NSEA Board Meeting Dates Fall/Winter 2011-12 Sat. October 15, 2011 Sat. November 5, 2011 Sat. December 3, 2011
The Higher Education Advocate Volume 5, No. 1
August/September, 2011
Sat. January 28, 2012 Sat. February 18, 2012
Inside this issue: HEA 3rd Higher Ed Biennial Conf.
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Higher Ed at the 2011 NEA RA
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Higher Ed at the Delegate Assembly
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NSEA Higher Education Advocacy Conferences
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NSEA GR Team fights for CIR
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Meet SEAN President Patrick White
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Visibility Grant Outcome: UNKEA Logo
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Wayne, Chadron And Peru State
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Academy Directorate
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Academy Hosts Third Biennial Higher Ed Conference The NSEA Higher Education Academy hosted the Third Nebraska Biennial Higher Education conference over June 17-18, 2011, at the Country Inn and Suites in Lincoln. Over 60 faculty, staff and guests from across the state gathered to discuss higher education issues of pedagogy, politics and educational reform. The theme of the conference was “Something’s Happening Here—Change and Consequence in Higher Education.” Keynote speakers tied local dynamics to the international reform movement. On Friday evening Dr. Marty Mahler, the Executive Director of the NebraskaP16 Dr. Marty Mahler Initiative, analyzed the local and state demands for more college graduates to compete in an increasingly international market. On Saturday, Dr. David Robinson, Associate Executive Director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and a senior advisor to Education International, surveyed global higher ed reform agendas and outlined the challenges to all faculty and higher ed professionDr. David Robinson als. The 12 conference sessions covered such topics as: Online teaching, assessment management, the implications of an aging faculty, cocurricular learning, the Concerns Based Adoption Model, faculty workload issues, the “Red Balloon” curricular and faculty reform movement, issues for mid-management academic professionals. Dr. Karla Hayashi, from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, detailed a Dr. Karla Hayashi Dr. Ron Wirtz unique collaborative writing project involving public high schools and two and four year colleges. Dr. Ron Wirtz, head of User Services at UNK, explained the New Information Literacy and how it is transforming academic libraries and research infrastructure.
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HEA Higher Ed Conference (Continued) Dr. Mike Kasper, a Senior Policy Analyst with the National Education Association (NEA), reviewed details of the Partnership for the 21st Century program and how the NEA was responding with programs and policies to assist at both the national and regional levels. Chris Waddle and Karen NSEA Vice President Leann Widhalm and NSEA President Rodgers offered an update on legislation in the Unicameral, developments Nancy Fulton at the keynote address with the P16 initiative and on community college campuses. The conferDr. Mike Kasper ence also featured awards presented to the University of Nebraska at Kearney Mike Kasper Education Association (UNKEA) and to the Nebraska State College Professional Association-Wayne State College (NSCPA-Wayne). The Higher Education Academy presented checks in the amount of $100 to each of the locals for having five or more members in attendance at the conference. Congrats to Kearney and Wayne! Comments from the conference evaluations included the following: “ Unbelievably great speakers across the sessions /keynotes. Great NSCPA -Wayne receives conference award interaction in sessions.” ; “Gave me a better understanding of NSEA, the HEA, and our local group.”; “The entire conference gave me food for thought. Need to keep thoughts flowing, not just in conference setting.”; “Great event. I would like to see this event happen every year.” Feedback is always important. So if you have any ideas or suggestions about the Biennial Conference HEA Vice President Joan Trimpey and NSEA Bargainplease send them along to any member of the Directorate. ing and Research Director Larry Scherer UNKEA receives conference award Thanks!
Nebraska Higher Education at the NEA Representative Assembly The NEA Representative Assembly was held June 30 through July 5, 2011 in Chicago. Every year more than 9,000 elected delegates from across the nation gather to direct policy and elect leadership for the NEA. It is very similar to Nebraska’s Delegate Assembly but on a grander scale. This year the NSEA Higher Education Academy was represented by Chris Waddle, attending as the NSEA Board member and automatic delegate, and Roger Davis, HEA President and elected delegate from the UNK local. This was an unusual year for Nebraska higher ed, because in addition to participating in the work of the Nebraska delegation, Roger Davis was also a candidate for one of the NEA Higher Education At-Large positions on the NEA national board. With Chris as campaign manager, the Nebraska candidate addressed 21 state caucuses in 19 different hotels across the Chicago landscape! As most caucus meetings ran from 7a.m. to 9a.m. each morning, it was quite an experience! With three candidates for office, Davis did make the run-off for the second position, but Roger Davis and Chris Waddle ultimately lost. However, overall, the higher education membership won with two very distinguished higher education members on the NEA Board. Elected to the Board were Dr. Catherine M. Leisek, Associate Professor of Visual and Performing Arts from Brower College in Florida, and Dr. Lisa Ossian, Professor of History from Des Moines Area Community College. All candidates are members of the NEA affiliate, National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). Many thanks go out to the members of the Nebraska delegation who made campaign contributions, held signs and chatted with voters. It was great to have some national visibility for higher education at the RA. Local associations are entitled to send delegates to the RA and it would be great to double the number of higher education members in the Nebraska delegation in the summer of 2012 when the RA will be held June 30 through July 5 in Washington, D.C.
