Phone: (814) 227-2420 Clarion APSCUF Newsletter www.apscuf.org September 2023 Executive Committee: President – Joyce Overly; Vice President – Mark Kilwein; Secretary – Robin Bilan; Treasurer – Xiaofeng Li; Delegates –Joyce Overly, Jennifer May, Lorie Taylor, Jacqueline Knaust; Alternate Delegates – Ellen Foster, Cristin Ketley, Nripendra Singh, Barry Sweet, Rachel Newbury; Coaches President – Ray Monica; Coaches Vice President – Heath Calhoun; Coaches Alternate – Keith Ferraro; Coaches’ Grievance Chair – Eric Laughlin; Venango Campus Rep – Renee Bloom; CAP – Nripendra Singh; DRC – Mary Buchanan; Grievance – Mark Kilwein; Health & Welfare – Amy Shannonhouse; Legislative – Marcella McConnell; Membership – Tonya Otto; Negotiations – Joyce Overly; Nominations & Elections – Rachel Newbury; Social Justice – Ron Radaker; Public Affairs/Relations – Lacey Futon; Student Liaison – Marc Sanko; Rules & Bylaws – Jamie Phillips; Mobilization CoChairs – Jackie Knaust & Andy Lingwall; State Adjunct Faculty Committee – Natasha Dias *PennWest Clarion Faculty Meet & Discuss Team: Joyce Overly, Adam Roberts, Mark Kilwein, Jennifer May *Clarion Coaches Meet & Discus Team: Ray Monica, Heath Calhoun, Keith Ferraro, Eric Laughlin, Joyce Overly & Mark Kilwein The President’s Message… Dear Clarion faculty and coaches, As we begin our second year as PennWest, I have some developments to report. The first involves winter session. Last year, in the absence of a new winter session agreement for PennWest, faculty members were paid according to their legacy campus agreements. For Clarion, the payment was 70% of tuition collected, up to what you would receive if you taught the course as an overload. I’m happy to report that we have a signed agreement for winter session 2023-24. Under this new agreement, faculty at all three campuses will be paid according to their rank and step. The pay for undergraduate classes that have 13 to 22 students will be 80% of your regular semester pay for the class; for 23 or more students the pay will be 100% of your regular semester pay. The only undergraduate classes that are subject to cancellation are those with fewer than 13 students. Similarly, graduate classes will be paid at 80% for 10 to 19 students and 100% for 20 or more students. Graduate classes with fewer than 10 students may be subject to cancellation. I think this is a good agreement for Clarion faculty. The minimum salary, 80% of your regular semester pay, is larger than the previous maximum. We also have an agreement on resuming quinquennial evaluations. Under the terms of the side letter, there were/are no quinquennial evaluations in 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24. Faculty members who were scheduled to have their evaluations in those years will have their next quinquennial evaluation as normally scheduled, consistent with CBA Article 12G. For example, my next quinquennial would have been 2023-24, but that evaluation will be skipped, and my next quinquennial will be in 2028-29. In addition, department chairs who are scheduled for quinquennials in 2024-25 or 2025-26 will have the option to defer their evaluations until 2026-27. We are very close to having a new sabbatical agreement. I can’t share the details because the agreement is not yet final, but the important date to note is December 1. This will be the new due date for sabbatical applications. So, if you are thinking about applying for a sabbatical for 2025-26, keep that date in mind and watch your email for further information once the agreement has been signed by both sides. This semester, we have subcommittees of Meet and Discuss working on proposed agreements for promotion and tenure, with the goal of having those agreements in place well before the end of this academic year. September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 2 Regarding contract negotiations, both faculty and coaches’ negotiations are ongoing. So far, negotiations have focused on non-compensation issues, such as bereavement leave, distance education, retrenchment, required trainings, and voluntary transfers at consolidated universities. Typically, salary and benefits aren’t discussed until other issues have been settled. Finally, if you are considering a transfer to the California or Edinboro campus, you have until September 8 to put in your transfer request. Details are in the side letter: https://www.apscuf.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/02/SideLetter-VoluntaryCampusReassignmentFeb2023Final.pdf I hope the semester is off to a good start for everyone. As always, if you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to email me! In solidarity, FALL 2023 MEETINGS (Please mark your calendars!) