Phone: (814) 227-2420 www.apscuf.org October 2018 Executive Committee: President – Ray Feroz; Vice President – Joyce Overly; Secretary – Christopher McCarrick; Treasurer – Linda Lillard; Delegates – Ray Feroz, Jennifer May, Annette Rosati, Barry Sweet, Lorie Taylor; Alternate Delegates – Ellen Foster, Cristin Ketley, Jacqueline Knaust, Karl Sprenger, Jonathan Touster; Coaches President - Sean Esterhuizen; Coaches Vice President – Al Modrzejewski; Coaches’ Grievance Chair – Eric Laughlin; Venango Campus Rep – Renee Bloom; CAP – Joseph Croskey; DRC – Mary Buchanan; Grievance – Mark Kilwein; Health & Welfare – Amy Shannonhouse; Legislative – Jonathan Touster; Membership – Paul Klenowski; Negotiations – Ray Feroz; Nominations & Elections – YooJin Ha; Social Justice – Amy Conner-Love; Public Affairs/Relations – Christopher McCarrick; Student Liaison – Naomi Bell O’Neil; Rules & Bylaws – Carey Childers; Mobilization Co-Chairs – Jackie Knaust & Andy Lingwall; State Temporary Faculty Committee – Michael Hissam; State APSCUF Executive Council – Joyce Overly; Meet & Discuss Team: Ray Feroz; Barry Sweet; Joyce Overly; Adam Roberts; Mark Kilwein; Jennifer May; Mary Buchanan The President’s Message… Dear Colleagues, I hope your ALF Week went well. We now enter week 7 of the semester and as Judy Collins said, “Who knows where the time goes?” As you are aware, recently we have lost a dear colleague in Mel Michel. Mel served on the APSCUF Departmental Representative Council and the Faculty Professional Development Committee. Her energy and dynamic personality will not be forgotten. At the General Membership Meeting held on September 25th Jeanne Slattery, Herb Luthin, and Amy Shannonhouse provided personal remembrances. I have included in this Newsletter Rod Raehsler’s remarks (he was out of town and submitted a written piece) with permission. I have often said that the best part of working at Clarion is our colleagues. This was evidenced by how we came together with the loss of Mel and the heartfelt words of Rod, Jeanne, Herb and Amy, as well as the memorial gathering at Hart Chapel on September 28th. Thanks to everyone involved. Special thanks to Marilyn Howe for chairing our Health & Welfare Committee since 2014. Marilyn has decided to step down and Amy Shannonhouse will now serve in that role. Thanks to Marilyn for her conscientious service and welcome to Amy! New SSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein will be at Clarion on Tuesday October 16th. We were fortunate at the recent Legislative Assembly meeting in Harrisburg to hear Dan’s remarks and answers to questions. Chancellor Dan is not like any other Chancellor we have known. I highly encourage you to hear him speak on October 16th at 1:30 pm in the Suites on Main North Theatre. The most common description used by legislative delegates to describe their experience with Dan’s presentation was that they “were blown away.” APSCUF State President Ken Mash attended our General Membership Meeting on September 25th. He provided general remarks pertaining to a variety of topics. The new contract negotiations are underway. A brief survey will soon be sent to all members to provide input as to priority issues beyond pay and benefits. Kathryn Morton, APSCUF Communications Director, presented on October 2nd a seminar at the APSCUF conference Rhea conference room on the use of social media. It was well received. Let’s close with some GOOD NEWS! (Continued on Page 2) October, 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 1 1. Head Softball Coach Cheryl Peterson and Head Baseball Coach Anthony Williams’ received full-time contracts effective October 1st. Heretofore those positions were always part-time. Sean Esterhuizen, Clarion APSCUF Coach’s President, made a very compelling written case for making these coaches full-time, as their jobs/hours were truly full-time. Sara Miller from state APSCUF provided guidance along the way. Wendy Snodgrass, the CU Athletic Director, lent her support to the cause, as did Susanne Fenske and Len Cullo. Thanks to everyone for making this happen for our truly deserving coaches. 