Minutes from February 22, 2006 Open
Faculty Meeting
Present: Linda Bucher (presiding), Roger Bowen
(General Secretary, National AAUP, guest), Jane Buck (President,
National AAUP, guest) Kevin Kerrane (Secretary), Pat Barber
(Member-at-Large), Benjamin Bruening (Linguistics), Jeremy Firestone
(Marine Studies), Avron Abraham (President, Faculty Senate), Gerry
Turkel (Immediate Past President), Russell Murray (Music).
- Introduction of Executive Council members: L. Bucher
introduced members of the Executive Council and Jane Buck.
- Introduction of guest: Roger Bowen: L. Bucher introduced R.
Bowen and thanked him for attending this meeting. Roger gave a brief
overview of his activities and observations of important issues
confronting other universities.
- National AAUP Endowment Fund: R. Bowen described purpose
and importance of the endowment fund. Currently, there is ~ 1 million
dollars in pledges and ~ $400,000 has been received. One contributor
has indicated that he would match every pledge of $25,000 with an equal
pledge of $25,000. G. Turkel presented R. Bowen with UD AAUP’s
pledge of $20,000 (to be paid over 4 years).
Report on the membership and vacancies on the Steering Committee: L.
Bucher indicated that ~ 50% of the faculty are AAUP members. There are
numerous vacancies on the Steering Committee in part due to the
increase in representation that was a result of a recent bylaws change.
Membership lists distributed and faculty were asked for ideas re:
solicitation of nominations. B. Bruening suggested mailing a letter to
each member asking them to consider serving on this committee.
- Report on the Committee on Retiree Medical Benefits: L.
Bucher reported that committee has met once. There is concern that
future retiree medical benefits (for faculty retiring in ~30 years)
could be reduced or eliminated. There is not expected to be any change
in retiree health benefits for current faculty or retirees. Discussed
importance of bargaining for retiree health benefits in future
contracts. R. Bowen indicated that these discussions are happening
across the nation at all universities.
- Open Discussion: B. Bruening asked what the role of
Department Representatives was in the AAUP. L. Bucher explained that
Dep. Reps. Serve as a liaison between the faculty and the Steering
Committee bringing issues of concern to the Steering Committee. In
addition, Dep. Reps. Serve as advocates for the union, encouraging
faculty to join. Dep. Reps. are selected by the faculty (usually at a
department meeting). Term of service is defined as the period defined
by the current contract (i.e. through 12/31/08 ).
Meeting ended at 4:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Bucher
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