PSU-AAUP Weekly Updates

1. Write a letter to President Bernstine and Provost Reardon about Compensation
Send a letter or an email message to the President and the Provost about the AAUP compensation plan. The AAUP Bargaining Team has created a long-term plan to raise faculty salaries and maintain fully-paid health care.

For details and a sample letter, see the “3 Point Plan for Compensation” and “Sample Letter to Bernstein.”

Our goal is to send 100 letters before Commencement on June 11. So far we have received copies of 20 letters.

Don’t forget to cc. AAUP so we can keep a running tally of letters sent.

2. Pick up a FREE bargaining t-shirt and wear it on campus
The AAUP Contract Action Team has designed a bargaining t-shirt. It is a beautiful 100% cotton green shirt with yellow and white lettering. The front says “The Campaign for Portland State Faculty 2005.” The back says “Bridging the Gaps,” “Quality-Dedication-Community,” and “American Association of University Professors.”

The first 300 t-shirts will be distributed FREE to bargaining unit members on a first-come, first-served basis. Just come over to the AAUP office (232 SMSU) between 9 and 5 Monday to Friday to pick out your size (S-XXL). If you prefer, we can deliver a t-shirt to you. Just email (aaup@psuaaup.net) or phone (5-4414) and let us know your size (S-XXL) and campus address.

3. Rally before final bargaining session on June 7 at 11:50a.m. outside of 323 SMSU
Tuesday, June 7, is the final bargaining session of this term. The AAUP Bargaining Team has presented a package proposal that, if the Administration agrees to it, means we could settle the contract on June 7. Come and tell PSU Administration that you support the AAUP faculty compensation plan and you want to settle the contract now.

Please attend this important meeting--and bring a colleague or two!

Observers Invited to Tuesday, May 24 Bargaining Session
The next bargaining session is Tuesday, May 24, 12-2 p.m. in 323 Smith Center. The topic of discussion is academic professional faculty issues including compensation, evaluation, and promotion opportunities.

All members of the bargaining unit are encouraged to observe the session. Observers do not have to stay for the entire 2 hours. If you observe, you are not expected to participate in negotiations.

Attending Commencement?
All tenured faculty members are contractually obligated to attend commencement. Article 4 (Responsibilities of the Members) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement says that "Members of the bargaining unit shall be available to perform duties during the period of their contractual appointments including . . . attendance at spring commencement by all tenured faculty."

While fixed-term research and instructional and academic professional faculty members are not contractually obligated to attend, they are welcome.

The PSU spring commencement ceremony will be Saturday, June 11, 3 p.m. at the Rose Garden Arena. Transportation from PSU to the Rose Garden Arena will begin at 12 p.m. Faculty Lunch begins at 1 p.m.

More faculty members need to register for commencement! As of today, only 69 faculty members had indicated they were planning to attend with an additional 68 volunteering to serve as marshals and 17 to participate in hooding doctoral candidates.

To register for commencement, go to http://www.pdx.edu/commencement/faculty.html

To order your commencement regalia, go to http://www.portlandstatebookstore.com

Regalia Reimbursement Still Available
It's not too late to request reimbursement for your regalia rental! If you are an AAUP dues-paying member, all you need to do is bring or send a copy of your receipt to the PSU-AAUP office at 232 SMSU. Please indicate the address where you would like your check mailed.

Regalia reimbursement requests will be honored until October 15, 2005.

If you have any questions about this message, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Julia Getchell
Chapter Coordinator
PSU-AAUP
503-725-4414
aaup@psuaaup.net

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May 5, 2005

Three new Councilors elected to Executive Council
In the recent PSU-AAUP Executive Council election, Rose Jackson (Library), Javier Ayala (University Studies), and Jonathan Uto (Admissions) were elected to the three open Councilor positions. The new Councilors take office today. Congratulations!

Also, thank you to Leslie Siebert (Applied Linguistics), David Percy (Geology), and Jose' Padin (Sociology) for their 2 years of service on the PSU-AAUP Executive Council. It has been a pleasure working with you. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

Observers needed for Tuesday, May 10 bargaining session
The next bargaining session is Tuesday, May 10, 12-2 p.m. in 323 Smith Center. The topic for discussion is fixed-term research and instructional faculty issues including compensation, evaluation, and promotion opportunities.

All members of the bargaining unit are encouraged to observe the session. Observers do not have to stay for the entire 2 hours. If you observe, you are not expected to participate in negotiations.

PSU-AAUP Annual Membership Meeting Tuesday, May 24
The Annual PSU-AAUP Membership meeting will be Tuesday, May 24, 4-6 p.m. at the K-House (633 SW Montgomery St.). Look for your invitation in campus mail this week.

