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CLARION APSCUF NEWSLETTER
October 2023

The President’s Message
Dear Clarion faculty and coaches,
Contract negotiations for both faculty and coaches are ongoing. Specifically,
the negotiations team has been at the table for the past four days straight, but
the sides remain far apart. Having been through this process multiple times
now, I can say that it’s typical that little information is released, so you
shouldn’t be alarmed at the lack of details.
It is distressing, however, to read the recent spate of negative media articles
about PennWest. It’s an undeniable fact that our enrollment numbers are
dismal. Yet, when I walk around campus, I see more students out and about
than I have in a long time. I also personally feel more optimistic about the
future of PennWest and Clarion than I have since the consolidation was initially
proposed. (I finally even bought a PennWest t-shirt!) This year’s drop in
enrollment was expected and our university budget was built around the
projected decline. Even so, our enrollment actually came in above the
projections.

Inside This Issue
President’s Message

Another bright spot is increased state investment in PASSHE. The state
allocation to PASSHE this year is $585 million, a 6% ($33 million) increase
from last year. The size of the increase is due in large part to lobbying efforts
by APSCUF and our union brothers and sisters in AFSCME, as Governor
Shapiro’s initial budget proposal called for a measly 2% increase.

Chapter News

2-3

Solidarity Corner

4-5

Membership

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Information

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Finally, there is an important judicial election coming up in three weeks. The
judges that are elected may well be called upon to decide issues related to
unions and collective bargaining. You can visit https://www.apscuf.org/issuesand-advocacy/candidate-endorsements-2023/ (login required) to read about
the candidates that have been endorsed by CAP, APSCUF’s political action
committee.
As I write this hopeful president’s message on a cloudy Monday, it seems
fitting that the sun just broke through the clouds, however briefly.
There are brighter days ahead for PennWest.

In solidarity,

Joyce Overly, PhD
President, Clarion APSCUF

APSCUF is the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties. We
uphold the highest standards of teaching, coaching, scholarly inquiry, service, and fair
and equitable competition. We are an organization that is committed to promoting
excellence in all that we do to ensure that our students receive the highest quality
education.

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6-7-8

Service

The budget includes another $65 million in debt relief for PennWest. The
release of that money is still tied up in fiscal code negotiations between the
state House and Senate but it should be coming at some point. That will help
ease our fiscal constraints, and allow PW to shift from survival mode to
reinvestment in our university.

https://www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/

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CLARION CHAPTER NEWS
Congratulations!
Tenure Awarded to Kimberly Schwabenbauer
Dept. of Exercise, Health, & Sport Sciences

Welcome to Clarion APSCUF
In many ways, Mandy Onion returned home when she began her work
as Clarion APSCUF’s new office manager. Mandy’s unique combination
of Clarion roots, faculty experience, and administrative know-how make
for a smooth transition for our Clarion APSCUF office, and we are so
very glad to welcome her.
A Clarion alum (’06 BSEd Early Childhood and Elementary Education;
’08 MEd Science Education) and IUP alum (’14, EdD), Mandy has also
served as faculty at Clarion (2009-2012) and Western Kentucky
University. She knows Venango campus as well as the Clarion campus,
and she surely knows the Clarion River and the backroads and towns of
our area, as a native of Rockland, Venango County, with a camp at Redbank Valley Park and a
home on a local beef farm.
Mandy brings with her the kind of knowledge and skills that will greatly benefit our faculty and
coaches, our local APSCUF leadership, and our community. She knows, from the inside, the
challenges that faculty and coaches face, the importance of our union, and the million pieces of
paperwork that keep us going. Her broad network of connections across the university and
the community are complemented by her administrative experience. As the director of the Boys
and Girls Club of Glasgow, Kentucky, and administrative assistant to the Emergency Services
Director at Penn Highlands Healthcare, Mandy understands the ins and outs of organizing an
office and keeping all those moving parts clicking along smoothly.
When Mandy saw the Clarion APSCUF office manager position in her Facebook feed, she knew
it was the right opportunity at the right time. As Mandy says, the job “was the perfect
opportunity to come home to Clarion. I am thrilled to be back serving the faculty of this university. The faculty who taught me, the knowledge and skills I gained here, and the opportunities
provided to me from my experiences here, are a major part of the person I have become. I am
a proud Clarion alumna and look forward to new adventures as part of the APSCUF team
serving Clarion.”
As we head into midterms and the homestretch of the Fall 2023 semester, please take a few
minutes to welcome Mandy back to campus and let her know that you’re looking forward to
saying hello at our end-of-semester Clarion APSCUF gathering.

