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MCCC President Tom Parsons

Testifies on Reorganization Plan

On Tuesday, March 12, 1996, House Ways and Means held a hearing on the governor's House I budget at Springfield Technical Community College(STCC)and on March 14, the Education Committee held a hearing on the governor's education budget.

At the hearing at STCC, James Carlin, the chair of the Higher Education Coordinating Council testified that HECC could withstand a budget cut of $30 million. Carlin's plan is to convince legislators that taxpayers need to increase contributions to public higher education, and as a result, does not advocate increased public spending on public higher education at this time. He also spoke about increased productivity from faculty, citing specifically the community colleges 12 hours work week. Carlin cited cost savings measures that included increasing faculty workload to 15 hours. Middlesex Community College President Carol Cowan and Holyoke Community College David Bartley both testified that the campuses need a 4% base inflation adjustment, separate line-items for technology needs; a fair share funding bill, funding of collective bargaining contracts, and appropriation of capital funds. President Bartley also responded to Carlin's swipe at the 12-hour workload. He stated that faculty work 40 to 50 hours a week, don't have money from 2 1/2 years ago, and provide the "biggest bang for the buck at the community colleges."

At the hearing in Boston, Senate President Tom Birmingham made it clear that he did not feel that the proposed cuts in pre K-12 and higher education were good for the system. Senator Marion Walsh (D Boston) was particularly pointed in her questions to Carlin trying to elicit from him who he thought the public higher education system should service. With decreased tuition and increased standards, the questioned remained unanswered by Carlin. Carlin also raised the ire of MCCC President Tom Parsons when he stated that Roxbury Community College was not working. Carlin anecdotally cited Roxbury Community College as a reason for reorganization saying that no one would agree that it was a well-run institution.

MCCC Tom Parsons, in his remarks before the Education Committee, reminded it that the community colleges were founded on three anchors: direct service to the community, open access, and low cost. "Clearly everything we have heard is that we have accomplished our mission. In addition decisions are made at the college level where the college is in direct contact with the community. It makes no sense to take decision making from the colleges."

Parsons also stated that the issue of open access has become a fallacy. When the state's funding diminished, tuition and fees were increased in order for the colleges to meet their missions. "It is an illusion that you are improving quality and meeting the missions of the public higher education sector when you decrease tuition and increase standards." This is just an excuse to downsize and privatize.

Reacting to Carlin's comments about Roxbury Community College, Parsons responded stating that, "In fact, Roxbury did have some problems a few years ago, but it is on its way to being a well-run college and is meeting the needs of the community. Representative Shirley Owens-Hicks made it clear that the Education Committee would discuss Carlin's remarks relative to Roxbury.

The House Ways and Means Budget is expected to be out during the first part of April. The MCCC, MTA, and community and state colleges presidents will be working together to restore funding to higher education. Please be ready to respond to help with the budget or the governor's reorganization plan. We cannot let higher education be centralized or under funded.

MCCC Annual Meeting

BHCC's Herb Gross Keynoter

Herb Gross a math professor at Bunker Hill Community College will be luncheon speaker at this year's MCCC Delegate Assembly on Saturday, April 20, 1996.

Gross travels this country giving speeches and entertaining his audiences with his observations and insights into the community colleges and its role in our society. In addition to numerous awards, books and teaching videotapes, he was the founding president of the American Mathematical Association of Two year Colleges (AMATYC) and, earlier, the New York State Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges (NYSMATYC).

He spends his summers preparing educational materials for and teaching in prisons in North Carolina.

Gross was one of the most entertaining commencement speakers at Massasoit Community College a few years ago, and received a standing ovation from 1200 community college mathematics educators when he spoke to the national meeting in Boston in 1993.

Don't miss this opportunity to participate in the MCCC Delegate Assembly and listen to a colleague and a message.

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Account Summary and Dues Recommendation

The MCCC Finance Committee recommended and the Board of Directors voted to recommend a dues level of $140 for full-time members and $42 dues for DCE members. This represents an increase of $8 for full-time members and an increase of $2 for DCE members.

The basis for the increase comes from the implementation of programs started two years ago. Local chapters have more financial independence because of an in crease in the reimbursement to chapters in local support and dues.

A substantial amount of the increase in the budgeted amounts will be funded from the Cash Stability Fund as the Finance Committee believes that account is presently higher than necessary. Revenues are expected to be $576,372 while expenses are expected to be approximately $720,510. This will result in a reduction of the Stability Fund by approximately $144,138.

