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Phone: (814) 227-2420
www.apscuf.org
August/September 2020
Executive Committee: President – Joyce Overly; Vice President – t/b/d; Secretary – Christopher McCarrick; Treasurer – Linda Lillard; Delegates –Joyce
Overly, Jennifer May, Barry Sweet, Jacqueline Knaust, Mark Lepore, Annette Rosati; Alternate Delegates – Ellen Foster, Jonathan Touster, Cristin
Ketley, Jamie Phillips, Lorie Taylor; Coaches President – Chris Weibel; Coaches Vice President – Matt Hanhold; Coaches Alternate – Keith Ferraro;
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 – Joyce Overly; Nominations &
Elections – Rachel Newbury; Social Justice – Cahndice Matthews; Public Affairs/Relations – Christopher McCarrick; Student Liaison – Marc Sanko; Rules
& Bylaws – Jamie Phillips; Mobilization Co-Chairs – Jackie Knaust & Andy Lingwall; State Temporary Faculty Committee – Natasha Dias; State APSCUF
Executive Council – Joyce Overly
Faculty Meet & Discuss Team: Joyce Overly, Barry Sweet, Adam Roberts, Mark Kilwein, Jennifer May, Mary Buchanan
Coaches Meet & Discus Team: Chris Weibel, Matt Hanhold, Keith Ferraro, Eric Laughlin, Joyce Overly & Chapter Vice President- t/b/d
WELCOME BACK FACULTY & COACHES!!
The President’s Message…
Dear Clarion APSCUF Brothers and Sisters,
For almost every year of my life since kindergarten, the month of August has meant “back to
school,” and this year is no different. At the same time, it is an August like no other, for many
reasons that we are all acutely aware of. The tragic national and global events of the past six months have upended
any sense of normalcy. As my 76-year-old mother said to me recently, “I’ve never lived through anything remotely
like this.”
Before I address the challenges that APSCUF and Clarion University will be grappling with over the next few months
and beyond, I want to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to outgoing Clarion APSCUF Chapter President Ray Feroz and
wish him a happy and healthy retirement. When APSCUF experienced its first-ever strike in Ray’s first semester as
president, his astute and unflappable leadership helped see us through those long days. For that and his wise
guidance in the years since, we are grateful!
It is impossible to overstate the difficulties that lie ahead of us at Clarion and across PASSHE. The two most
immediate issues are retrenchment and integration with California University. In this letter, I want to focus on
retrenchment; I’ll write more in the next newsletter about integration.
On May 28, Clarion APSCUF received a letter formally notifying us that “Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Clarion
University) may need to retrench faculty due to changes in finances at the conclusion of the 2020-2021 academic
year.” The letter does NOT mean retrenchment is inevitable, only that it is a possibility, and it sets in motion a
process of sharing data about university finances, enrollment, and personnel, and seeking alternatives to
retrenchment. Toward that end, the local APSCUF Meet-and-Discuss team and a state APSCUF Labor Relations
Director met with management during the summer. Unfortunately, at this time the retrenchment letter is still on
the table. Be assured that APSCUF is pushing back hard at both the local and state level.
The retrenchment process (now underway at 10 PASSHE universities) seems to be driven by the requirement to
achieve student-faculty ratios established by Chancellor Dan Greenstein. The chancellor set the target for each
university at its ratio from 2011, a high-water point for most of us. It is an absurd, arbitrary metric that is not
mentioned in the CBA as an allowable reason for retrenchment. Furthermore, management at Clarion has said they
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do not yet have any plans or guidelines in place to identify which departments or faculty members they are
targeting for retrenchment, despite multiple requests for this information at M&D.
Then, on July 16, the Chancellor proposed, and the Board of Governors approved, exploration of the integration of
Clarion with California University. The first step in this process is for the universities to do a financial analysis of the
proposed integration, to be submitted to the BOG by October 15. In response, our M&D team requested that the
retrenchment letter be withdrawn, considering the many unknowns of the integration process. Management stated
that they intend to move forward with retrenchment and refused to pull the letter. That is where things stand as I
write this.
This situation is distressing and demoralizing, to be sure. The thing that gives me hope is our solidarity. I don’t know
how all of this is going to turn out, but I do know that our resourcefulness, intelligence, diligence, and support for
each other are formidable and will see us through.
In solidarity,
Joyce
GOOD-BYE AND SO LONG!
Past President’s Final Thoughts Upon Retirement…
Dear Colleagues,
Well, it is August 14 and today I officially retire. I pay attention to signs. Exactly 50
years ago I finished my sophomore year at home via US Mail following the Kent
State shootings, and 50 years later I finished my spring classes at home online
following the COVID-19 pandemic. Unusual bookends to encapsulate a career!