The event will be catered by Madison's Grill. If you have attended the membership meeting in the past, you know that you can count on Steve Brown, Madison's proprietor, to provide a great selection of good things to eat and drink.

At the membership meeting, we will discuss the latest news about bargaining, grievances, and legislative issues. The annual Chapter Service Award will be presented. In addition, all bargaining unit members who have volunteered during the past year will be recognized for their service to PSU-AAUP.

AAUP releases faculty salary survey
AAUP has released the Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession, 2004-05.

Highlights of the report include:

Overall average salary increases for faculty at institutions using standard academic ranks was 2.8 percent higher this year than last. Unfortunately, the rate of inflation in the broader economy, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, was 3.3 higher.

For more information about the Report, please see http://www.aaup.org/surveys/05z/zrep.htm

PSU-AAUP reimburses members up to $35 for regalia reimbursement
One of the benefits PSU-AAUP membership is reimbursement for regalia rental. All you need to do is bring or send a copy of your receipt to the PSU-AAUP office at 232 SMSU. Please indicate the address where you would like your check mailed.

Regalia reimbursement requests will be honored until October 15, 2005.

Spring newsletter submissions sought
Calling all columnists, essayists, poets, reporters, fact finders and PSU-AAUP Members!

The deadline for the spring 2005 AAUP newsletter is May 20, 2005. PLEASE send your submissions to Susan Reese at sgreese@pdx.edu as soon as you feel so moved; we REALLY want this to be a newsletter that represents all AAUP members, that connects us with one another, that voices all of our concerns and joys; this can only truly be accomplished if as many members as possible contribute. As you know, we include creative work as well as pieces targeting specific issues relating to our daily life at PSU. Length of articles should be in the range of 500-750 words, and of course I'll consider longer and shorter submissions on an available space basis.

Thank you!
Susan Reese, Editor
English

If you have any questions about this update, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Julia Getchell

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April 19, 2005

Observers Need for Next Bargaining Session
PSU-AAUP and PSU will be discussing compensation systems and structures at the next negotiation session on Tuesday, April 26.

Bargaining Unit members are invited to observe beginning at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. It is not necessary to attend for the entire hour. If you are interested in attending, please contact me.

Vote for PSU-AAUP Leaders
The last day to vote in the PSU-AAUP Executive Council election is Wednesday, April 20. If you haven't voted, put your ballot in the campus mail right away or drop it off at the PSU-AAUP office at 232 SMSU. If no one is in the office, drop it through the mail slot in > the door. We will be accepting ballots until 5 p.m. on April 20

Regalia Reimbursement
One of the benefits of your PSU-AAUP membership is $35 reimbursement for commencement regalia rental.

To claim your benefit, please send a copy of your receipt to PSU-AAUP and indicate the address to which you want your check mailed.

This benefit is only for dues paying members, not fair share fee payers. If you are not a member or are unclear about your membership or fee-paying status, please contact me.

Julia Getchell
Chapter Coordinator
PSU-AAUP
503-725-4414
aaup@psuaaup.net

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April 8, 2005

Faculty Salary Bargaining April 12 & We Need You
On Tuesday, April 12 the PSU-AAUP Bargaining Team begins contract negotiations with PSU administration. The first session will be devoted to discussing the issues, problems, and solutions to the deplorable state of faculty salaries at PSU. The PSU-AAUP Contract Action Team has planned a rally to mark the start of negotiations and you are invited. Here's the plan:

We are asking all bargaining unit members to attend this event. Come out and show your support for the hardworking members of the PSU-AAUP Bargaining Team AND show PSU administration that we are committed to negotiating long-term solutions to boost faculty salaries.

Our goal is to fill the halls outside the negotiation room with faculty. Please attend this rally and bring a colleague with you. It will take less than 30 minutes and will be a wise investment of your time!

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Julia Getchell
Chapter Coordinator
PSU-AAUP
503-725-4414
aaup@psuaaup.net

Contract Campaign Kickoff
Thank you to all bargaining unit members who took the faculty bargaining survey. We had a 30% response rate--the best we've ever received!

So, what is the most important bargaining issue according to the survey? What is the most important salary issue? What is the greatest source of stress? Find out at the Contract Campaign Kickoff next Wednesday, March 9, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Smith Center Browsing Lounge (238 SMSU).

Members of the PSU-AAUP Bargaining Team will share the results to the bargaining survey and focus groups, discuss where we are heading in negotiations, and answer your bargaining questions.