https://www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/

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CLARION CHAPTER NEWS

The Fall 2023 Membership Gathering was held Tuesday,
September 26th at Michelle’s Café in beautiful downtown
Clarion. State APSCUF President, Ken Mash was the
guest speaker. Rachel Newbury was the lucky winner of
the lovely gift basket!
Good food and lively conversation was had by all!

https://www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/

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SOLIDARITY CORNER

Respect our Coaches
We are asking everyone who is willing, to don a
“RESPECT OUR COACHES” button. If you are willing, show up
wearing the button to a game or meet. Maybe even bring a sign
saying the same thing. Our goal is to spark discussion about the
need for coaches to be respected as they negotiate their next
collective bargaining agreement. Our solidarity is necessary for
coaches to get the respect they deserve.
If you are interested in getting a button and participating in this
campaign, contact your chapter office, for information about buttons
and solidarity activities surrounding them.
If you have questions, contact qualityeducation@apscuf.org.
Click here to download graphics for social media, Zoom, mobile
devices, and more. We'd love to see how you chose to wear or
display your coach button and signage. Post a photo and tag
#RespectOurCoaches.

https://www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/

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SOLIDARITY CORNER

CAP: The Political Voice of APSCUF
APSCUF’s Committee for Action through Politics (APSCUF/CAP) is the political voice for APSCUF faculty and coaches. Since its inception in 1981, CAP has
assisted faculty and coaches in making informed political decisions. CAP is a
nonpartisan organization that supports candidates who will advocate for APCUF’s
goals and priorities.
Why you should donate to CAP? When you contribute to APSCUF/CAP, you
become involved in the political process. Your CAP donations support candidates
for state office who will advocate for public higher education and have strong
records on labor, education and budget issues.
Payroll Deduction is the most convenient and effective way to contribute to CAP.
This reoccurring payment will help to further CAP’s efforts throughout the year.

APSCUF/CAP members have the opportunity to attend fundraising events,
build relationships with policymakers, make important endorsement decisions,
assist candidates who support APSCUF goals, and participate in golf outings to
support candidates.
To find out more about APSCUF/CAP, download the CAP brochure available
online here. Visit APSCUF’s member’s forum (login required) to view APSCUF/
CAP’s recommendations for elections or contact APSCUF’s director of
government relations at 717-236-7486, ext. 3014.
Complete the online form or contact Mandy Onion at Clarion APSCUF office for a
form.

https://www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/

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Membership

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. Every new member strengthens
APSCUF’s solidarity during negotiations. Our team works hard to maintain the salary, benefits, and
working conditions of all faculty and coaches in the state-owned universities. Members pay union
dues equal to 1.15% of their salary; then this amount is divided by the number of pays. To request
a membership application, please contact Mandy Onion in the APSCUF office at
aonion@apscuf.org

APSCUF MEMBERS: ARE YOU REGISTERED FOR APSCUF.ORG
MEMBERS-ONLY AREAS?
To register for access to secure pages of the APSCUF website:
Ø Log onto the APSCUF website at www.apscuf.org
Ø At the center of the home page find the ‘Members Only’ section
Ø Then click onto ‘REGISTER NOW’
Ø Complete the username fields
Ø Read guidelines and chose ‘I accept’
Ø Fill in form as described
Ø Hit ‘submit’
Ø 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.
Ø Second email will be sent to the State APSCUF administrator so that person can activate the
account. This may take a day or so.
Ø Once this occurs a second email will be sent to you saying that you can now log in.
http://www.apscuf.org/members/forms-and-benefits/special-services

The members-only benefits page lists codes, special links and other services available only to
APSCUF members. You'll find important APSCUF announcements at the top of the page.
Once you enter the “Members Only” areas, you can find information on Special Services for
full-dues paying members (see the next page!)