2. We have just received word that, like the first promotion grievance, the second promotion grievance was settled favorably for all faculty involved. Two colleagues, Uraina Pack and Doug Knepp were promoted in subsequent years, but will still receive back pay from the original grievance submission date. Three other colleagues were promoted retroactively. Congratulations to Cahndice Matthews, Paul Woodbourne, and Mary Terwilliger! Special thanks to Sara Miller at state APSCUF and to our local Grievance Chair, Mark Kilwein, for their persistence and focus. Thanks to the AY 2014-15 promotion committee for reuniting to review and revisit promotion binders. This involved co-chairs Jim Lyle & John Heard, and members Janice Kruger, Young-Gyoung Kim, Jocelynn Smrekar, Rod Raehsler, and Lana Smith for revisiting their review of the promotion binders. Finally, thanks to Pam Gent, acting for President Pehrsson, for her decision to promote these very worthy colleagues. If anyone should wonder whether a faculty union like APSCUF makes a difference, just re-read the good news above! In solidarity, Ray FALL 2018 MEETINGS (Please mark your calendars!) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EC) (Rhea Conf. Room @ 3:30 pm) Tuesday, October 16 Tuesday, October 30 Tuesday, November 27 Tuesday, December 11 Fall 2018 MEET & DISCUSS @ 2:30 pm Friday, October 19 (Meet & Discuss) Friday, November 2 (Pre-Meet) Friday, November 9 (Meet & Discuss) Friday, November 30 (Pre-Meet) Friday, December 7 (Meet & Discuss) DEPARTMENTAL REP COUNCIL (Rhea Conf. Room @ 3:30 PM) Tuesday, November 13 Tuesday, December 4 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLIES February 7-9, 2019 (Wyndham, Gettysburg) April 25-27, 2019 (Williamsport) May 17, 2019 – Leadership Day (Slippery Rock CAMPUS VISITS FROM APSCUF STAFFERS: The following State APSCUF staff will be making campus visits to Clarion University. If you are interested in meeting any of these APSCUF staffers, please mark it on your meeting calendar accordingly.  Sara Miller, State APSCUF’s Labor Relations Department - Thursday, October 18, 2018, from noon – 2:00 pm in the Rhea Conference Room. If you wish to have a 10-15 minute one-on-one with Sara, please let me know. I can arrange a time for you while she is here for those two hours. Otherwise, please feel free to stop by the Rhea Conference Room in the Rhea Building between Noon till 2:00 pm to meet Sara. She will be available to answer any general contract questions.  Nancy Koutris, Director of Membership Services - Wednesday, November 7, 2018. From 4:00 till 5:00 pm in the Rhea Conference Room, Nancy will then have a Healthcare Presentation with an emphasis on retirementrelated issues, PA Faculty Health & Welfare Fund updates and a Question & Answer Session. The Clarion APSCUF office will be closed on the following days: Friday, October 19 thru Friday, October 26. Jan will be on vacation! October, 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 2 PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCED CONGRATULATIONS!! to the following that received Promotions from a recent arbitration settlement: Uraina Pack (English & Modern Languages) Doug Knepp (HSRH&SP) Cahndice Matthews (Education) Paul Woodbourne (Economics) Mary Terwilliger (Nursing) Clarion APSCUF Sick Leave Bank Policy Any faculty or coach member may request days from the Sick Leave Bank using the “ASPCUF Sick Leave Bank application form”. Such days will be awarded with appropriate medical documentation showing the needs for days. All faculty or coaches must use all of their own accumulated leave before days are provided from the Bank. There will be a limit to each single request according to the following: If the request for days to be provided by the Sick Leave Bank occurs in the fall semester, the maximum number of days given from the Bank will be limited to 12 weeks of leave in that academic year, including fall and spring semester. If the request for days to be provided by the Sick Leave Bank occurs in the spring semester, the maximum number of days given from the Bank will be limited to 12 weeks of leave in that calendar year. Adopted by Clarion APSCUF, November 14, 2006 ATTENTION PART-TIME TEMPS: ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR PA FACULTY HEALTH & WELFARE FUND BENEFITS - vision & dental coverage?? Part-Time Faculty: In order to qualify for benefit reimbursement, you must have worked at least 25% of full-time in any one (1) of the preceding three (3) semesters. The benefit package shall be provided after the initial waiting period of one (1) semester served, and thereafter, so long as benefit claims are incurred while part-time Faculty is employed. Part-Time Faculty who works 25% to 49% of full-time is eligible for member only benefits. Part-Time Faculty who works 50% to 99% of full-time is eligible for member benefits and their lawful spouses or same-sex domestic partner is eligible for benefits. For more details and information on eligibility, go to www.pafac.com or contact our Health and Welfare Fund Officer, Amy Shannonhouse. Note that this is NO COST to you for PASSHE pays your premium to The Fund. If you do qualify and have not yet completed a Health & Welfare Fund enrollment card, please contact Jan Walters in the APSCUF Office at jwalters@clarion.edu . DON’T FORGET TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6th. October 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 3 WELCOME New & Returning APSCUF Members!!  