The Word from CSEA
Columbus State Education Association Newsletter of April 10, 2013
GOVERNOR KASICH'S PROPOSED BUDGET A "DISASTER" FOR BOTH K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION
On February 12, 2013, Governor Kasich unveiled his biennial budget: a 4,200 page behemoth that contains a hodgepodge of wish-list items for his tea-party allies and his wealthy benefactors. As in 2011, his proposed budget does very little to help public education in Ohio, but rather rewards some of the wealthiest school districts with additional tax dollars (in some cases, increases of more than 400%) while providing no additional funds for the majority of middle-class and rural school districts.
While Governor Kasich's proposed budget is again disastrous for K-12 education, it is no better for higher education. Central to his proposal is the elimination of the planned phase-in of the switch to a performance-based funding model; instead, the switch would take place over a short, two-year time frame. In the first year of the governor's budget, 50% of the State Share of Instruction (SSI) will be based on success points (currently, 10% of the SSI is based on success points). In the second year of the budget, 100% of the SSI will be based on success points, although in ways that are not yet clear. Degree completion will be a priority, with other factors (completion of coursework, retention, and other measures of progress) likely to be considered as well. The enrollment-based factor for SSI will be eliminated in the second year of the budget.
The proposed budget caps tuition increases for community colleges at $100 per year (presumably for a full-time course load). State universities will have their annual increases in tuition capped at 2% or $188, whichever is higher (branch campuses will be capped at 2% or $114, whichever is higher).
The proposed budget also requires each college to submit a campus completion plan to increase college completion rates.
The proposed budget changes the name of the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) program to the College Credit Plus (CCP) Program. It also requires all state colleges to participate in the program; requires high schools to distribute a packet of information to students about the CCP program; changes the formula for paying colleges for delivering CCP instruction; allows colleges to include CCP students in computations for SSI purposes; and allows colleges to charge CCP students for textbooks and class materials.
Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the proposed budget permits colleges to modify its faculty workload policy so that, beginning with either the 2013-2014 or 2014-2015 academic year, each full-time faculty member would be required to teach at least one additional course per academic year. The budget proposal specifically excludes this topic from being subject to collective bargaining, and the institution's policy would prevail over any conflicting provisions within a collective bargaining agreement. Compensation (related to workload changes), however, would continue to be subject to collective bargaining. The proposed bill also requires the Chancellor of OBR to report to the Governor, by December 1, 2015, on the efforts of colleges to increase the teaching loads of full-time faculty.
CSEA strongly encourages you to contact your state representative and your state senator to have this last provision removed from consideration. In a fashion that is (unfortunately) too common in politics, our elected leaders believe they perceive a problem (faculty only teach XX classes per year) and are convinced there is an easy solution to said problem. What they don't realize is that community college faculty are already focused on teaching, and typically teach many more classes than our four-year counterparts, who may also have research responsibilities. So when the politician hears that a faculty member (at a Research I institution, for example) only teaches 2-3 courses a year, they not only don't understand the extent of other responsibilities that faculty member carries, but they misapply that information to community college faculty who are likely teaching 8-12 courses per year. This proposal would clearly be counterproductive to efforts to improve student success. Let your state representative and state senator know today.
You can find your state representative by going to http://www.ohiohouse.gov/ and entering your zip code. Similarly, you can find your state senator by going to http://www.ohiosenate.gov/senate/index and entering your zip code. Letters are preferred; telephone calls are also effective. An email is appreciated, but does not carry the weight of a letter or a telephone call. The Ohio House is expected to vote on or before April 16, after which the Ohio Senate will consider the bill.
COLUMBUS STATE COUGAR 5K CHALLENGE
This event, sponsored by the Staff Advisory Council of Columbus State, supports book scholarships for Columbus State Community College students. The cost of books is a significant and often overlooked cost of attending college. While every effort is made to provide students affordable options, sometimes there is no way around the costs of up to date, high quality textbooks. Your participation will help us endow book scholarships so all students can “cross the finish line” of their education.
This run/walk will have special appeal to Central Ohio runners because it will take place on a unique venue: the picturesque Bridgeview Golf Course located on Agler Road next to Alum Creek. The rolling 5k (3.1mile) course will take runners over and between course fairways on a path that will provide a few climbs, fast grassy downhills and a flat finish around the driving range. The looping course is also spectator friendly.
Enjoy a spring morning "on the green" by taking on the Cougar Challenge to run, walk and support Columbus State Students.
For registration information, please visit: http://www.cscc.edu/community/5k.shtml
THE COLUMBUS STATE DAY TEAM NEEDS YOUR HELP!