And I could not have been more blessed across those 50 years.
It has been my honor to serve as your Chapter president during the past 4 years. We have learned that
difficult times can bring out the best in people. Clarion University, and indeed the entire SSHE, face difficult
times once again. But as sure as we overcame the challenges of 2016, we can overcome them again, creating a
new and improved system, built on a solid foundation for the 21st century.
APSCUF is a member-run union. We do not have a management company running the show, nor an executive
director who may or may not have university experience. We have an elected president and officers at the
university and state levels, and serious member input in all that we do. Recognizing that we are member
driven, I would like to close by thanking everyone who has served in APSCUF leadership and committees
during my tenure. Our officers Joyce Overly (VP), Linda Lillard (Treasurer), and Chris McCarrick (Secretary) are
incredible. The members of our Meet and Discuss Team have faithfully and resolutely represented the faculty
point of view to management: Barry Sweet (Spokesperson), Joyce Overly, Mark Kilwein (Grievance Chair),
Adam Roberts, Jen May, Mary Buchanan (DRC Chair), and Chris McCarrick. Our Executive Committee provides
guidance to the day-to-day operations and I have been blessed to have these members, in addition to our
other aforementioned officers, serving during AY 19-20 and some from past EC’s: Jamie Phillips, Amy
Shannonhouse, Annette Rosati, Amy Love, Jon Touster, Joseph Croskey, Lorie Taylor, Andy Lingwall, Paul
Klenowski, Mark Lepore, Renee Bloom, Jackie Knaust, Natasha Dias, Cristin Ketley, Ellen Foster, Jane Walsh,
Bell O’Neil, Chris Weibel, Matt Hanhold, Eric Laughlin, Karl Sprenger, YooJin Ha, Carey Childers, and Marilyn
Howe.
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And where would I be without Jan Walters? If I ever seemed organized, it was because of Jan Walter’s superb
planning and shepherding skills. Thanks Jan! Finally, rarely does a chapter have someone ready to assume the
chapter presidency as well-prepared as Joyce Overly, who has served in recent years on the state APSCUF
Executive Committee. I know Clarion APSCUF is in good hands. Thanks for your support and forbearance
during my tenure as your chapter president. The term Solidarity will always have a sacred meaning in my heart
because of you.
In solidarity always,
Ray
FALL 2020 MEETINGS
(Please mark your calendars!)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EC)
Held virtually on Zoom @ 3:30 pm
Tuesday, September 8
Tuesday, September 22
Tuesday, October 6
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, November 3
Tuesday, November 17
dEPARTMENTAL REP COUNCIL
Held virtually on Zoom @ 3:30 PM
Tuesday, September 15
Tuesday, October 13
Tuesday, November 10
MEET & DISCUSS @ 2:30 pm
t/b/d
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP & BU MEETINGS
Tuesday, September 29– Held virtually on Zoom @ 3:30 pm
(Campus visit – State APSCUF President Jamie Martin)
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLIES
September, 19, 2020 - Held virtually on Zoom @ 10 am
February 6-8, 2020 (Radisson, Camp Hill, PA)
April 16-18, 2020 (Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel,
Harrisburg)
Fall Faculty Meeting/APSCUF Bargaining Unit Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2020
starting at 6:30 pm on Zoom. All active faculty and coaches are part of the Bargaining Unit and ALL are
invited to participate. The Fall Faculty Meeting will include President Pehrsson providing a university
update; Provost Gent will recognize faculty who have been promoted, granted tenure or are returning
sabbatical leave; and new faculty and coaches will be introduced to the university community.
Following the fall faculty meeting, the APSCUF Bargaining Unit Meeting will meet in which information
will be shared about the issues that APSCUF is working on. So please mark you meeting calendar and join your
colleagues at this event! It’s a great way to begin the new academic year!
ATTENTION ALL APSCUF MEMBERS (Faculty & Coaches): The Clarion APSCUF General
Membership Meeting will be held virtually on Zoom on Tuesday, September 29th @ 3:30 pm. State
APSCUF President, Jamie Martin will be our guest speaker at this meeting. Light refreshments will
NOT be served, but you certainly can have your own eats and drinks during the meeting. Please mark
your meeting calendars and make an effort to attend this meeting.
NOTE: Included on the Membership Meeting Agenda will be voting to approve APSCUF Appointees
along with changes in our local APSCUF By-Laws which are inserted in this newsletter.
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APSCUF’s September Assembly to be held virtually: For the health and safety of delegates and officers, APSCUF's
September legislative assembly will be held via Zoom. The regularly two-day event will be condensed into one day,
Friday, Sept. 18 starting at 10:00 am.. Before your campus representatives log into the meeting, please take a
moment to contact them and share the issues of importance to you. We want you to have a voice in your union.