https://www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/

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Membership

https://www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/

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Membership
Thinking about retirement? Have questions about your healthcare, dental and
vision? Curious about APSCUF Rewards? Bim Arthun, State APSCUF’s Director of
Membership Services is your go to person! She can be reached at (717) 236-7486,
Ext.3021 or email her at barthun@apscuf.org

PA FACULTY HEALTH & WELFARE FUND

(Faculty Only)
60 Boulevard of the Allies, 5th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (844) 865-1137
pafaculty@cdsadmin.com

Attention Part-Time Temps: You ARE eligible for
the dental and vision benefits through the
PA Faculty Health & Welfare Fund.
As a part-time adjunct faculty member, you and
your spouse may be eligible for the PA Faculty
Health & Welfare Fund benefits. 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 and their lawful spouses
are eligible for benefits.
The PA Faculty Health & Welfare Fund Trustees
have approved that there will be no waiting period
for eligible part-time adjunct faculty to receive
fund benefits.
**Please note eligibility requirements.
This is just one of the many benefits faculty
members receive because of the diligence of
APSCUF, the faculty union. This coverage is
provided at NO COST to you. For more details
and information on eligibility and an enrollment
card, please contact Mandy Onion in the APSCUF
office at aonion@apscuf.org

Want some new APSCUF gear? APSCUF
has partnered with Worx Printing, a worker
owned union coop to offer a small number
of items featuring the APSCUF logo.
APSCUF does not receive proceeds or
profits from these items, nor does it play
any role in the manufacturing, production,
shipping, or
customer
support
process. We
made our logo available so members had
the option to purchase these items on
demand. Use the link below to visit the
shop.
Worxhttps://shop.worxprinting.coop/collections/
apscuf

Additional embroidered
APSCUF gear can be
ordered through the main
website.
https://www.apscuf.org/members/apscufapparel/

https://www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/

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Service
Clarion APSCUF members partnered with the League of Women Voters of Clarion County
and the office of Student Development on September 19th to provide Voter Registration
information for National Voter Registration Day.
Are YOU registered to vote?

Pennsylvania Online Voter Registration
https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx
https://www.vote.pa.gov/Register-to-Vote/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/

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CHAPTER INFORMATION
Clarion APSCUF
Executive Council
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Coach President:
Coach Vice President:
Grievance Chair:
Coaches Grievance Chair:
Venango Campus Rep:
CAP Chair:
Dept. Rep. Chair:
Health and Welfare Officer:
Legislative Officer:
Meet & Discuss Spokesperson:
Membership Officer:
Negotiations Officer:
Nominations & Elections Chair:
Social Justice Chair:
Public Affairs/Public Relations:
Rules & By-Laws Officer:
Student Liaison Officer:
State Adjunct Fac. Committee:
Mobilization Co-Chairs:

Clarion APSCUF
2023-2024
Dates to Remember

Joyce Overly
Mark Kilwein
Robin Bilan
Xiaofeng Li
Ray Monica
Heath Calhoun
Mark Kilwein
Eric Laughlin
Renee Bloom
Nripendra Singh
Mary Buchanan
Amy Shannonhouse
Marcella McConnell
Adam Roberts
Tonya Otto
Joyce Overly
Rachel Newbury
Ron Radaker
Lacey Fulton
Jamie Phillips
Marc Sanko
Natasha Dias
Jacqueline Knaust
Andy Lingwall

Executive Council
Tuesdays @ 3:30 in the APSCUF
Conference Room
October 17
November 7
November 28
Department
Representatives
Tuesdays @ 3:30 in the APSCUF
Conference Room
November 14

University Tenure Committee
Wednesday Nov 15 @ 4:00

Legislative Assembly
Sheraton Harrisburg

For a complete list of committee members see the Clarion APSCUF website.

February 1-3 2024
April 18-20 2024

Clarion APSCUF Office
840 Wood Street (Mailing)
1061 Wood Street (Physical)
Phone: 814-227-2420
Email: aonion@apscuf.org
Office Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00-4:00
Closed for Lunch 12:00-1:00
Clarion APSCUF President: Joyce Overly
Office Manager: Mandy Onion
Clarion APSCUF Website:

www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion

HAVE YOU MOVED? 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

Clarion University | APSCUF
https://www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion/

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