Jacob Detelich – Communication  Randilyn Lewis - Nursing  Drew Williams – Visual & Performing Arts APSCUF MEMBERSHIP AT CLARION APSCUF Membership is open to ALL active faculty and coaches: tenured, tenure track, full-time temporary and part-time temporary. We ALL benefit from the work environment created by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and by APSCUF. In late August, you should have received a recommitment letter and application from OUR faculty and coaches union, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties. If you are already a member, your status hasn’t changed, but our goal is for all members — existing and new — to complete and mail back the postage-paid cards as a show of solidarity. If you’ve already returned your card, thank you! If you accidentally disposed of the mailing (to your home address), please contact Jan Walters in our local chapter APSCUF office to obtain a new card as soon as you’re able. Thank you! Are you registered for the MEMBERS ONLY site? To get yourself registered, go to www.apscuf.org. Here is the direct link to the registration page: http://www.apscuf.org/membersonly/membership-registration/ . There you will find all the information on APSCUF’s Special Services such as discounts on magazines, rental vehicles, amusement parks, Verizon Wireless, etc. etc. GO GOLDEN EAGLES!! Again this year Clarion APSCUF is proud to be a sponsor in the Golden Eagle Athletic Partnership, a corporate sponsorship supporting Clarion University athletic teams. As part of the package, 6 sets of tickets for Clarion University home football games were donated to the kids of The Arc of Clarion County. The Arc provides a variety of services and programs designed to support people who experience disabilities and their families. ARE YOU TRYING TO FIND ALL THE PROMOTION, TENURE, SABBATICAL AND/OR EVALUATIONS INFORMATION AND MATERIALS? Go to the Clarion APSCUF webpage at www.apscuf.org/universties/clarion and click onto “Documentation Center”. Please note that all materials are updated on the web when received from each university-wide committee chair. Visit our local webpage at www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion October 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 4 This page is dedicated to our beloved union sister, Marilouise “Mel” Michel, who suddenly passed away from a brain aneurysm on September 24, 2018. May she rest in peace. A donation is being made to the Marilouise Michel Theater Scholarship Fund c/o the Clarion University Foundation, Inc. in her memory from the faculty and coaches of Clarion APSCUF. IN MEMORY OF MARILOUISE “MEL” MICHEL (THEATER) October 15, 1961 - September 24, 2018 Written by Rod Raehsler (Economics) It is not an easy task to put down in words how Mel Michel touched my life and so many people around her. Her passing has come so unexpectedly among all of us that I’m sure the true extent of her absence won’t fully be realized for some time to come. My wife and I became friends over time with Mel; primarily as a result of our children going to school and growing up together. We would always see each other and have a chance to visit at school concerts, plays, sporting events, and academic events. We always discussed how our children were doing and Mel was clear about how proud she was of Emily and Marshall but just as willing to listen to how our son was doing. Mel is one of the kindest individuals I have ever encountered in every way imaginable. The university community, I know, is well aware that she gave part of her liver for a virtual stranger (Tammy Pawluk) who would have not survived without her assistance. While that incredible act of genuine kindness is certainly unique, it is not surprising if you got to know Mel. Simply put, she would always be the first to help anyone in need whether that need was great or small. Yesterday, in the ultimate act of giving, Mel’s daughter Emily signed the papers for her mother to donate the remaining part of her liver and both of her kidneys. While we are all certainly grieving the loss of a dear friend and colleague, three other families received greatly anticipated news that an organ had been found for one of their loved ones. Mel would have been so pleased at the chance to help three more people as she