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Higher Education A Visible Presence at NSEA Delegate Assembly
The NSEA Higher Education Academy district delegates were a notable presence at the 2011 NSEA Delegate Assembly. The DA was held over April 15-16 at the Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista Hotel and Conference Center. Sixteen higher ed delegates, representing eight of 14 locals, donned dayglow green shirts in support of the slogan “ Building A Strong Higher Education District.” Two delegates with scheduling conflicts found an alternative way to join in a meeting. Patti Blundell, HEA Faculty Area Rep, and Ann Petersen, HEA Treasurer, joined the HEA Directorate members for a preassembly meeting by Skype video. HEA Vice President Joan Trimpey not only staffed the Higher Education registration Patti and Ann Skyping in table, but also assembled some great “doggie bags” of goodies from Chadron! for the delegates. Delegates for the 2011 DA included Vickie Liles, Heidi Farrall and Christopher Waddle of Central Community College; Roger Davis, Registration Table William Aviles, Marc Albrecht and Jane Ziebarth-Bovill, from UNK; Joan Trimpey, Tim Bowling, Linda Chandler, Helen Tanderup and Kevin Throne, from Metro Community College; Bill Clemente from Peru State; Karen Granberg from Wayne State; and Mary Lister and Pam Burks from Mid-Plains Community College.
DA logo
VP Joan Trimpey and the “doggie” bags
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Higher Ed Advocacy Conference - 2011 and 2012 Thirty –seven officers and leaders of NSEA higher education locals from across the state gathered on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Kearney over February 11-12, 2011 for the second annual Higher Education Advocacy Conference. The conference program featured presentations on communication tools, budgeting, contract analysis, membership organizing, and a review of political issues regarding the CIR. Presenters included Larry Scherer, Rich Wergin, Al Koontz, Kristi Capek, Jerry Hoffman and Sheri Jablonski from the NSEA. Also featured were Mark McGuire, NSEA legal Sheri Jablonski counsel, and Gregg Gascon, a fiscal analyst specialist from the Ohio Education Association. The conference also provided a great opportunity for Higher Ed leaders to network and share experiences and ideas. Comments on the evaluation sheets indicated a successful meeting. Among the kudos were these: “Overall the conference was great. Great speakers, information, and food!;” “Good for folks to meet and share ideas and just see each other.” and “Thanks for hosting this event. It was well organized and everyone involved were great to visit with. The facility was great. The weather was great. Looking forward to next year.” And, next year and the next conference are not far off! The 2012 NSEA Higher Education Academy Advocacy Conference will held over February 10-11 again at the student union building at UNK. More information and registration will be announced later on. If you would like to see more photos of the conference, and a video of Mark McGuire’s presentation, just visit HEA Secretary Bill Clemente’s blog site by typing “AroundPeru NSEA” in your Google search.
Gregg Gascon
NSEA EFFORTS PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE COMMISSION OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS The NSEA Government Relations team worked tirelessly on behalf of all members to preserve the integrity of the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations in the 2011 legislative session. The CIR has been successful in providing an effective dispute resolution process that provides predictability and reasonableness for school districts and school employees when the parties are at impasse. The CIR process supports the public interest by ensuring the continued delivery of essential public services without any threat of employee strikes or work stoppages. CIR decisions are based on the average – not top salaries, not the best benefits but rather the average compensation of similarlysituated employees. Despite the fact that the CIR has been a fair, effective and reasonBrian Mikkelsen Jerry Hoffman Karen Kilgarin able dispute resolution system for over the last 40 years, anti-labor interests launched a major effort to terminate the CIR or significantly change its function into solely a recommending body. The GR team of Karen Kilgarin, Jerry Hoffmand and Brian Mikkelsen logged extensive hours in the capitol building working with friends and allies to turn back the assault on the CIR. Following a difficult and lengthy process of negotiation the modifications to the CIR, deleting the Special Master provision, were slight and the outcome maintains the body and its authority in place. This was a great victory for all of organized labor in Nebraska and a special hard-earned accomplishment for our NSEA team. The next time you field a question about what members receive for their dues monies, please note the hard work and success of our government relations professionals working on our behalf in the political arena.
