State College Faculty Representative 308-432-6469 pblundell@csc.edu
Roger Davis University of Nebraska at Kearney President 308-865-8771 davisr@unk.edu
Joan Trimpey Metro Community College Vice President 402-738-4675 jtrimpey@mccneb.edu
Ann Petersen Chadron State College Treasurer 308-432-6337 apetersen@csc.edu
Karen Granberg NSCPA-Wayne State College Academic Prof. Rep. 402-375-7321 kagranb1@wsc.edu
Lael Churchill Central Community College ESP Representative 402-461-2491 Churchill@gtmc.net