Academic Pay Year Adjustment for 2020-2021 AY a/k/a Payless Pay Date: Effective for the 2020-2021 AY, a
pay period adjustment will occur to realign the academic year pay dates with the calendar year. To
accomplish this adjustment, the initial pay period for the AY will be moved forward by one pay period. If you
are on a 26-pay cycle, your last pay for this year will be August 28, 2020. All faculty members, both 20- and
26- pay options, will receive their first pay check for the 2020-2021 AY on September 25, 2020. No paycheck will
be issued on the pay date of September 11, 2020. Please note that you will receive all compensation to which you
are entitled for the academic year. Any question on this, please contact our Human Resources office.
NOTE: State APSCUF and Chapter Office staff continues to serve you remotely until further
notice. They remain accessible via phone and email. Thank you for your patience as we respond
to your communication as soon as we are able.
ARE YOU TRYING TO FIND ALL THE PROMOTION, TENURE, SABBATICAL LEAVE AND/OR
EVALUATIONS INFORMATION AND MATERIALS? Go to the Clarion APSCUF webpage at
www.apscuf.org/universties/clarion and click onto “Documentation Center” (right-hand side).
For a quick reference, please place this in your “favorites”. Note that all materials are updated on the web
when received from each university-wide committee chair.
University-wide Contractual Committee Chairs
Tenure Chair – Adam Roberts
CCPS Chair – Barry Sweet
Promotion Co-Chairs – Helen Hampikian
Sabbatical Leave Chair – Leah Chambers
For a complete listing of all the members of the university-wide contractual committees, go to
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion . Members list is also included in this newsletter.
-ANNOUNCEMENTSPECIAL ELECTION: VACANCY FOR THE OFFICE OF CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT & VOTING INFORMATION
The Clarion APSCUF Nominations and Elections Committee are pleased to announce the
following slate of candidates for the office of Chapter Vice President. Please find
attached their candidate statements.
Lacey Fulton (Communication)
Mark Kilwein (Counseling, Human Services, Rehab & Criminal Justice)
Paul Woodburne (Social Sciences)
VOTING: This Special Election to fill the vacancy of the office of Chapter Vice
President will take place thru Survey Monkey and ballots will be sent to campus email
addresses. Voting will be held from Tuesday, September 1 starting at 6:00 am thru
Wednesday, September 2 with the poll closing at 4:00 pm.
If you have any questions about this special election process, please contact N&E Chair
Rachel Newbury at rnewbury@clarion.edu.
Thank you, all, for your interest in serving our union and our university community.
Best wishes,
Rachel Newbury, N & E Chair, Paul Klenowski, Amanda Lockwood, Natasha Dias, Xiaofeng Li
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WELCOME New & Returning APSCUF Members!!
Cathy Allgeier – Finance, Accounting & Real Estate
Drew Williams – Visual & Performing Arts
Emily Meyer-Stewart – Counseling, Human Services, Rehab & Criminal Justice
Coach Alexa Ream – Head Women’s Soccer
Coach Vinny Rizzo – Assistant Football
APSCUF MEMBERSHIP – APSCUF Membership is open to ALL active faculty and coaches - Tenured, TenureTrack, 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. Signup and get involved today! To request a membership
application, please contact Jan Walters in the APSCUF office at jwalters@clarion.edu .
APSCUF MEMBERS: ARE YOU REGISTERED FOR APSCUF’s “MEMBERS ONLY” SITE??
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” site. 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” site, 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 with National and Alamo,
magazines and lots more. So sign up today!! http://www.apscuf.org/members/forms-and-benefits/special-services
YMCA MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT: Receive a membership discount when you join the new Clarion County
Scenic Rivers YMCA in Clarion. Present your membership card OR your Member Verification Certificate from
the Clarion APSCUF office to the YMCA Member Service Desk and receive a special discount on your
membership. Know that your membership is for both the Oil City and Clarion County YMCAs!
HAVE YOU MOVED OVER THE SUMMER? If so, please be sure to inform Jan 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 new enrollment form, please contact Jan the APSCUF office today at jwalters@clarion.edu.
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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 on your appointment. They will need your ID number to process your paperwork with UCCI and NVA.
ATTENTION PART-TIME TEMPS: ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR PA FACULTY HEALTH & WELFARE
FUND BENEFITS – faculty’s vision & dental provider??
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 samesex domestic partner is eligible for benefits.
For more details and information on eligibility, go to www.apscuf.org 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 .