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EC) @ 3:30 pm ➢ Tuesday, September 5 ➢ Tuesday, September 19 ➢ Tuesday, October 3 ➢ Tuesday, October 17 ➢ Tuesday, November 7 ➢ Tuesday, November 28 DEPARTMENTAL REP COUNCIL (DRC) @ 3:30 pm ➢ Tuesday September 12 ➢ Tuesday, October 10 ➢ Tuesday, November 14 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLIES (LA) ➢ September 14-16, 2023 (Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel) ➢ February 1-3, 2024 (Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel) ➢ April 18-20, 2024 (Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel) APSCUF LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE ➢ September 16 & 17 Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel September 2023 PennWest TEAM MEETING and MEET & DISCUSS *Team Meeting – Friday, September 1 @ 2:00-3:00 pm *Team Meeting – Friday, September 8 @ 2:00-3:00 pm *Team Meeting – Friday, September 15 @ 2:00-3:00 pm *Meet & Discuss - Friday, September 22 @ 2:00-4:00 pm *Team Meeting – Friday, September 29 @ 2:00-3:00 pm *Team Meeting – Friday, October 6 @ 2:00-3:00 pm *Team Meeting – Friday, October 13 @ 2:00-3:00 pm *Meet & Discuss - Friday, October 20 @ 2:00-4:00 pm *Team Meeting – Friday, October 27 @ 2:00-3:00 pm *Team Meeting – Friday, November 3 @ 2:00-3:00 pm *Team Meeting – Friday, November 10 @ 2:00-3:00 pm *Meet & Discuss - Friday, November 17 @ 2:00-4:00 pm *Team Meeting – Friday, December 1 @ 2:00-3:00 pm *Team Meeting – Friday, December 8 @ 2:00-3:00 pm *Meet & Discuss - Friday, December 15 @ 2:00-4:00 pm *Team Meeting – Friday, December 22 @ 2:00-3:00 pm MEMBERSHIP & BU MEETINGS ➢ Membership Meeting: Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 4:30 pm @ Michelle’s Café; State APSCUF President Ken Mash campus visit ➢ General Bargaining Unit Meeting: Tuesday, October 26 @ 3:30 pm in 250/252 Gemmell Student Center www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 2 APSCUF MEMBERSHIP – APSCUF Membership is open to ALL active faculty and coaches - Tenured, Tenure-Track, Full-time Temporary, and Part-time Temporary. If you are not yet a member, please join us in our efforts. APSCUF is the sole voice for protecting the rights of faculty and coaches, giving you the best working environment possible. Be a member — and be an active and contributing member. Sign up and get involved today! To request a membership application, please contact Mandy Onion in the APSCUF office at aonion@apscuf.org . APSCUF MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND CELEBRATION OF SOLIDARITY: All Clarion APSCUF members are invited to attend the Clarion APSCUF General Membership Meeting and Celebration of Solidarity which will be held on Tuesday, September 26th @ 4:30 pm at Michelle’s Café in downtown Clarion. State APSCUF President Ken Mash will be in Clarion and will be our guest speaker. You are invited to attend and meet Ken and hear him speak about current APSCUF issues along with updates on both faculty and coaches’ negotiations. Snacks and spirits will be served. Join the campaign to have our universities “RESPECT OUR COACHES” as they negotiate their contract. If you are interested in getting a button, please contact your APSCUF office manager. September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 3 Thinking about retirement? Have questions about your healthcare, dental and vision? Curious about APSCUF Rewards? Bim Arthun, State APSCUF’s Director of Membership Services, will be making a campus visit to Clarion University on Wednesday, October 18th. Like in the past, Bim is scheduling 30minute one-on-one appointments to meet with members and answer questions. The schedule runs from 9:00 am till 2:00 pm in the Rhea Conference Room. If you are interested in setting up a 30-minute one-on-one with Bim, please directly contact Mandy Onion at aonion@apscuf.org to schedule an appointment. Spouses are welcome too! If you are unavailable on October 18, feel free to directly contact Bim at barthun@apscuf.org to set up a virtual meeting. Amy Shannonhouse, Clarion APSCUF Health & Welfare Specialist WELCOME New & Returning APSCUF Members! ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ Loreen Huffman - Psychology & Counseling, Art Therapy Tyler Nunez - English, Philosophy & Modern Languages Melissa Opst - Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences -West Penn Tricina Strong-Beebe – Library & Information Sciences Joseph Lopez – Student Affairs – Assistant Athletic Director Coach Danielle Fleming – Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jason Rowlands-Edwards – Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jonathan Schimming – Assistant Men & Women’s Swimming APSCUF MEMBERS: ARE YOU REGISTERED FOR APSCUF.ORG “MEMBERS ONLY” SECTION?? To register for Members only: ➢ Log onto the APSCUF website at www.apscuf.org ➢ At the center of the home page find the ‘Members Only’ section ➢ Then click onto ‘REGISTER