Office Phone: 814-227-2420 www.apscuf.org May 2017 Executive Committee: President – Ray Feroz; Vice President – Joyce Overly; Secretary – Karen Bolinger; Treasurer – Linda Lillard; Delegates –Ray Feroz, Karen Bolinger, Barry Sweet; Jonathan Touster, Uraina Pack Alternate Delegates – Nancy Clemente, Ellen Foster, Jennifer May, Karl Sprenger, Lorie Taylor; Coaches President - Al Modrzejewski ; Coaches Vice President – Sean Esterhuizen; Coaches’ Grievance Chair – Eric Laughlin; Venango Campus – Paul Klenowski; CAP – Joseph Croskey; DRC – Mary Buchanan; Grievance – Mark Kilwein; Health & Welfare – Marilyn Howe; Legislative – Jonathan Touster; Membership – Rhonda Clark; 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 – Dan Clark & Lorie Taylor; State APSCUF Executive Council – Joyce Overly; State Adjunct Committee – Michael Hissam The President’s Message… Dear Colleagues, We made it to the end of another semester and academic year! It has been an eventful year, both fall and spring. By the time we return for classes next fall we ought to know the results and recommendations of a system-wide assessment being done by the NCHEM consultant group contracted by the Chancellor’s office. The NCHEM team was here on April 20th and the various unions and faculty senate leaders had a chance to meet with them. We’ll see where this leads. The faculty remain committed to reversing the multi-year decline in enrollment and strengthening and growing Clarion University. Be assured of our strong pushback though if a future solution to the low student enrollment problem is to retrench more faculty. Laying off faculty and diminishing academic programs with a goal to increase university enrollment and revenue sounds absurd because it is absurd. Thanks to all of you for your comradery, solidarity and mutual support this past academic year. Challenges continue but one constant is that colleagues stand together to strengthen our assets and to combat foolishness. Enjoy your summer! In solidarity, Ray Our congratulations to Past Chapter President Beth McDaniel, recipient of the 2017 APSCUF Distinguish Service Award presented on April 28 at APSCUF’s April Legislative Assembly in State College. May 2017 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 1 Clarion APSCUF Fall 2017 Scholarships Awarded CONGRATULATIONS to the following APSCUF Scholarship winners who were awarded $500 each for the Fall 2017 semester. This year there were 45 outstanding applications submitted by currently enrolled students throughout Clarion and Venango campuses. The scholarship winners were recommended by the APSCUF Scholarship Committee (Chair Dr. Simon Aristeguieta, Dr. Deborah Ellermeyer and Dr. Todd Lavin) and were approved at the Executive Committee meeting on April 4, 2017. Front LR: Makenzie May, Olivia Kelt, Emily Dingfelder, Caleb Gilliland Back LR: Committee Chair Simon Aristeguieta, Alyssa Creighton, Madison Peterman, Chapter President Ray Feroz APSCUF - Makenzie May (Speech Pathology) Graduate - Madison Peterman (Speech Pathology) Senior - Emily Dingfelder (Speech Pathology) Junior - Caleb Gilliland (Sec. Ed, Social Studies & Political Science) Freshman/Sophomore - Olivia Kelt (Marketing) At Large - Alyssa Creighton (Nursing) HEALTH CARE OPEN ENROLLMENT REMINDER: Open Enrollment for PASSHE Health Plan for Active Employees is from NOW through Friday, May 5, 2017. If you would like to add/drop dependents, waive coverage, or enroll in the Highmark PPO plan you will be able to make those changes during the annual Health Care Open Enrollment period of April 24, 2017 to May 5, 2017. Any changes to your coverage should be submitted via the Employee Self Service (ESS) portal. Here is the link to ESS: https://portal.passhe.edu/irj/portal . If you choose to enroll in the Highmark PPO during the Health Care Open Enrollment period, you will not be able to re-enroll in the UPMC HMO plan at a future date. No new enrollments are allowed into the UPMC HMO plan after January 1, 2017. DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPATION in the Healthy U Wellness program is May 31, 2017. With your completion of the Healthy U requirements:  You will pay the lowest employee premium contribution for the plan year starting in July 2017.  