*1994's delegate assembly, when it approved the budget, also approved a stipend schedule for officers and coordinators based on a percentage of the president's stipend. The ratio is: President 100%; vice president 55%; treasurer 75%; secretary 40%; day grievance 80%; DCE grievance 55%; and communications 55%.

In addition, the stipend does not reflect the continuous service adjustment for coordinators which was voted by that delegate assembly as well. 0-2 years, no adjustment; 3-4, $400; 5-6 $800; 7-8$1200; 9-10, $1600; and more than 10, $2000. The DCE Coordinator will receive an adjustment of $1200 and the Grievance and Communications Coordinators will receive a $2,000 adjustment.

Revenue Projections

It is estimated that full-time membership will total 2,010, DCE membership is estimated at 3,600 which translates to the full-time equivalent of 1080 FTE (3,600 x .3) members/agency fee payers.

Proposed Fiscal 1997 Budget

Account	FY '96 Adopted	FY '97 Board Rec.	Increase (Decrease)
01 Stipends*	$90,650	93,450	2,800
President	18,650	19,150	500
Vice President	10,250	10,550	300
Treasurer	14,000	14,400	400
Secretary	7,500	7,700	200
Grievance Coordinator*	14,950	15,350	400
Communication Coordinator*	10,250	10,550	300
DCE Coordinator*	10,250	10,550	300
02 Secretarial Services	73,800	69,500	(4,300)
03 Released Time	102,400	102,400	-0-
11 Executive Committee	13,600	16,900	3,300
12 Board of Directors	9,990	11,500	1,510
13 Committee Travel	2,200	2,100	(100)
14 Conference Expenses	52,100	52,100	-0-
15 Coordinator Travel	16,800	18,800	2,000
18 Professional Development	7,000	7000	-0-
22 Telephone	36,000	37,500	1,500
24 Postage	26,250	19,400	(6,850)
25 Equipment	7,200	7,200	-0-
26 Office Supplies	20,800	27,500	6,700
27 Printing	52,200	36,000	(16,200)
28 Paper	1,000	2,000	1,000
29 Bank Service Charges	600	750	150
31 Memberships	2,400	2,000	(400)
44 Payroll Taxes	11,820	12,200	380
45 Insurance	850	850	-0-
51 Professional Fees	10,000	11,000	1,000
53 Donations	1,000	1,500	500
54 Negotiations	43,800	21,150	(22,650)
55 Arbitrations	24,650	33,700	9,050
56 DCE Arbitrations	15,100	12,100	(3,000)
57 Penalties and Fees	100	-0-	(100)
71 Chapter Dues	52,400	52,400	-0-
73 Local Support	45,800	45,800	-0-
	720,510	696,800	(23,710)

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Correction

Abe Sherf s campaign statement in the February Newsletter should have read: innovative approaches not innovate approaches and continuing coordination not continuing coordinator.

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MCCC and MTA Ballots in the Mail

All unit members should have received an MCCC ballot in the mail. This ballot is for the election of MCCC officers and delegates to the MTA Annual Meeting and the NEA Representative Assembly. This ballot is due back to the elections committee no later than April 4, 1996.

MTA ballots will be in your mail within the next couple of weeks. Again the envelope will be clearly marked. This ballot will be for elections to NEA Board and statewide delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly. There are a number of candidates from Region H (higher education). Please do not discard the ballot. VOTE

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MCCC & MTA Membership for Retirees

For those unit members anticipating retirement, they should consider maintaining their members in both the MCCC and MTA. For approximately $13 a year for MCCC dues and $15 a year for MTA dues, retirees can continue to use benefits from Educators Services, Communications, and lobbying. The MTA Board recently voted to hire a full-time retirement consultant to help organize retirees and provide better service. If any retiree is interested in maintaining membership, they should contact MTA membership and their chapter president for further information.

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MCCC Delegate
Assembly Saturday,
April 20, 1996

The MCCC will hold its annual meeting of delegates at Mt. Wachusett Community College on Saturday, April 20, 1996. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m.

In addition to the budget, the focus of this year's meeting will be on the governor's budget, his reorganization plan for higher education, and MCCC political action plan.

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Day and DCE Contract Updates

DAY

As of February 29, 1996, we are under the new MCCC contract. MCCC Bargaining Chair Dennis Fitzgerald was informed that the contract funding bill is on Governor Weld's desk and should be signed before you read this. The MCCC does not anticipate a problem with the funding, but it is difficult to predict when the increases will appear in the checks. The money should be, though it is no guarantee, in the checks in this fiscal year that ends June 30, 1996.