NOW’ ➢ Complete the username fields ➢ Read guidelines and chose ‘I accept’ ➢ Fill in form as described ➢ Hit ‘submit’ ➢ You will see an email that reads “Welcome to Members Only”. It will include your username and state that your account is currently inactive and will need to be approved by an administrator at State APSCUF before you can log in. Another email will be sent when this has occurred. Your password will be securely stored in APSCUF’s database and cannot be retrieved. In the event that it is forgotten, you will be able to reset it using the email address associated with your account. ➢ Second email will be sent to the State APSCUF administrator so that that person can activate the account. This may take a day or so. ➢ Once this occurs a second email will be sent to you saying that you can now log in. Once you enter the “Members Only” section, you can find information on Special Services for full-dues paying members such as discounts from Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile, rent-a-car discounts, APSCUF’s Rewards Program and lots more. So, sign up today!! http://www.apscuf.org/members/forms-and-benefits/special-services September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 4 HAVE YOU MOVED OVER THE SUMMER? If so, please be sure to inform Mandy in the APSCUF office of your new address. Reporting your new address to Human Resources DOES NOT guarantee that we have received this information. Faculty: You will also need to change this with your dental and vision provider, the PA Faculty Health & Welfare Fund. For a change form, please contact Mandy Onion in the APSCUF office today at aonion@apscuf.org PA FACULTY HEALTH & WELFARE FUND INFORMATION (faculty only) PA Faculty Health & Welfare Fund 60 Boulevard of the Allies, 5th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Phone: (844) 865-1137 Fax: (412) 224-4465 pafaculty@cdsadmin.com REMINDER: Please be sure to take your dental (United Concordia Dental) or vision (National Vision Administration) ID card with you when you go to your appointment. Your doctor’s office will need your ID number to process your paperwork with UCCI and NVA. ATTENTION PART-TIME TEMPS: YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PA FACULTY HEALTH & WELFARE FUND BENEFITS – faculty’s vision & dental provider Part-Time Faculty: As a part-time adjunct faculty member, you and your spouse may be eligible for the PA Faculty Health & Welfare Fund benefits which include dental and vision. Part-Time Faculty who work 25% to 49% of full-time are eligible for member only benefits. Part-Time Faculty who work 50% to 99% of full-time are eligible for member benefits and their lawful spouses are eligible for benefits. (*Please note eligibility) * Please note that the PA Faculty Health & Welfare Fund Trustees has recently approved that there will be no waiting period for eligible part-time adjunct faculty to receive Health and Welfare Fund benefits. This is just one of the many benefits our faculty members receive because of the diligence of APSCUF, the faculty union. For more details and information on eligibility, go to www.apscuf.org or contact our local Health and Welfare Fund Officer, Amy Shannonhouse. Know that this is NO COST to you for PASSHE pays your premium to The Fund. If you have not yet completed a PA Health & Welfare Fund enrollment card, please contact Mandy Onion in the APSCUF Office at aonion@apscuf.org . September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS NEW TENURE TRACK FACULTY Welcome new tenure track faculty for the Fall Semester 2023! Congratulations! ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ Joseph Lopez – Assistant Athletic Director Melanie Best – Nursing & Health Professions (conversion) Pamela Karg – Nursing & Health Professions (conversion) Emilie Kennedy – Nursing & Health Professions (conversion) TENURE GRANTED Congratulations to faculty who have been granted tenure effective Fall Semester 2023! ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ Jennifer Boyer – Criminal Justice, History and Politics Brandon Packard – Computing and Engineering Technology Marc Sanko – Criminal Justice, History and Politics Nripendra Singh – Business, Economics and Communication Christina Weidle – Nursing & Health Professions PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCED Congratulations to the following faculty who have been granted promotions! ASSOCIATE TO FULL PROFESSOR ❖ Carey Childers - Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics ❖ Doug Knepp - Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences ❖ Amanda Lockwood - Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics ASSISTANT TO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ❖ Carol Brennan-Caplan - Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences ❖ Jennifer Boyer - Criminal