AAUP MINUTES
October 5, 2006
Members Present:
Agenda, and Minutes from previous meeting, were approved.
Old Business:
Kharif—Membership—[The following is from his written report which he presented at the meeting]:
“There are presently fifty-seven memberships in the TTU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors. Forty-seven of these are payroll deducted memberships for 2006-07, and the remaining ten are direct pay. . . .
“Five of
the forty-seven payroll deducted memberships are for new members. The National AAUP Headquarters in
“Six members using payroll deduction in the 2005-06 academic term have chosen not to renew for 2006-07.
“Membership Recruitment: It is recommended that the Chapter concentrate on having good meetings and public forums to put the name ‘AAUP’ before the campus community in a proactive and positive context. Then during the Winter Semester it is recommended that the Chapter conduct a reduced dues campaign (pending approval of such a campaign by the Washington Headquarters). Concurrently, the chapter can solicit copies of Forum—the newsletter of AAUP and distribute these to all faculty members.”
Kharif went on to assure the members present that he will take care of the reduced dues campaign. He will contact them and give them our plan. They have the right to reject it though.
Jonakin—Treasurer’s Report—As of yesterday [October 4, 2006] we have $1,440.58 in our account. There is another check for about $700.00 that he will be depositing soon.
Programs—Osburn—The Fall Forum is set for Monday. We are still unsure regarding a representative from the Republicans. The Mayor will be doing the introductory remarks.
Joy and Pickering—Joy and Pickering met earlier and
discussed the forum and
A general discussion among members took place regarding various details for the forum.
Joy—As of right now there aren’t any Republican
representatives showing up. We have
contacted them numerous times, via several different avenues. They have not committed to sending
anyone.
Smith—Proposed that the TTU Chapter of AAUP give a $50 per diem to Howard Switzer to cover his gas expenses. He then altered his proposal, and made a motion that
The TTU Chapter of AAUP offer a $50 per diem to each invited speaker.
The motion was seconded by Baker.
General Discussion (mêlée)—Should we provide a per diem for each? Is it their civic duty to come to such events? If we do give them a per diem, should it be equitable? Or should we give it based upon their expenses? Do we give it to the moderator too? The differences between per diems, honorariums, donations, and campaign contributions were also discussed.
Smith—Restated his motion—That the TTU Chapter of AAUP offer a flat and equal per diem to each of our confirmed speakers, Mr. Howard Switzer and Ms. Virginia Betts.
Osburn—Suggested we pay for dinner and reimburse each of them for gas as long as they turn in their receipts.
Smith—Restated motion—That the TTU Chapter of AAUP offer each speaker a $50 honorarium, no receipts necessary, and that those who take a speaker to dinner turn in receipts for the guest’s food and be reimbursed for it. Baker seconded the motion and the motion was approved as amended.
Committee A—No Report
Committee R—No Report
Committee W—No Report
Osburn—Fall Social—All set for it. She will fill out 15 or so handwritten invitations and send them to Pickering who will then address and mail them to all of the new faculty members.
Joy—Newsletter—It has gone out as scheduled. See Joy if you need any extra copies.
Smith—Letter/Motion re: faculty overload and adjunct pay scales—Smith and Baker are working on it. They are hoping to present it at the State AAUP meeting on the 28th since that is who needs to take action on it, and also because it fits in nicely with the theme of the state meeting.
New Business:
Smith—Bredesen wants to make community colleges free. Does President Bell agree with him? Smith expressed concern that this may contribute to exploitation of part time labor and that this will cut into our student population here at TTU.
General discussion of this issue…
Jonakin—would like President Bell to address the
issue of differential fees and the
Eisen—Equity numbers have not been run lately. How do things stand right now? We are aware that reserves are in bad shape, but the money from extra enrollments we made this year will be going to that, so we know where we stand with that problem. (That decision was endorsed by the Advisory Committee.) We do not know where we stand as faculty though regarding equity pay right now. We need to assess where we are at regarding salaries, although we understand that there may not be money to fix any problems right now. How did TTU deal with the issue regarding allowing for extra 2% raises beyond what they allowed?
Meeting adjourned at 11:56 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
TTU AAUP Secretary