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Meet Patrick White, President - Student Education Association of Nebraska
SEAN Student Education Association of Nebraska Through the Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN), the NSEA provides professional resources and support to teachers in training. That added preparation helps young teachers get off to a successful career start, and provides NSEA with a core group of future Association leaders. SEAN chapters are located on 16 Nebraska college and university campuses, with a combined statewide membership of more than 1,500 and growing. Dues for membership in SEAN/NSEA/NEA are $28 annually. Membership provides student with important liability insurance coverage while student teaching, as well as many of the same benefits as active teachers/members. A portion of the dues are refunded to SEAN members with their first year of membership in the NSEA when they begin their professional career. SEAN sends delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly as well as to NSEA's Delegate Assembly. The SEAN president serves as a non-voting member of the NSEA Board of Directors. SEAN website: http://nsea.org/members/ sean/index.htm
Hello, my name is Patrick White! I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. I attended St. Pius X/St. Leo School for grade school and Gretna High School. There I was involved in theatre and speech and found a mentor in one of the finest English teachers I've had the pleasure of knowing. Following high school, I went on to study at Hastings College where I am now studying education. I intend to become a high school language arts teacher. I was elected last year to be Student Education Association of Nebraska President for the 2011-2012 year. Since being elected, I have been very busy working on promotional materials with Nebraska State Education Association staff, going to conferences to Patrick White improve our state chapter and participated in a rally in Washington, D.C., for education. I will do everything in my power to make this a successful year for SEAN not only in membership, but also in activism at our Outreach to Teach events and other activities. SEAN's membership slogan this year is "Make It official.” The "Make It Official" slogan is to coincide with our newly created Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SEANebraska<http:// www.facebook.com/SEANebraska>. Please join the site so you continue to be informed of any and all SEAN updates. In addition to the Facebook site we are starting off the year strong with nearly 500 members registered and it's only September! Thank you for your continued support and please keep spreading the message of SEAN to your fellow students. Please feel free to contact me at 402-660-2167 if you have questions, concerns, or ideas.
HEA Visibility Grant Makes Its Mark! When the UNK Education Association won their $400 Visibility Grant last February they determined to insure that the dollars would be spent in the true spirit of the grant title. So they launched a contest to establish a formal logo for the University of Nebraska at Kearney Education Association (UNKEA). The local offered $200 for the winning entry and invited any faculty, staff, or student to participate. The winner was UNK senior Alyssa Johnson from Grand Island. A major in Visual Communication and Design, Alyssa certainly proved her worth by taking home the prize! In her statement about the design of the logo she wrote:”Ideas in art, theater, philosophy, and science that were adopted from the ancient Greeks have become core aspects of our western society today. In designing the new logo for the University of Nebraska at Kearney Education Association I felt that the ancient Greek column would best represent the association. Not only does the column represent the connection that the organization has with UNK, it also represents the deep roots our society and university system have in the ancient Greek culture. The Greek column is a fitting symbol for the Education Association because of its commitment to helping individuals who further education and continually pursue knowledge.” Congratulations to Alyssa and to the UNKEA for a job well Alyssa Johnson and Bill Wozniak done, and, most definitely quite visible!
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New Officers, Popcorn Days, and a Pending Presidential Visit for NSCPA at Wayne State College! NSCPA-Wayne has recently elected new officers. In addition, President Charissa Loftis reports the following: “Members also served concessions at the Majestic Theater in Wayne as a fundraiser. Those who volunteered enjoyed the experience and the movie! (also) The NSCPA-Wayne is expecting a visit from NSEA President, Nancy Fulton, at our October membership meeting. We look forward to her visit.” A great example of reaching out to the community! Pictured clockwise, starting with the upper left hand photo: Charissa Loftis -President; Loren Kuchera-Vice President, Michelle Meyer-Secretary and Derek Anderson-Treasurer
Chadron Members Support CSCEA Student Scholarship Program Jerry Haugland, Chadron State College Education Association Vice President and Scholarship Committee Chair, reports that three students at Chadron State College were awarded $500 Academic Merit scholarships for the 2010-2011 school year by CSCEA. The school Dr. Jerry Haugland of arts and sciences award was awarded to Ember Welsch. The school of education, human performance, counseling, psychology and social work was awarded to Jamie Lewandowski. The school of business, entrepreneurship, applied & social sciences and sciences was awarded to Annamae Lindsley. Students from each of the college’s three schools are selected through an application process. The money the students receive comes from the CSCEA faculty dues.
Peru State College Education Association Vice President Assists Durham Museum Program.
Dr. Spencer Davis
The Durham Museum, Omaha, Nebraska, is one of five museums across the nation that has hosted the Library of Congress Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibit “With Malice Toward None.” The committee that planned the Museum’s activities to accompany the exhibit included Dr. Spencer Davis, Peru State College Professor of History and PSCEA VicePresident. During the exhibit January – March, 2011) Professor Davis conducted Saturday guided tours of the display and directed a Lincoln Reading Club in conjunction with the exhibit. This is another fine example of our HEA higher education leadership involved in community programs and projects.
Register Now! NSEA Fall Bargaining Conference Holiday Inn-Midtown, Grand Island October 21-22 Registration Online at NSEA.org
August/September 2011
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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 308-432-6454 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