Justice, History and Politics ❖ Melissa Brydon – Communication Sciences and Disorders ❖ Meghan Ferraro - Education ❖ Eric Lewis - Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics ❖ Marcella McConnell - Education ❖ Beth Miller - Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics ❖ Rachel Newbury – Library Services ❖ Brandon Packard – Computing and Engineering Technology ❖ Laurie Pierce - Nursing & Health Professions ❖ Rich Patterson - Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences ❖ Marc Sanko - Criminal Justice, History & Politics September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 6 SABBATICAL LEAVES GRANTED Congratulations to faculty who were granted Sabbatical Leave during the 2024-2025 academic year. ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ Jon Beal – Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics Todd Lavin – English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages David Lott – Biology, Earth, and Environmental Sciences Naomi (Bell) O’Neil – Business, Economics, and Communications Kimberly Schwabenbauer – Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences Craig Scott - Biology, Earth, and Environmental Sciences Briana Steele – Student Services Lorie Taylor – Education Andrew Turner - Biology, Earth, and Environmental Sciences Anthony (Tony) Vega - Biology, Earth, and Environmental Sciences Best wishes to faculty who are on Sabbatical Leave during the 2023-2024 academic year. ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ Carey Childers - Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics Gary Greenberg – Visual and Performing Arts Rich Lane - English, Philosophy & Modern Languages Cahandice Matthews - Education Jennifer May - Social Work, Sociology & Human Services Adam Roberts - Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics Deb Sarbin - English, Philosophy & Modern Languages Barry Sweet - English, Philosophy & Modern Languages Mark Lepore (Spring 2024) - Psychology & Counseling, Art Therapy Melissa Downes (Spring 2024) - English, Philosophy & Modern Languages Renee Bloom (Fall 2024) - Nursing & Health Professions NOTE: The Sabbatical Leave Committee for the 2023-2024 AY will be determined once there is approval of the new PennWest University-wide Sabbatical Leave Policy and Procedures. September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 7 Fall 2023 Student Convocation Ice Cream Social Co-Sponsored by Clarion APSCUF September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 8 ANNOUNCEMENT FALL 2023 SPECIAL ELECTION RESULTS The Clarion APSCUF Nominations and Elections Committee is pleased to announce the results of the Fall 2023 Special Election for APSCUF Coaches President and Vice President offices. Thank you for your interest in serving our union and our university community. Thanks to all the candidates, and the voters who participated in the election. Your participation is greatly appreciated. Coaches President: Ray Monica - 2-year term Coaches Vice President: Heath Calhoun - 2-year term Congratulations and Best Wishes, Rachel Newbury, N&E Chair N & E Committee: Natasha Dias, Eric Lewis, Sheila Kazar, Laurie Bladen September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 9 CLARION APSCUF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES 2023-2024AY Office Office # Term Expires President/Assembly Delegate Vice President Secretary Treasurer Joyce Overly Mark Kilwein Robin Bilan Xiaofeng Li 385 STC 228 Harvey 122 Ralston 207 Carlson #2567 #2486 #1890 #2447 May, 2025 May, 2025 May, 2024 May, 2024 Assembly Delegates Joyce Overly Jennifer May Jacqueline Knaust Lorie Taylor 385 STC 115 Sped Ed 379 STC 109 Spec Ed #2567 #1779 #1733 #2480 May, 2026 May, 2024 May, 2024 May, 2025 Alternate Delegates Ellen Foster Barry Sweet Cristin Leahy Rachel Newbury Nripendra Singh 107B Davis 306 Founders 135 Spec Ed Carlson Lib 312 Still Hall #2158 #2205 #2325 #2746 #2603 May, 2024 May, 2024 May, 2025 May, 2025 May, 2025 Coaches President Coaches Vice President Coaches Alternate Coaches Grievance Chair Ray Monica Heath Calhoun Keith Ferraro Eric Laughlin Tippin Tippin 217 Tippin 100 Tippin #2715 #2472 #2455 #2081 May, 2025 May, 2025 May, 2025 May, 2025 Venango Campus Rep. Renee Bloom CAP Chair Nripendra Singh Dept. Rep. Chair Mary Buchanan Grievance Comm. Chair Mark Kilwein Health and Welfare Officer Amy Shannonhouse Legislative Officer Marcella McConnell Meet & Discuss Spokesperson Adam Roberts Membership Officer Tonya Otto Negotiations Officer Joyce Overly Nominations and Elections Chair Rachel Newbury Social Justice Chair Ron Radaker Public Affairs/Public Relations Lacey Fulton Rules & By-Laws Officer Jamie Phillips Student Liaison Officer Marc Sanko Mobilization Co-Chairs Jaqueline Knaust Andy Lingwall State Adjunct Fac. Committee Natasha Dias Venango 