had helped Tammy Pawlak before. Mel lived a large life and insisted that those around her do the same. She made you feel that you were capable of reaching for your dreams and achieving them. She encouraged, taught, demonstrated and believed that we could all be better. We could do more for those around us. We were blessed to have her in our presence for so many years at Clarion University. She was truly one of a kind and her absence will leave a very large hole in the lives of her friends, family and colleagues at Clarion University. October 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 5 OUR UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ACTION! BE AN ACTIVE AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBER! GET INVOLVED TODAY!! October 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 6 Be confident with an open mind, APSCUF intern advises after summer in Harrisburg Aug 10, 2018 | News Deciding whether or not to apply for an internship can be a difficult decision. During the application process, one has many factors to consider: What will I learn, will the experience be worth it, is the internship paid or unpaid, and how much will it cost to live where I’ll be working? In this post, I’ll try to answer some of the frequently asked questions prospective interns have, while also giving a brief overview of my experience at APSCUF in Harrisburg this summer. APSCUF intern John Danvers, center, with Clarion University’s ASPCUF Chapter President Ray Feroz, left, and Clarion Professor Kevan Yenerall at APSCUF’s legislative reception in June. Danvers is an economics and political-science major at Clarion. The acknowledgements Before I begin, however, I want to recognize those who made this experience possible. Dr. Kevan Yenerall, my internship adviser, has played an indispensable role in my development and growth as I study Pennsylvania politics. His commitment to students is unparalleled, and I am grateful to have him as my professor and adviser at Clarion University. Here in Harrisburg, I’d also like to express my gratitude to a few individuals. Kathryn Morton and Sean Crampsie, my internship supervisors, are incredibly talented professionals and have served as tremendous mentors during my time with APSCUF. Kathryn is the consummate communications director, and Sean knows our state legislature inside and out. Finally, I’d like to thank Dr. Mash and the APSCUF staff for their kindness and willingness to help me whenever I had a question or need. The details Here’s what you need to know about the internship. First, if financing a summer in our state’s capital is a concern, don’t let this stop you from applying. APSCUF provided an apartment while also paying $11 an hour to work 35 hours each week. My only notable expenses were for groceries and parking. Over the course of my 10 weeks in Harrisburg, I shadowed lobbyists, interviewed legislative assistants, and met state representatives and senators. Also, I gained valuable public-relations skills, such as learning how to write a column for a newsletter and interviewing an APSCUF member. A normal day for me would entail waking up around 6 a.m., going for a run (I’m training for a marathon.), then heading to work around 7:45 (I parked about a mile away from the office.). The work day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with an hour for lunch. After work ended, I’d usually go to the gym for an hour, come home and eat dinner, then go to bed and recharge for the following day. It sounds boring at first, but it’s a process I came to love and embrace. My advice to anyone interested in this program is to have confidence in yourself but go into every situation with an open mind. Be ready to learn. Ask questions. That’s what this entire thing is about. Also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Harrisburg is a microcosm of any major political environment — and in a way is one in and of itself. Talk to people, get their cards, and follow up. Lastly, have fun. South central Pennsylvania is in proximity to the major metropolitan areas of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and New York City. I even went up for a weekend to visit some family in Connecticut. Take advantage of this great opportunity to do some exploring and make your friends jealous while they sit by the pool all summer. Good luck! —John Danvers, APSCUF intern October 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 7 October 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 8 October 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 9 October 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 10