On Columbus State Day (October 12, 2013), we’ll open the campus for our 50th Anniversary and invite the community to come see what we do best—educate! But first we need your help.
Set against a festival backdrop, visitors of all ages will join us for demonstrations, workshops, 45-minute self-contained classes, and other fun educational activities that highlight our knowledge and expertise across the college. In addition to being part of CSCC’s 50th Anniversary, the day will also be a key event for the Columbus idUS celebration, a week dedicated to emphasizing creativity and innovation in the central Ohio area.
We’re looking forward to using this day to draw positive attention to the college, and to attract potential students. We want to involve the entire college in showcasing the great things we offer here at Columbus State, and we’re accepting engaging event proposals between now and April 14th at http://ow.ly/hEwiN!This form will walk you through providing a brief description of your idea and some logistical details.
So far we have proposals from over 20 departments across campus, but we’re looking for more! Here are just a few of the ideas other departments are submitting:
- Building Successful Teacher-Parent Relationships (Early Childhood Education)
- Caring for Your Elderly Loved One: Tips & Resources (Nursing)
- Entrepreneurship for Beginners (Paralegal Studies/Business Management)
- Sick of PowerPoint? Try Prezi: An Interactive Workshop (English)
The Columbus State Day Committee will be reviewing proposals in the second half of April and notifying those whose proposals have been accepted at the beginning of May. Questions? Need more information? Contact Carolyn Kaufman at ckaufman@cscc.edu.
SUMMER SEMESTER PAY
This summer Columbus State will embark on its first ever summer semester. Summer semesters will be unique in several ways. Most importantly, summer semester is 11 weeks long (10 weeks of classes plus a week of finals). The Ohio Board of Regents defines one semester hour as 750 minutes of instruction, which means classes will have to meet 150% as much each of the 10 weeks to accommodate our 10 week schedule. Full-time tenure track faculty are compensated for this compression by the fact that our full-time load drops from 15 contact hours (during autumn and spring semesters) to 12 contact hours (during summer semester). A faculty member who teaches 12 hours in summer semesters will be compensated the same as a faculty member who regularly taught 16 hours during summer quarters. This supplemental contract will continue to be paid out over 6 pays from June 14, 2013 until August 30, 2013. All other segments of our work week remain the same (10 office hours and 15 hours of Mission and Learning Support) in summer semester.
Overloads and adjuncts are compensated for this compression by being paid the same amount for each class as they would be if it met for the entire 16 week time period of autumn or spring semester. In other words, the total value for overload and adjunct contracts in summer semester will be computed by taking the number of contact hours for the course, multiplying this by the overload and adjunct rate of $46.30 and multiplying this by 16 weeks. For example, if you are carrying a 6 semester contact hour overload (or a 6 semester hour adjunct contract) then the total amount of that contract will be calculated as follows: 6 semester hours × $46.30 × 16 weeks = $4,444.80. This total amount will be divided equally among 7 pays starting on June 14, 2013 and ending on September 13, 2013.
CSEA has been working with the Administration for over two weeks to confirm that ACF who are renewed for next year will be given the option to teach as ACF this summer. We are still awaiting a final decision from the Administration, but we are hopeful to have confirmation later this week. If the Administration decides to allow ACF to teach this summer, then those who do may teach as an ACF by teaching a full load of 14 - 22 hours and holding 2 additional departmental hours; or they may teach fewer than 14 hours and get paid at the adjunct rate of pay (and not have to hold the additional departmental hours).
PERSONAL LEAVE
At its meeting on March 28, the Board of Trustees approved the recommendation that the four Personal Business Leave Days provided by current Policy 3-12, Personal Business Leave, be rescinded and that those four days be replaced with four paid Holiday Leave Days for staff and administrators. This change to College Policy will take place effect January 1, 2014. Many years ago, employees had 3 personal leave days and 3 religious observance days. In its first contract, CSEA negotiated that these be compressed into 4 personal days that could be used for religious observance. We also negotiated the buyout of up to 16 hours of unused personal leave at the end of each year. The recent board action will not change these provisions, which are protected by our Contract.
CAREER AND TECHNICAL FACULTY ADVISING
Several members of the faculty from the Career and Technical Programs Division are meeting with administrators to try to alleviate the huge work load that advising puts upon career and tech faculty. Among the options that the college is exploring is imbedded advisors to assist faculty with the advising load. Career and Technical faculty made clear during Autumn Semester meetings with CSEA that advising assistance for career and technical students is a top priority.