312 Still Hall 111 Carlson 228 Harvey 115 Stevens 165 STC 155 STC 109 Carlson 385 STC 311 Carlson 109 Becht 109 Becker 315 Founders 101 Founders 379 STC 132 Becker 251 STC #1277 #2603 #1811 #2486 #2106 #2250 #2327 #2329 #2567 #2746 #1877 #2265 #2391 #2375 #1733 #1882 #2559 May, 2024 Dec, 2024 Meet and Discuss Team (Clarion Reps) Joyce Overly – Chapter President Mark Kilwein -Grievance Chair/Chairperson/VP Jennifer May Adam Roberts- Spokesperson Nominations & Elections Committee (2-years) Sheila Kazar May, 2025 Eric Lewis May, 2025 Laurie Bladen May, 2024 Natasha Dias May, 2024 Rachel Newbury , Chair May, 2024 Coaches’ Meet and Discuss Team Ray Monica - Coaches’ President Heath Calhoun - Coaches’ Vice President Keith Ferraro – Coaches’ Alternate Joyce Overly – Chapter President Mark Kilwein - Chapter Vice President Eric Laughlin – Coaches’ Grievance Chair Faculty Grievance Committee Mark Kilwein - Chairperson Mary Buchanan Jonathan Touster Carey Childers UPDATED 09/05/2023 September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 10 PENNSYLVANIA WESTERN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY-WIDE CONTRACTUAL COMMITTEES 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR PENNWEST UNIVERSITY-WIDE PROMOTION COMMITTEE 2023-2024 AY Summer Arrigo-Nelson Michelle Early Torregano Robin Weaver Grafton Eliason Amy Shannonhouse Renae Shawgo Robin Bilan Paul Woodburne Douglas Puharic *Michell Kimmy (Alternate) Christine Rine Jim Wertz Mary Buchanan (Non-teaching) California California California California Clarion Clarion Clarion Clarion Edinboro Edinboro Edinboro Edinboro Clarion Campus Alternates: Brent Wilburn California Cristin Leahy Clarion *Jeremy Galante Edinboro (Sabbatical Leave 2023-24 AY) Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences Education Nursing and Health Professions Psychology & Counseling, Art Therapy Education English, Philosophy & Modern Languages Nursing and Health Professions Business, Economics & Communication Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics Education Social Work, Sociology & Human Services Business, Economics & Communication University Libraries 2026 2025 2024 2024 2026 2025 2024 2024 2026 2024 2024 2024 2025 Computing and Engineering Technology Education Visual & Performing Arts 2024 2024 2025 Updated: 08/17/2023 PENNWEST UNIVERSITY-WIDE TENURE COMMITTEE 2023-2024 AY Lindsay Hammond Louise Nicholson Scott Hargraves Rachel Newbury Amy Shannonhouse David Lott Nathan Fralick Mary Jo Melvin Dan Bennett California California California Clarion Clarion Clarion Edinboro Edinboro Edinboro Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences University Libraries Education Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences University Libraries Education Computing and Engineering Technology 2026 2025 2024 2026 2025 2024 2026 2025 2024 Updated: 08/17/2023 September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 11 PENNWEST UNIVERSITY-WIDE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 2023 – MAY 2024 AY College of Arts & Humanities Jamie Phillips English, Philosophy & Modern Languages College of Business, Communication & Information Systems Paul Hettler Business, Economics & Communication College of Education Mike Perrotti Education College of Health Sciences Robin Weaver Nursing and Health Professions College of Natural Sciences & Engineering Technology Jennifer Wilburn Computing and Engineering Technology College of Social Science & Human Services Emily Sweitzer Social Work, Sociology & Human Services Non-teaching Faculty Representatives Ryan Sittler University Libraries California Representatives (2) Kyle Fredrick Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences Jodi Dusi Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences Clarion Representatives (2) Douglas Knepp Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences David Lott Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences Edinboro Representatives (2) David Tucker Computing and Engineering Technology Douglas Puharic Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics May 31, 2024 May 31, 2024 May 31, 2024 May 31, 2025 May 31, 2025 May 31, 2025 May 31, 2025 May 31, 2024 May 31, 2025 May 31, 2024 May 31, 2025 May 31, 2024 May 31, 2025 UPDATED: August 18, 2023 September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 12 CONGRATULATIONS !!! Jan Walters, the Clarion APSCUF Office Manager has retired after faithfully serving in the position for 16 years. Her infectious smile and positivity will be missed throughout the university community. Congratulations Jan on a job well done. Have a blast on the next adventure! ” We’ll see you on the streets of Clarion!” September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 13 September 2023 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/ 14