Education Needs. Fitzgerald has forwarded information regarding educational needs guidelines to the attorney for the presidents, Henry Stewart. Fitzgerald expects information back by the end of March. The Team will meet to discuss how the educational needs will be handled within the system.

Classification Committee. As part of the contract settlement, a committee must be established with significant representation from the MCCC. Fitzgerald is waiting for the number of MCCC representatives who will serve on the committee. Members to this committee will be appointed from the Day Negotiating Team.

New contracts are in the process of being produced and should be distributed by the end of April.

DCE

The contract is expected to be executed by the end of March. Some colleges have already implemented the salary increase retroactive to January, 1996 (other colleges are waiting for execution). As soon as the contract is executed, however, all colleges will implement the new salary schedule. The new three-step salary schedule will be implemented at the first summer session for 1996.

Anyone having a complaint or concern about the Blue Cross Dental plan and coverage should direct his or her comments to

Abe Sherf,
North Shore Community College.

He is the community college representative on the Health and Welfare Trust Fund.

What is NEA DUES-TAB?

No cost life insurance for all eligible members!

Five times the basic benefit for accidental death and dismemberment !

$50,000 AD & D coverage while on the job or serving as the Association leader!

Questions & Answers About NEA DUES-TAB?

What is NEA DUES-TAB?

NEA DUES-TAB is insurance coverage consisting of a life insurance benefit, an accidental death and dismemberment benefit, and a special S50,000 benefit for accidental death and dismemberment that occurs while on the job or serving as an Association leader. This program is an automatic benefit provided at absolutely no cost to eligible NEA members.

Who is eligible for NEA DUES-TAB?

All active, Reserve, Staff, and Life members are eligible for NEA DUES-TAB. Life members must be actively employed in the field of education.

What is my initial NEA DUES-TAB Life Insurance Benefit?

The DUES-TAB benefit for natural death will depend on your number of continuous years of NEA membership. Quite simply, is an amount equivalent to your NEA dues paid since membership year 1981-1982. This amount will increase each year until it reaches a maximum of S1,000.

Please note that membership must be continuous. This means that if you leave the Association. all accumulated coverage will be lost.

Will the Benefit always stay the same?

No, your life benefit will increase every year by the same amount as that year's NEA dues, up to a maximum of S1,000. Of course, the continuous membership requirement still applies.

What is the DUES-TAB accidental death and dismemberment benefit?

All eligible members will also receive no-cost accidental death and dismemberment insurance equal to five times their life insurance benefit! This valuable coverage will increase every year, to a maximum of $5,000.

How can I find our more about NEA DUES-TAB?

For additional information or to register your beneficiary, write to: NEA Member Benefits, 900 Clopper Road, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878-1356. Or call toll free at 1-800-637-4636 and register right over the phone!

Looking for a Job

The vacancies within the community colleges are easily accessible on the MTA Bulletin Board System (BBS) (1-800-523- 8883) You can read, download, and/or print these vacancies at your terminal. If you do not have access to a modem, a printout can be faxed to you. Fax your request to the Communications Coordinator at 617- 236-0448. You must include the name of the college(s) where you work.

For the first time user. When you call into the BBS, you will need to provide some information to the systems operator. You can get on the BBS immediately and choose your password. Once you get on the BBS, follow these steps to get to the vacancy area. Enter your name and password, Select F(ile); 6(Vacancies in community colleges); (F)files in this area; (V)iew and type in the first two numbers of the last dated entry e.g., 42-11-1996 (You would type 42).

Only questions specific to the MTA BBS should be directed to the systems Operator (SYSop) Ron Miller (1-508-653-7244), preferably through the BBS. If you have specific questions about a vacancy, call the college.

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Know Your Contract

Mar. 30	Department chair evaluations
Mar. 30	Faculty submit preferred schedule and courses
Mar. 31	Department chair vacancies announced
April 1	Part-time student evaluation packets distributed
April 3	Dean's fall Leave of Absence and Tenure recommendations
April 3	Fall sabbatical recommendations due from president
April 15	Dean's tenure recommendations due
April 15	Title changes announced

N.B. Dates may vary depending on first day of classes. Also, most of these dates are "last date" standards. In many instances, the action can he accomplished before the date indicated.

MCCC Newsletter Editor: Catherine A. Boudreau MCCC/MTA Newsletter 20 Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108

The MCCC Newsletter is a publication of the Massachusetts Community College Council. The Newsletter is intended to be an information source for the members of the MCCC and for other interested parties. The material in this publication may be reprinted with the acknowledgment of its source. For further information on issues discussed in this publication, contact Catherine Boudreau, Massasoit Community College, Brockton, MA 02402.

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