Wine, cheese, and other good things to eat and drink will be provided. Don't miss the most important bargaining event this year. Bring a colleague!

Jobs with Justice will present information about the current state of our health care system. They will present current information about hospital, drug and insurance company costs as well as concrete solutions. Information will be provided about four bills before the Oregon Legislature that will address some of these problems.

All members of the campus community are invited to attend. This forum is sponsored by PSU-AAUP.

Does your department or program have a PSU-AAUP representative? We need more Unit Reps, especially in Education, Business, Social Work, Engineering and Computer Science.

Unit Reps are the primary communication channel between bargaining unit members and the PSU-AAUP elected leadership. If you are interested in being a Unit Rep, come to next meeting and check it out. Lunch is provided.

For more information about what being a Unit Rep is like, please contact me at 5-4414 or aaup@psuaaup.net.

Campus Labor Coalition
Wednesday, March 9
12-1 p.m.
Food For Thought in the Basement of Smith Center

Each month on the second Wednesday, members of the labor unions that represent PSU workers meet to discuss campus issues. Come and learn about cross-campus labor issues. All are welcome.

Legislative Letter Writing Party
The PSU-AAUP Legislative Committee invites you to a Legislative Letter Writing Party on Monday, February 28, 3-5 pm in 229 SMSU. Wine and cheese and other good things to eat and drink will be served.

This event coincides with hearings on the higher education budget by the legislative Way and Means Subcommittee on Education.

Please drop by to have a something to eat and drink and write a letter to your legislator about faculty salaries and working conditions.

We'll provide stationery, postage, talking points, and sample letters. You provide your nicest handwriting and anecdotes about faculty life at PSU.

Provost Candidate Forum
The PSU-AAUP Executive Council invites you to a forum on the Provost candidates on Wednesday, March 2, 9-10 am at the K-House. Continental breakfast will be served.

There will be a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses all candidates with an attempt to come to consensus on the candidate who can best meet the needs of the faculty and the campus community.

Legislative Letter Writing Party
Monday, February 28, 2005
3:00-5:00 p.m.
229 SMSU
Wine and cheese will be served.

Provost Candidate Forum
Wednesday, March 2, 2005
9:00-10:00 a.m.
K-House 633 S.W. Montgomery St.
Continental breakfast will be served.

Jobs with Justice Health Care Forum
Monday, March 2, 2005
12:00-1:00 p.m.
238 in SMSU

Higher Education Budget Hearing Testimony
Wednesday & Thursday, March 2 & 3
Monday & Tuesday, March 7 & 8
State Capitol in Salem

Contract Campaign Kick-Off
Wednesday, March 9, 2005
3:30-5:00 p.m.
238 in SMSU
Refreshments will be served.

Sincerely,
Julia Getchell
Chapter Coordinator
PSU-AAUP
503-725-4414
aaup@psuaaup.net

The PSU-AAUP Bargaining Survey is underway. Please provide your PSU-AAUP Bargaining Team--John Armbrust, Martha Hickey, Tom Luckett, Connie Ozawa, and Jonathan Uto--with the information they need to represent your interests in the next bargaining session scheduled to begin in March 2005.

So far we have received 140 responses. But your Bargaining Team wants to hear from everyone! Please complete the survey.

All answers are confidential. Any data collected or published will be analyzed in the aggregate. We plan to share the results at an open forum to be held on March 9, 3:30-5:00 pm in Smith Center.

Here is your chance to nominate union leaders who represent your interests in the day-to-day activities of PSU-AAUP. Members of the Executive Council are seeking nominees for the following positions:

The Vice President for Grievance and Academic Freedom will be released from all duties not directly related to teaching or scholarship in accordance with Article 11 of the Contract. Course release or its equivalent for non-instructional faculty members may be available.

Nominations received after February 15 must be accompanied by a nomination petition and ten signatures.

Fixed-Term Faculty Review Workshop
Thursday, February 24, 2005
1:30-3:30 p.m.
236 SMSU
Refreshments will be served.

Legislative Letter Writing Party
Monday, February 28, 2005
3:00-5:00 p.m.
229 SMSU
Wine and cheese will be served.

Provost Candidate Forum
Wednesday, March 2, 2005
9:00-10:00 a.m.
K-House 633 S.W. Montgomery St.
Continental breakfast will be served.

Jobs with Justice Health Care Forum
Monday, March 2, 2005
12:00-1:00 p.m.
TBA in SMSU

Higher Education Budget Hearing Testimony
Wednesday & Thursday, March 2 & 3
Monday & Tuesday, March 7 & 8
State Capitol in Salem

Contract Campaign Kick-Off
Wednesday, March 9, 2005
3:30-5:00 p.m.
TBA in SMSU
Refreshments will be served.