COLLEGE HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE UPDATES
The College Healthcare committee is considering several changes to our healthcare and CSEA would like your input so that we can direct our representatives on the committee on what positions to take. CSEA will be conducting a survey in the near future to get your input. Some of the issues the committee is considering are:
- Charging a spousal surcharge of anywhere from $50 - $150 per month to cover employees spouses if the spouse has access to healthcare through his or her employer.
- Offering a multi-tiered premium approach. This would extend the options for coverage from Single and Family to Single, Employee + Spouse, Employee + 1 child, and Family. Offering such a tiered system would result in premium savings for some, but for increases for others. The breakdown is:
- Single premiums would increase by 8.4%
- Employee + Spouse premiums would decrease by 9.3% (over the current Family option)
- Employee + 1 Child premiums would decrease by 29.9% (over the current Family option)
- Family premiums would increase by 19.5%
- Mandatory generic prescriptions – employees would have to get generic medications when available or pay the full price of brand name medication. An appeals process may be available.
- Adding points to the Healthy Rewards program for people who quit using tobacco products.
- Creating a 30-45 day wait period for coverage of new hired employees
Be on the lookout for a survey from CSEA to gather input on these issues.
OEA ENDORSES MCGREEVY AND STEIN FOR STRS BOARD
The Ohio Education Association has endorsed Jim McGreevy and Bob Stein for re-election to the STRS Board for the seats representing retired teachers. The election for these Board seats will begin in April. Additionally, OEA endorsed Carol Correthers for re-election to the Board representing active teachers. Because she was unopposed, no election will be held for the active teacher seat this year.
Jim McGreevy is a retired teacher from Zanesville. He was elected to the STRS Board in 2009 and served as Chair of the Board in 2011-12. Jim is a former member of the OEA Board of Directors. During his tenure on the STRS Board, he has provided thoughtful, prudent leadership.
Bob Stein is a retired teacher from Strongsville. He was elected to the STRS Board in 2009. In addition to 27 years of teaching, Bob has broad investment and business experience. More information is available at http://www.bobstein.us.
OEA’s endorsed candidates are committed to providing:
- Secure and lasting pension benefits
- Access to quality health care
- Experienced and prudent leadership
Current STRS benefit recipients (retirees) should look for their ballot in early April. Votes must be cast by May 6, 2013. There are four candidates for the two seats on the STRS Board. OEA urges retired teachers to vote for Jim McGreevy and Bob Stein.
CCFSSE SURVEY
CSEA would like to remind all faculty that the Community College Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (CCFSSE) begins on April 8, 2013. Data that could be used to identify faculty will not be returned to the College, so CSEA encourages faculty to respond to the survey.
MEETING REMINDER
CSEA will be having a meeting for all faculty on Friday, April 12 during in-service. The meeting will be from 11:00 - Noon in Nestor Hall Auditorium.
Officers
Kevin James, President / x5008
Tom Shanahan, Vice-President / x2623
Eric Neubauer, Secretary / x5698
Michelle Duda, Treasurer / x2607
Ingrid Emch, Parliamentarian / x5824
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Amy Brubaker / x5068 Senior Association Representative, Career & Technical Division
Adam Keller / x2562 Senior Association Representative, Arts & Sciences Division
| Judy Anderson / x5822 Developmental Education |
Beth Barnett / x2593 Hospitality, Massage Therapy and Sports & Exercise Studies |
| Carla Mayers Bletsch / x5235 Allied Health |
Crystal Clark / x5451 Humanities |
| Terry Eisele / x5202 Modern Languages |
Ty Fogle / x5781 Business Programs |
| Lydia Gilmore / x3908 Health, Dental and Veterinary Tech. |
Frankie Hale / x5184 Communication |
| Chuck Kassor / x7108 Construction Sciences |
Li Yang / x5929 Social Sciences |
| Sue Longenbaker / x2430 Biological Sciences |
Phil MacLean / x5308 Justice & Safety |
| Jackie Miller / x2601 Nursing |
Mark Mitchell / x3612 Automotive and Applied Tech. |
| Dianne Fidelibus / x5015 Physical Sciences |
Dr. Antoinette Perkins / x5754 Integrated Media and Technology |
| Deb Dyer / x2477 Human Services |
Dona Reaser / (740)203-8231 Delaware Campus |
| Gilberto Serrano / x3863 Mathematics |
Edgar Velez / x3694 English |
| Rita Rice / x5818 Psychology |
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The Word is produced by the Communications Committee of the Columbus State Education Association. We welcome your comments, news, and insights.