REVISED LIST - FACULTY RETIREMENTS
Best Wishes to our 2019-2020 Retirees
Dr. Stephen Agyei-Mensah, Computer Information Science
Dr. Jerry Belloit, Finance (January 2020)
Dr. Nancyann Falvo, Nursing
Dr. John Heard, Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics(August 2019)
Dr. Ray Feroz, Counseling, Human Services, Rehab & Criminal Justice
Dr. Anthony Grenci - Accountacy
Dr. Christina Hearst, Student Support Faculty
Dr. Ralph Leary, English & Modern Languages (January 2020)
Dr. Herbert Luthin, English & Modern Languages
Dr. John McCullough, Education
Dr. Mark Mitchell, Psychology
Ms. Michele Pedlow, Trio Student Support Services
Mr. James Rose, Visual & Performing Arts
Dr. Thomas Rourke, Social Sciences
Dr. Richard Sabousky, Special Education
Dr. Jocelynn Smrekar, Education
Dr. Lisa Turner, Special Education
Dr. Craig Zamzow, Biology & Geosciences
Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus, the spring Retirement Reception was postponed. Once the social
distancing has been lifted, new plans for a celebration will follow.
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REVISED LIST - DEPARTMENT NAMES & CHAIRS
Congratulations & Best Wishes to the following individuals!
Department Name
Biology and Geosciences
Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
Computer Information Sciences
Communication
Counseling, Human Services, Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Education
English and Modern Languages
Finance, Accounting & Real Estate
Information and Library Science
Library Services
Management and Marketing
Nursing
Nutrition, Health & Sport Science
Psychology
Social Sciences
Special Education
Student Affairs Faculty
Student Support Services
Visual and Performing Arts
Chair Name
Andrew Keth
Adam Roberts
Jeffrey Childs
Lacey Fulton
Jennifer May
Kristina Dworek
Jesse Haight
Leah Chambers
Jeffrey Eicher
Linda Lillard
Mary Buchanan
Tony Johns
Deb Kelly
Doug Knepp
Jeanne Slattery
Barry Sweet
Lorie Taylor
Wendy Snodgrass
Joseph Croskey
Casey Teske
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW TENURE-TRACK FACULTY
Welcome new tenure-track faculty for the Fall Semester 2020!
Bill Adams – Communication
Natasha Dias – Biology & Geosciences
Gary Williams – Management & Marketing
TENURE GRANTED
Congratulations to the following faculty who have been granted Tenure effective the Fall Semester 2020!
Jennifer Barch – Student Affairs Faculty – Counseling
Laurie Bladen – Nursing
Donna Falsetti – Nursing
Kristina Dworek – Communication Sciences & Disorders
Kristen Curreri– Nutrition, Health & Sport Science
Jane Walsh – Social Sciences
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PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to the following faculty who have been granted Promotions effective Fall Semester 2020!
INSRUCTOR TO ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Laurie Pierce – Nursing
Rachel Newbury – Libraries
Brianna Steele – Student Affairs Faculty - Counseling
ASSISTANT TO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Jane Walsh – Social Sciences
Kate Overmoyer – Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Annette Rosati – English & Modern Languages
Laurie Bladen – Nursing
Ambreena Siddiq – Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
ASSOCIATE TO FULL PROFESSOR
Mark Lepore – Counseling, Human Service, Rehab & Criminal Justice
Peggy Apple – Education
Amy Love – Special Education
Young-Gyoung Kim – Special Education
Dan Shifflet - Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Wendy Snodgrass – Student Affairs Faculty - Athletics
Dan Clark - Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Mary Pat McCarthy – Communication Science & Disorders
Stephen Johnson - Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics (Music!)
Uraina Pack - English & Modern Languages
SABBATICAL LEAVES GRANTED for 2020-2021 AY
Congratulations to the following faculty who were granted Sabbatical Leave during the 2021-2022 Academic Year!
Jonathan Touster – Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Stephen Johnson - Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Kevan Yenerall – Social Sciences (Spring 2022)
Catherine Petrissans – Social Sciences
Andy Lingwall- Communication (Spring 2022)
Ellen Foster- English & Modern Languages
Sandra Trejos – Social Sciences (Fall 2021)
Linda Lillard – Library Science (Spring 2022)
Dipendra Bhattacharya- Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics (Spring 2022)
Dana Madison - Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics (Spring 2022)
Best wishes to the following faculty who were granted Sabbatical Leave during the 2020-2021 Academic Year!
David Hipfel – Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Doug Knepp – Nutrition, Health & Sport Sciences (Spring 2020)
Miguel Olivas-Lujan – Marketing & Management
Yun Shao – English & Modern Languages
Phil Terman – English & Modern Languages
Leah Chambers – English & Modern Languages (Fall 2020)
Uraina Pack – English & Modern Languages (Fall 2020)
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LOCAL APSCUF BY-LAW CHANGE – To be voted on by the membership at the General Membership
Meeting to be held virtually on Zoom, Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 3:30 pm. The Zoom link for this
meeting will be sent to your campus email prior to the meeting.