What is your view of the campus climate? What do you want to see in the next contract?

Please provide your PSU-AAUP Bargaining Team--John Armbrust, Martha Hickey, Tom Luckett, Connie Ozawa, and Jonathan Uto--with the information they need to represent your interests in the next bargaining session scheduled to begin in March 2005.

All answers are confidential. Any data collected or published will be analyzed in the aggregate. We plan to share the results at an open forum to be held in early March.

If you are unable to complete the survey on-line, a paper copy can be obtained from the PSU-AAUP office in 232 Smith Center. If you have questions or concerns about the survey call Julia Getchell, PSU-AAUP Chapter Coordinator, 725-4414 or Martha Hickey, Vice President for Collective Bargaining, at 725-5290.

Members of the PSU-AAUP Bargaining Team
Portland State University Chapter
503-725-4414 phone
503-725-8124 fax
aaup@psuaaup.net

Next week PSU-AAUP is hosting a forum about the candidates for Vice President of Finance and Administration position.

This open forum will provide bargaining unit members an opportunity to discuss their evaluation of the candidates and to develop a collective opinion about them. The goal is to forward an opinion about the candidates to the Vice President search committee.

The forum will be Tuesday, February 8, 9-10 am in the lounge of the K-House (633 SW Montgomery St.). Continental breakfast will be served.

I hope to see you there. This is a great opportunity for instructional, research, and academic professional faculty members to voice their opinions about the financial direction of PSU.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to me via email (aaup@psuaaup.net) > or phone (5-4414) so I can ensure there is enough breakfast.

There is much to tell you about this week: bargaining focus groups, volunteer opportunities, and Executive Council elections.

Bargaining Focus Group for Tenure-Line Faculty January 31
The tenure-track and tenured faculty member bargaining focus group will be Monday, January 31, 3:15-4:30 in 326 SMSU. The purpose of this focus group will be for tenure-line faculty to tell PSU-AAUP's Bargaining Team about their bargaining priorities.

So far only 8 tenured or tenure-track faculty members have agreed to participate. We want to hear from as many tenured and tenure-track faculty members as possible!

If you plan to attend, please contact Martha Hickey at 5-5290 or hickeym@pdx.edu or Julia Getchell at 5-4414 or aaup@psuaaup.net.

Successful Academic Professional and Fixed-Term Faculty Bargaining Focus Groups
This week the members of the PSU-AAUP Bargaining Team and Executive Council hosted two very successful focus groups for Academic Professionals and fixed-term research and instructional faculty.

Participants in both focus groups provided a great deal of information about their bargaining priorities. Thanks to all who made it possible, especially Louise Paradis (CARC), John Armbrust (LING/ESL), and Martha Hickey (FLL).

Executive Council Elections Coming Up Soon
If it is winter term it must be time to elect officers and councilors to the PSU-AAUP Executive Council. We are currently seeking nominees for the following positions:

Members of the PSU-AAUP Executive Council represent you in the day-to-day decisions of the bargaining unit. Please consider nominating yourself or a colleague for these important jobs.

If your or someone you know would like to run for one of these Executive Council positions, please contact Julia Getchell at aaup@psuaaup.net before 5 pm on Monday, February 14, 2005.

Grievance Committee Seeks Academic Professional Faculty Member
PSU-AAUP is seeking an Academic Professional (AP) faculty member to serve on the Grievance Committee. We currently have no APs on this committee despite increasing requests from APs for assistance and advocacy. We would like AP volunteers to help APs with issues and problems relating to workplace issues.

PSU-AAUP will provide all training and support. If you would like more information or are an AP interested in helping your colleagues, please contact Susan Lindsay, PSU-AAUP Vice President for Grievances and Academic Freedom, at 5-8257 or Julia Getchell at aaup@psuaaup.net or 5-4414.

Legislative Committee Seeks Faculty Members to Lobby in Salem
The PSU-AAUP Legislative Committee is seeking volunteers to lobby the Oregon Legislature in March about issues of concern to PSU faculty members.

The Education Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee has tentatively scheduled March 2 & 3 and March 7 & 8 for hearings on the higher education budget.

Members of the PSU-AAUP Legislative Committee and PSU-AAUP's lobbyists, Dave & Tom Barrows, plan to car pool to Salem to talk with state legislators and to give testimony during the budget hearings.

If you want more information about this project or are interested in participating in these lobbying efforts, please contact Chuck Johnson, chair of the PSU-AAUP Legislative Committee, at 5-8918 or johnsonc@pdx.edu or Julia Getchell at 5-4414 or aaup@psuaaup.net.