You will be provided with tools, support, resources and programs to help you maintain and improve your health and well-being. DON’T WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE TO COMPLETE YOUR PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTHY U! May 2017 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 2 HAPPY RETIREMENT!! Best Wishes to our 2016-2017 Retirees  Dr. Karen Bolinger, Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics  Coach Mike Brown, Baseball  Dr. Debbie Ciesielka, Nursing  Dr. Colleen McAleer, Communication & Science Disorders  Dr. Richard Nicholls, Psychology  Dr. Dave Schlueter, Psychology  Ms. Shelly Silvis, Academic Enrichment  Mr. Elizabeth Stephenson, Nursing  Ms. Gayle Truitt-Bean, Student Affairs Faculty  Coach Mark VanDyke, Swimming & Diving  Ms. Angela West, Nursing ATTENTION NEW FACUTLY RETIREES: PA Faculty Health and Welfare Fund Benefits will end on the last day of the following month after your retirement date. Retirees have the option of signing up for COBRA for their Health and Welfare benefits for an 18-month period or paying for dental/vision benefits thru APSCURF, the retirement association. All Clarion APSCUF Retirees receive a oneyear membership paid by Clarion APSCUF to the Association of State College and University of Retired Faculties (APSCURF). As an APSCURF member, retirees are entitled to the special services they enjoyed as an APSCUF member plus the voluntary member-paid dental/vision benefit option plan. LR: Chapter President Ray Feroz, Mike Brown, Karen Bolinger, Dick Nicholls, Colleen McAleer, President Karen Whitney EMERITUS STATUS PROCEDURES Nominations for Emeritus Status should be initiated by member(s) of the appropriate department/unit and announced at a department/unit meeting, normally within one year following retirement. The nominated member(s) of the department/unit shall forward a one-page summary of the significant accomplishments made by the nominee to the Dean and appropriate Vice President. The Office of the Provost and Academic Vice President will be responsible for the implementation of this policy and its procedures. The above procedures for departments to follow to request emeritus status for retiring faculty in departments are taken from the Clarion University of Pennsylvania Policy on Emeritus Status. A copy of the entire policy is available from the APSCUF office. If you have faculty who are retiring at the end of the fall or spring semester in your department, please follow the procedures in this policy to request emeritus status for the nominee. SUMMER SCHOOL PAYMENTS FOR 2017 SUMMER SESSION I: May 26, 2017 SUMMER SESSION II: June 23, 2017 SUMMER SESSION III: August 4, 2017 New APSCUF Membership cards have been distributed. If you have not received yours, please contact Jan in the APSCUF office at 227-2420 or at jwalters@clarion.edu . May 2017 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 3 SPRING 2017 ELECTIONS RESULTS ANNOUNCED The Clarion APSCUF Nominations and Elections Committee is pleased to announce the results of the Spring 2017 General Election for APSCUF Positions and University-wide Contractual Committees. Thank you, all, for your interest in serving our union and our university community. And thanks to all who participated in the election, candidates and voters; your contributions are appreciated. YooJin Ha, N & E Chair N & E Committee: Renee Bloom, Ellen Foster, Amanda Lockwood & Jane Walsh APSCUF OFFICES Chapter President: (1 two-year term) Ray Feroz Nominations & Elections Committee: (2 two-year term) YooJin Ha Jesse Haight Vice President: (1 two-year term) Joyce Overly Secretary: (1 one-year term) Christopher McCarrick Venango Campus Representative: (1 one-year term) Renee Bloom Treasurer: (1 one-year term) Linda Lillard Coaches President: (1 two-year term) Sean Esterhuizen Delegate to Legislative Assembly: (2 two-year term) Annette Rosati Lorie Taylor Coaches Vice President: (1 two-year term) Al Modrzejewski Coaches Grievance Chair: (1 two-year term) Eric Laughlin Alternate Delegate to Legislative Assembly: (3 two-year term) Cristin Ketley Jacqueline Knaust Karl Sprenger CONTRACTUAL