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Executive Committee: President – Joyce Overly; Vice President – t/b/d; Secretary – Christopher McCarrick; Treasurer – Linda Lillard; Delegates –Joyce
Overly, Jennifer May, Barry Sweet, Jacqueline Knaust, Mark Lepore, Annette Rosati; Alternate Delegates – Ellen Foster, Jonathan Touster, Cristin
Ketley, Jamie Phillips, Lorie Taylor; Coaches President – Chris Weibel; Coaches Vice President – Matt Hanhold; Coaches Alternate – Keith Ferraro;
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 – Joyce Overly; Nominations &
Elections – Rachel Newbury; Social Justice – Cahndice Matthews; Public Affairs/Relations – Christopher McCarrick; Student Liaison – Marc Sanko; Rules
& Bylaws – Jamie Phillips; Mobilization Co-Chairs – Jackie Knaust & Andy Lingwall; State Temporary Faculty Committee – Natasha Dias; State APSCUF
Executive Council – Joyce Overly
Faculty Meet & Discuss Team: Joyce Overly, Barry Sweet, Adam Roberts, Mark Kilwein, Jennifer May, Mary Buchanan
Coaches Meet & Discus Team: Chris Weibel, Matt Hanhold, Keith Ferraro, Eric Laughlin, Joyce Overly & Chapter Vice President- t/b/d
WELCOME BACK FACULTY & COACHES!!
The President’s Message…
Dear Clarion APSCUF Brothers and Sisters,
For almost every year of my life since kindergarten, the month of August has meant “back to
school,” and this year is no different. At the same time, it is an August like no other, for many
reasons that we are all acutely aware of. The tragic national and global events of the past six months have upended
any sense of normalcy. As my 76-year-old mother said to me recently, “I’ve never lived through anything remotely
like this.”
Before I address the challenges that APSCUF and Clarion University will be grappling with over the next few months
and beyond, I want to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to outgoing Clarion APSCUF Chapter President Ray Feroz and
wish him a happy and healthy retirement. When APSCUF experienced its first-ever strike in Ray’s first semester as
president, his astute and unflappable leadership helped see us through those long days. For that and his wise
guidance in the years since, we are grateful!
It is impossible to overstate the difficulties that lie ahead of us at Clarion and across PASSHE. The two most
immediate issues are retrenchment and integration with California University. In this letter, I want to focus on
retrenchment; I’ll write more in the next newsletter about integration.
On May 28, Clarion APSCUF received a letter formally notifying us that “Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Clarion
University) may need to retrench faculty due to changes in finances at the conclusion of the 2020-2021 academic
year.” The letter does NOT mean retrenchment is inevitable, only that it is a possibility, and it sets in motion a
process of sharing data about university finances, enrollment, and personnel, and seeking alternatives to
retrenchment. Toward that end, the local APSCUF Meet-and-Discuss team and a state APSCUF Labor Relations
Director met with management during the summer. Unfortunately, at this time the retrenchment letter is still on
the table. Be assured that APSCUF is pushing back hard at both the local and state level.
The retrenchment process (now underway at 10 PASSHE universities) seems to be driven by the requirement to
achieve student-faculty ratios established by Chancellor Dan Greenstein. The chancellor set the target for each
university at its ratio from 2011, a high-water point for most of us. It is an absurd, arbitrary metric that is not
mentioned in the CBA as an allowable reason for retrenchment. Furthermore, management at Clarion has said they
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do not yet have any plans or guidelines in place to identify which departments or faculty members they are
targeting for retrenchment, despite multiple requests for this information at M&D.
Then, on July 16, the Chancellor proposed, and the Board of Governors approved, exploration of the integration of
Clarion with California University. The first step in this process is for the universities to do a financial analysis of the
proposed integration, to be submitted to the BOG by October 15. In response, our M&D team requested that the
retrenchment letter be withdrawn, considering the many unknowns of the integration process. Management stated
that they intend to move forward with retrenchment and refused to pull the letter. That is where things stand as I
write this.
This situation is distressing and demoralizing, to be sure. The thing that gives me hope is our solidarity. I don’t know
how all of this is going to turn out, but I do know that our resourcefulness, intelligence, diligence, and support for
each other are formidable and will see us through.
In solidarity,
Joyce
GOOD-BYE AND SO LONG!
Past President’s Final Thoughts Upon Retirement…
Dear Colleagues,
Well, it is August 14 and today I officially retire. I pay attention to signs. Exactly 50
years ago I finished my sophomore year at home via US Mail following the Kent
State shootings, and 50 years later I finished my spring classes at home online
following the COVID-19 pandemic. Unusual bookends to encapsulate a career!
And I could not have been more blessed across those 50 years.