AAUP Bargaining Team
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a good break and smooth start to the winter quarter.

In this update you will find information about the AAUP bargaining team and ways you can participate in determining bargaining priorities.

The 2005 AAUP Bargaining Team Martha Hickey, Vice President for Collective Bargaining, has recruited volunteers for your 2005 AAUP Collective Bargaining Team. They are:

We need an Academic Professional to serve on the bargaining team. If you volunteer you can be released from some duties so that you can participate in bargaining. If you are interested in joining the Bargaining Team, please contact me.

How Members Will Determine the Bargaining Priorities
We want as much input from you about your bargaining priorities as we can get! In January and February, members of the Bargaining Team, the Executive Council, Unit Reps, and AAUP staff will be doing a number of things to get your insights about bargaining priorities. These include attending department "listening meetings", hosting focus groups, and disseminating a bargaining survey.

1. Department meetings
Currently AAUP Unit Reps are organizing meetings between AAUP-represented faculty members and members of the Bargaining Team, the Executive Council, Unit Reps, and AAUP staff. The purpose of these meetings is for AAUP leaders to listen to the bargaining concerns, ideas, and priorities of bargaining unit members.

Your Unit Rep will contact you with information about your department/program's meeting. If your unit does not have an AAUP representative and would like to hold a meeting, please contact me.

2. Focus Groups
During the last week in January, AAUP will be hosting focus groups to get more feedback about what we should be bargaining about this year. Please attend and encourage your colleagues to attend. We want to know what are your bargaining priorities!

Academic Professional Focus Group
Wednesday, January 26
12-1 pm
229 SMSU

Fixed-Term Research and Instructional Faculty Focus Group
Thursday, January 27
1-2 pm
229 SMSU

3. Bargaining survey
Members of the AAUP Bargaining Team are putting together a bargaining survey. Unlike previous years, this year we will be sending out a web-based survey. Plans are to disseminate this survey during the first week of February. Watch your email for more information about the survey.

4. Chapter Meeting
During the last week in February members of the AAUP Executive Council and the Bargaining Team will host a Chapter meeting.We will present information about bargaining unit member bargaining priorities as determined from the survey, focus groups, and department meetings. A discussion of bargaining strategy will follow. Watch your email for information about this important Chapter Meeting.

Sincerely,
Julia Getchell
Chapter Coordinator
PSU-AAUP
503-725-4414
aaup@psuaaup.net

Collective Bargaining Agreement Finalized
The Contract has been finalized and is available for your reading enjoyment. The Association and the University agreed to print a limited number of Contracts and primarily distribute it electronically. The University will send a printed copy to each department. The Association will send a printed copy to all Unit Representatives.

This Contract was signed on July 6, 2004. It is effective September 1, 2003 to August 31, 2005. The major changes are:

In addition, the University and the Association agreed to pay each bargaining unit member who was hired July 1, 2003 or earlier and who is employed through November 1, 2004 a one-time payment of $350, pro-rated for FTE. This payment will be made in your November 2004 paycheck.

If you have any questions about the current Contract please contact Martha Hickey, Vice President for Collective Bargaining at 5-5290 or hickeym@pdx.edu or Julia Getchell, Chapter Coordinator, at 5-4414 or aaup@psuaaup.net.

PSU-AAUP Begins Self-Study & You Are Invited to a Focus Group
In mid-November the PSU-AAUP will participate in a 2-day self-study project, with the goal of enhancing the effectiveness of our advocacy efforts. The national AAUP is sending staff to help us gather information about the perceptions and attitudes of our membership. This important project will also help us prepare for the upcoming round of contract negotiations in the spring.

As part of the self-study, we will conduct focus groups. We want the participation of a wide variety of the PSU faculty because PSU-AAUP represents a very diverse group of faculty members.

We hope to engage faculty from as many different units as possible, and we’re approaching you with an invitation to help us learn more about you and your colleagues.

We know that the timing may not be optimal for everyone that we’re hoping will participate, but we hope you can make it. We realize that your time is limited so we will begin an end on time.

If you are not able to participate, please let us know if one of your colleagues might be interested.

We’ll be serving coffee and snacks, so please let us know if you plan to attend by contacting us at aaup@psuaaup.net.

If you have any questions, please contact Gary Brodowicz, Past President, at 5-5119 or brodowiczg@pdx.edu; Martha Hickey, Vice President for Collective Bargaining, at 5-5290 or hickeym@pdx.edu; or Julia Getchell, Chapter Coordinator, at 5-4414 or aaup@psuaaup.net.