COMMITTEES Promotion Committee: (2 three-year term) Christopher McCarrick Rod Raehsler Tenure Committee: (2 three-year term) Jennifer May Adam Roberts Sabbatical Leave Committee: (3 three-year term) Vasudeva Rao Aravind Jennifer May Kathleen McIntyre CCPS: (2 three-year term; 1 two-year term) Linda Lillard David Lott (2 year term) Kathleen McIntyre CONGRATULATIONS to Joyce Overly who was recently re-elected to serve on the State APSCUF Executive Committee. And to Uraina Pack who was recently elected to serve on the State APSCUF Budget Committee. Clarion APSCUF will be well represented in the Harrisburg office! SUMMER HOURS and SUMMER CLOSINGS: Clarion APSCUF Office Summer Hours are from 8 am till 4:00 pm. The office is scheduled to be closed on the following days: Monday, May 15; Tuesday & Wednesday, May 23 & 24; Friday & Monday, May 26 & May 29; June 6 through June 26; Monday & Tuesday, July 3 & July 4. Have an enjoyable and safe summer! May 2017 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 4 ANNOUNCING THE RESULTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR ELECTIONS Congratulations to the following individuals! Accountancy Biology & Geosciences Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics Communication Communication Sciences & Disorders Computer Information Science Economics Education English & Modern Languages Finance Human Services/Rehab/Health/Sport Science Libraries Library Science Management & Marketing Nursing Psychology Special Education Student Support Faculty Visual & Performing Arts Anthony Grenci Steve Harris Adam Roberts Myrna Kuehn Janis Jarecki-Liu Jon O’Donnell Paul Woodburne John McCullough Kathleen O’Donnell Jeffrey Eicher Ray Feroz Mary Buchanan Linda Lillard Tony Johns t/b/d Randy Potter Rick Sabousky Wendy Snodgrass Casey Teske Dear Colleagues: What can you do? With all of the talk of closures, mergers, lack of funding, retrenchment, cutbacks, hiring freezes, and shrinking departments, one could not be blamed for feeling a bit like a spectator as the world around them spins out of control. But you need not feel like that; all it takes is for you to make the trip to Harrisburg. Please join me, colleagues from our 14 universities, and legislators for our 2017 APSCUF Legislative Reception 5–8 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at Capital Gastropub in Harrisburg. It is time for us to directly make the case to our legislators about the important work we do every day, and we have no better spokesperson than you. You can best tell the stories about what you do every day to improve the lives of your students. You can best talk about student success. And you can best relay how the last few years have pushed the limits of our universities. While we make the case for our faculty, our coaches, and our students in the halls of the Capitol on a nearly daily basis, we need you to make it personal. Last year, we hosted a bipartisan group of legislators from every region of the state, and our faculty had an opportunity to engage them in a relaxed setting over cocktails and appetizers. This atmosphere is particularly conducive to candid conversation, and it provides an opportunity for us to directly educate them about the realities of what has been happening at our universities, and to do so unfiltered by State System or university administrators. Want to do more? In addition to Tuesday night's event, our staff will be setting up meetings on Wednesday, June 7, for those individuals who wish to have an in-office meeting with their state legislator at the Capitol. Hotel accommodations will be provided for any member willing to participate in these meetings. Please give serious consideration to registering for either or both of these events by clicking here to download the registration form (which you may already have received), saving your information, and returning it to Ty Marks at tmarks@apscuf.org. It is time for us all to step forward to make a difference. I look forward to seeing you there! In solidarity and with thanks, Kenneth M. Mash, Ph.D APSCUF President May 2017 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 4 May 2017 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 5