It has been my honor to serve as your Chapter president during the past 4 years. We have learned that
difficult times can bring out the best in people. Clarion University, and indeed the entire SSHE, face difficult
times once again. But as sure as we overcame the challenges of 2016, we can overcome them again, creating a
new and improved system, built on a solid foundation for the 21st century.
APSCUF is a member-run union. We do not have a management company running the show, nor an executive
director who may or may not have university experience. We have an elected president and officers at the
university and state levels, and serious member input in all that we do. Recognizing that we are member
driven, I would like to close by thanking everyone who has served in APSCUF leadership and committees
during my tenure. Our officers Joyce Overly (VP), Linda Lillard (Treasurer), and Chris McCarrick (Secretary) are
incredible. The members of our Meet and Discuss Team have faithfully and resolutely represented the faculty
point of view to management: Barry Sweet (Spokesperson), Joyce Overly, Mark Kilwein (Grievance Chair),
Adam Roberts, Jen May, Mary Buchanan (DRC Chair), and Chris McCarrick. Our Executive Committee provides
guidance to the day-to-day operations and I have been blessed to have these members, in addition to our
other aforementioned officers, serving during AY 19-20 and some from past EC’s: Jamie Phillips, Amy
Shannonhouse, Annette Rosati, Amy Love, Jon Touster, Joseph Croskey, Lorie Taylor, Andy Lingwall, Paul
Klenowski, Mark Lepore, Renee Bloom, Jackie Knaust, Natasha Dias, Cristin Ketley, Ellen Foster, Jane Walsh,
Bell O’Neil, Chris Weibel, Matt Hanhold, Eric Laughlin, Karl Sprenger, YooJin Ha, Carey Childers, and Marilyn
Howe.
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And where would I be without Jan Walters? If I ever seemed organized, it was because of Jan Walter’s superb
planning and shepherding skills. Thanks Jan! Finally, rarely does a chapter have someone ready to assume the
chapter presidency as well-prepared as Joyce Overly, who has served in recent years on the state APSCUF
Executive Committee. I know Clarion APSCUF is in good hands. Thanks for your support and forbearance
during my tenure as your chapter president. The term Solidarity will always have a sacred meaning in my heart
because of you.
In solidarity always,
Ray
FALL 2020 MEETINGS
(Please mark your calendars!)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EC)
Held virtually on Zoom @ 3:30 pm
Tuesday, September 8
Tuesday, September 22
Tuesday, October 6
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, November 3
Tuesday, November 17
dEPARTMENTAL REP COUNCIL
Held virtually on Zoom @ 3:30 PM
Tuesday, September 15
Tuesday, October 13
Tuesday, November 10
MEET & DISCUSS @ 2:30 pm
t/b/d
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP & BU MEETINGS
Tuesday, September 29– Held virtually on Zoom @ 3:30 pm
(Campus visit – State APSCUF President Jamie Martin)
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLIES
September, 19, 2020 - Held virtually on Zoom @ 10 am
February 6-8, 2020 (Radisson, Camp Hill, PA)
April 16-18, 2020 (Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel,
Harrisburg)
Fall Faculty Meeting/APSCUF Bargaining Unit Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2020
starting at 6:30 pm on Zoom. All active faculty and coaches are part of the Bargaining Unit and ALL are
invited to participate. The Fall Faculty Meeting will include President Pehrsson providing a university
update; Provost Gent will recognize faculty who have been promoted, granted tenure or are returning
sabbatical leave; and new faculty and coaches will be introduced to the university community.
Following the fall faculty meeting, the APSCUF Bargaining Unit Meeting will meet in which information
will be shared about the issues that APSCUF is working on. So please mark you meeting calendar and join your
colleagues at this event! It’s a great way to begin the new academic year!
ATTENTION ALL APSCUF MEMBERS (Faculty & Coaches): The Clarion APSCUF General
Membership Meeting will be held virtually on Zoom on Tuesday, September 29th @ 3:30 pm. State
APSCUF President, Jamie Martin will be our guest speaker at this meeting. Light refreshments will
NOT be served, but you certainly can have your own eats and drinks during the meeting. Please mark
your meeting calendars and make an effort to attend this meeting.
NOTE: Included on the Membership Meeting Agenda will be voting to approve APSCUF Appointees
along with changes in our local APSCUF By-Laws which are inserted in this newsletter.
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APSCUF’s September Assembly to be held virtually: For the health and safety of delegates and officers, APSCUF's
September legislative assembly will be held via Zoom. The regularly two-day event will be condensed into one day,
Friday, Sept. 18 starting at 10:00 am.. Before your campus representatives log into the meeting, please take a
moment to contact them and share the issues of importance to you. We want you to have a voice in your union.
