The UFF-FSU bargaining team, and its counterpart representing the Board of Trustees, have signed off on a memorandum of agreement concerning Winter Break. Ratification of this and other MOAs and article reopeners (e.g. the previously announced MOA on merit pay and the renegotiated version of Article 23 [Salaries]) will be held later this semester.
Texas, Don't Mess With Florida
UFF-FSU is examining several proposals for major reform of higher education in Florida. For now, we refer you to the following resource pages:
The Seven Breakthrough Solutions proposed for higher education in Texas are inspiring Governor Scott to consider similar reforms in Florida. For a humorous analysis of the Texas proposal, see these two 8-minute animated videos, produced by faculty at Texas A&M. For more formal responses, see Maintaining Excellence and Efficiency at UT-Austin: A Response to the “Seven Breakthroughs Solutions” and Other Proposals and Analysis of Efficiency and Graduation Rates at UT-Austin and Other Public Research Universities in the U.S., both published by the University of Texas – Austin.
We also suggest that you read Breakthrough Solutions for Higher Education: Florida Can Do Better than Texas, the document that President Barron presented to the FSU Board of Trustees at their September 2011 meeting, as well as the associated Tallahassee Democrat article.
They're back…Legislature to consider proposals to eliminate/change tenure
As expected, some of the bad ideas that failed to become Florida law last session are circulating again in pre-session circles. Among these are proposals to eliminate or change tenure in state-assisted higher education.
September "First" Friday
The September First Second Friday gathering will be held on September 9, from 5:00-7:00 at Miller’s Ale House, on the north side of Apalachee Parkway, just east of downtown (before Magnolia). This will be a chance to reconnect with colleagues after the summer, celebrate (and maybe even spend a bit of) your UFF-negotiated performance and merit raises, and brace yourself for the onslaught when the legislative committees return to make mischief in November.
As always, UFF-FSU will provide light snacks. All UFF-FSU members and their guests are invited.
Labor Day Picnic!
Our Big Bend Labor Chapter affiliate is hosting its annual Labor Day Picnic on Monday, September 5th, from 11am-4pm at Myers Park. All FSU faculty members and their families and guests are welcome. This event is open to the entire community. More information is at this link:
Labor Day Picnic!