Academic Pay Year Adjustment for 2020-2021 AY a/k/a Payless Pay Date: Effective for the 2020-2021 AY, a
pay period adjustment will occur to realign the academic year pay dates with the calendar year. To
accomplish this adjustment, the initial pay period for the AY will be moved forward by one pay period. If you
are on a 26-pay cycle, your last pay for this year will be August 28, 2020. All faculty members, both 20- and
26- pay options, will receive their first pay check for the 2020-2021 AY on September 25, 2020. No paycheck will
be issued on the pay date of September 11, 2020. Please note that you will receive all compensation to which you
are entitled for the academic year. Any question on this, please contact our Human Resources office.
NOTE: State APSCUF and Chapter Office staff continues to serve you remotely until further
notice. They remain accessible via phone and email. Thank you for your patience as we respond
to your communication as soon as we are able.
ARE YOU TRYING TO FIND ALL THE PROMOTION, TENURE, SABBATICAL LEAVE AND/OR
EVALUATIONS INFORMATION AND MATERIALS? Go to the Clarion APSCUF webpage at
www.apscuf.org/universties/clarion and click onto “Documentation Center” (right-hand side).
For a quick reference, please place this in your “favorites”. Note that all materials are updated on the web
when received from each university-wide committee chair.
University-wide Contractual Committee Chairs
Tenure Chair – Adam Roberts
CCPS Chair – Barry Sweet
Promotion Co-Chairs – Helen Hampikian
Sabbatical Leave Chair – Leah Chambers
For a complete listing of all the members of the university-wide contractual committees, go to
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion . Members list is also included in this newsletter.
-ANNOUNCEMENTSPECIAL ELECTION: VACANCY FOR THE OFFICE OF CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT & VOTING INFORMATION
The Clarion APSCUF Nominations and Elections Committee are pleased to announce the
following slate of candidates for the office of Chapter Vice President. Please find
attached their candidate statements.
Lacey Fulton (Communication)
Mark Kilwein (Counseling, Human Services, Rehab & Criminal Justice)
Paul Woodburne (Social Sciences)
VOTING: This Special Election to fill the vacancy of the office of Chapter Vice
President will take place thru Survey Monkey and ballots will be sent to campus email
addresses. Voting will be held from Tuesday, September 1 starting at 6:00 am thru
Wednesday, September 2 with the poll closing at 4:00 pm.
If you have any questions about this special election process, please contact N&E Chair
Rachel Newbury at rnewbury@clarion.edu.
Thank you, all, for your interest in serving our union and our university community.
Best wishes,
Rachel Newbury, N & E Chair, Paul Klenowski, Amanda Lockwood, Natasha Dias, Xiaofeng Li
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WELCOME New & Returning APSCUF Members!!
Cathy Allgeier – Finance, Accounting & Real Estate
Drew Williams – Visual & Performing Arts
Emily Meyer-Stewart – Counseling, Human Services, Rehab & Criminal Justice
Coach Alexa Ream – Head Women’s Soccer
Coach Vinny Rizzo – Assistant Football
APSCUF MEMBERSHIP – APSCUF Membership is open to ALL active faculty and coaches - Tenured, TenureTrack, 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. Signup and get involved today! To request a membership
application, please contact Jan Walters in the APSCUF office at jwalters@clarion.edu .
APSCUF MEMBERS: ARE YOU REGISTERED FOR APSCUF’s “MEMBERS ONLY” SITE??
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” site. 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” site, 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 with National and Alamo,
magazines and lots more. So sign up today!! http://www.apscuf.org/members/forms-and-benefits/special-services
YMCA MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT: Receive a membership discount when you join the new Clarion County
Scenic Rivers YMCA in Clarion. Present your membership card OR your Member Verification Certificate from
the Clarion APSCUF office to the YMCA Member Service Desk and receive a special discount on your
membership. Know that your membership is for both the Oil City and Clarion County YMCAs!
HAVE YOU MOVED OVER THE SUMMER? If so, please be sure to inform Jan 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 new enrollment form, please contact Jan the APSCUF office today at jwalters@clarion.edu.
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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 on your appointment. They will need your ID number to process your paperwork with UCCI and NVA.
ATTENTION PART-TIME TEMPS: ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR PA FACULTY HEALTH & WELFARE
FUND BENEFITS – faculty’s vision & dental provider??
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 samesex domestic partner is eligible for benefits.
For more details and information on eligibility, go to www.apscuf.org 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 .
REVISED LIST - FACULTY RETIREMENTS
Best Wishes to our 2019-2020 Retirees
Dr. Stephen Agyei-Mensah, Computer Information Science
Dr. Jerry Belloit, Finance (January 2020)
Dr. Nancyann Falvo, Nursing
Dr. John Heard, Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics(August 2019)
Dr. Ray Feroz, Counseling, Human Services, Rehab & Criminal Justice
Dr. Anthony Grenci - Accountacy
Dr. Christina Hearst, Student Support Faculty
Dr. Ralph Leary, English & Modern Languages (January 2020)
Dr. Herbert Luthin, English & Modern Languages
Dr. John McCullough, Education
Dr. Mark Mitchell, Psychology
Ms. Michele Pedlow, Trio Student Support Services
Mr. James Rose, Visual & Performing Arts
Dr. Thomas Rourke, Social Sciences
Dr. Richard Sabousky, Special Education
Dr. Jocelynn Smrekar, Education
Dr. Lisa Turner, Special Education
Dr. Craig Zamzow, Biology & Geosciences
Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus, the spring Retirement Reception was postponed. Once the social
distancing has been lifted, new plans for a celebration will follow.
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REVISED LIST - DEPARTMENT NAMES & CHAIRS
Congratulations & Best Wishes to the following individuals!
Department Name
Biology and Geosciences
Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
Computer Information Sciences
Communication
Counseling, Human Services, Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Education
English and Modern Languages
Finance, Accounting & Real Estate
Information and Library Science
Library Services
Management and Marketing
Nursing
Nutrition, Health & Sport Science
Psychology
Social Sciences
Special Education
Student Affairs Faculty
Student Support Services
Visual and Performing Arts
Chair Name
Andrew Keth
Adam Roberts
Jeffrey Childs
Lacey Fulton
Jennifer May
Kristina Dworek
Jesse Haight
Leah Chambers
Jeffrey Eicher
Linda Lillard
Mary Buchanan
Tony Johns
Deb Kelly
Doug Knepp
Jeanne Slattery
Barry Sweet
Lorie Taylor
Wendy Snodgrass
Joseph Croskey
Casey Teske
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW TENURE-TRACK FACULTY
Welcome new tenure-track faculty for the Fall Semester 2020!
Bill Adams – Communication
Natasha Dias – Biology & Geosciences
Gary Williams – Management & Marketing
TENURE GRANTED
Congratulations to the following faculty who have been granted Tenure effective the Fall Semester 2020!
Jennifer Barch – Student Affairs Faculty – Counseling
Laurie Bladen – Nursing
Donna Falsetti – Nursing
Kristina Dworek – Communication Sciences & Disorders
Kristen Curreri– Nutrition, Health & Sport Science
Jane Walsh – Social Sciences
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PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to the following faculty who have been granted Promotions effective Fall Semester 2020!
INSRUCTOR TO ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Laurie Pierce – Nursing
Rachel Newbury – Libraries
Brianna Steele – Student Affairs Faculty - Counseling
ASSISTANT TO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Jane Walsh – Social Sciences
Kate Overmoyer – Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Annette Rosati – English & Modern Languages
Laurie Bladen – Nursing
Ambreena Siddiq – Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
ASSOCIATE TO FULL PROFESSOR
Mark Lepore – Counseling, Human Service, Rehab & Criminal Justice
Peggy Apple – Education
Amy Love – Special Education
Young-Gyoung Kim – Special Education
Dan Shifflet - Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Wendy Snodgrass – Student Affairs Faculty - Athletics
Dan Clark - Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Mary Pat McCarthy – Communication Science & Disorders
Stephen Johnson - Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics (Music!)
Uraina Pack - English & Modern Languages
SABBATICAL LEAVES GRANTED for 2020-2021 AY
Congratulations to the following faculty who were granted Sabbatical Leave during the 2021-2022 Academic Year!
Jonathan Touster – Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Stephen Johnson - Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Kevan Yenerall – Social Sciences (Spring 2022)
Catherine Petrissans – Social Sciences
Andy Lingwall- Communication (Spring 2022)
Ellen Foster- English & Modern Languages
Sandra Trejos – Social Sciences (Fall 2021)
Linda Lillard – Library Science (Spring 2022)
Dipendra Bhattacharya- Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics (Spring 2022)
Dana Madison - Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics (Spring 2022)
Best wishes to the following faculty who were granted Sabbatical Leave during the 2020-2021 Academic Year!
David Hipfel – Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics
Doug Knepp – Nutrition, Health & Sport Sciences (Spring 2020)
Miguel Olivas-Lujan – Marketing & Management
Yun Shao – English & Modern Languages
Phil Terman – English & Modern Languages
Leah Chambers – English & Modern Languages (Fall 2020)
Uraina Pack – English & Modern Languages (Fall 2020)
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LOCAL APSCUF BY-LAW CHANGE – To be voted on by the membership at the General Membership
Meeting to be held virtually on Zoom, Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 3:30 pm. The Zoom link for this
meeting will be sent to your campus email prior to the meeting.
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Media of