|
Care Packages for Students
Donations Needed
AFT Local 1904 will be accepting monetary donations to be used to create care packages that will be distributed to students who live on campus during the winter break. The care packages will be distributed at a pizza party for the students scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 1 p.m. in the Machuga Heights multi-purpose room.
In January 2013 we distributed 130 care packages and provided 30 pizzas to students who were very grateful for our thoughtfulness.
Help us continue our efforts to make campus a welcoming place to the students we serve. The suggested donation amount is $10 per care package. Donations will be collected at the December 11th General Union Meeting.
Can't attend the meeting? Donations will be collected at the Local's office as well. Contact the Local's office to make arrangements to drop off your contribution - ext. 4453 or via email at union@mail.montclair.edu.
|
|
Orientation for Professional Staff
Come and Learn How Representation By, and Membership In, a Union Helps You!
Whether you've worked at Montclair State University for
one week, one month, one year, or 10 years come and learn
what it means to work on a unionized campus as a union employee.
Come on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 12:00 p.m., Student Center Ballroom A, and learn what advantages there are to collective strength, as well as the work place rights you have by being in a union. Lunch will be provided.
To reserve a seat, RSVP via email to: union@mail.montclair.edu
|
|
New Jersey Well
State of New Jersey Wellness Program
NJWELL is the new incentive based wellness program offered to actively employed members of the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and School Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP). Eligible members and their covered spouses or partnership who meet the program's Wellness Goals each year receive financial rewards in the form of a Visa gift card. To learn more about this program, visit the New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits website and click on NJWELL under "Hot Topics".
Questions? Come to the February 12th General Union Meeting (2:30 p.m., SC 419) and meet Doug Martucci, NJWELL Coordinator for the NJ Division of Pension and Benefits, or email the staff of the program at NJWELL@treas.state.nj.us.
|
|
2014 Early Career Research Grant Program
For Untenured Faculty
Sponsor: Upjohn Institute
Synopsis: These grants are intended to provide resources for junior faculty (untenured and within six years of having earned a PhD) to carry out policy-related research on labor market issues. The Institute encourages research proposals on all issues related to labor markets and public workforce policy.
Type: Full Proposal
Due Date: January 31, 2014.
If you are interested in applying, contact the Office of Research and Sponsored at ext. 4128.
|
|
Faculty Promotion Workshop
Five Key Questions Answered
More than 20 faculty of various ranks from across the university met on December 5th in Cohen Lounge for the Faculty Promotion Workshop. Faculty Coordinator Vanessa Domine along with President Rich Wolfson and Vice President for Negotiations Ken Brook engaged in a 2-hour guided tour of the nuances of applying for promotion.
Five key questions framed the session: 1) Are you eligible? 2) What is the timeline? 3) Have you read the local contract? 4) What about Faculty Roles and Responsibilities at MSU? and 5) What are the expectations, documentation and procedures? If you missed the workshop, the supplemental materials can be downloaded from the Local 1904 website. Because of the individuality of each promotion application, we recommend that you contact a union officer if you have specific questions or concerns.
|
|
BKMUW Scholarship Applications Available
Encourage your undergraduate students to apply
 | | 2013 BKMUW Scholarship Recipients |
Scholarships are available through the Catherine A. Becker, James P.Keenen III, Joseph T. Moore, Anita E. Uhia, and Connie Waller (BKMUW) Scholarship Endowment Fund. Members should encourage their students to apply.
The BKMUW Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in 1997. AFT Local 1904's scholarship provides financial support to full-time undergraduate students at Montclair State University who demonstrate a significant economic need. For additional information, please visit the Local's website and click on Scholarships tab.
The deadline to apply for the $500 scholarships is Friday, March 7, 2014 at 3 p.m. Students who wish to be considered for this award are required to complete an application, write an essay, and get two letters of recommendation from full-dues paying members of the Local.
Questions? Contact Linda Turano, Office Manager for AFT Local 1904 at 973-655-4453.
|
|
Performance-Based Promotions:
For Professional Staff
On October 30th, Catherine Bongo sent out the annual email sharing the application and procedures for applying for a performance-based promotion (PBP). Please note the deadline by which you must apply is January 17, 2014. This application goes directly to the president of the university for consideration after being signed by your immediate supervisor.
We realize that completing the paperwork takes time and that at the rate awards have been made, it seems like a wasted effort. However, it is never a waste to showcase your contributions to the university.
FY15 TIMELINE FOR PERFORMANCE-BASED PROMOTION
Application Due to the President: January 17, 2014
Notification to the Professional Staff Member: April 7, 2014
Effective Date of Performance-Based Promotion: July 1, 2014
|
|
Current Events
Links to Recent Articles of Interest
- Charter Schools in Newark "are not taking their fair share of students facing special hurdles, including extreme poverty or learning disabilities." Read more in The Star-Ledger.
- Gov. Christie backs off from his support of the "Dream Act." Read more about it on NJSpotlight.com.
- "The End of the Public University?" Read Jeff Selingo's post on LinkedIn.
- Listen to this podcast of NPR's "This American Life" and find out why Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is dangerous.
- Tenure denied to 2/3 of the candidates at Kean University. Read more about it in The Star-Ledger.
- "Poverty is Rampant in New Jersey." Read Raymond Castro's opinion piece to find out more.
- Do you have to turn over your passwords to your social media accounts to your employer or prospective employer? To find out the answer to that question, click here.
|
|
 |
 | Richard Wolfson, President
AFT Local 1904 |
President's Corner
My "Corner" this month is a plea for those of you that can, to come to the Board of Trustees meeting this Thursday, December 12th. On the Board's agenda is the approval of multi-year contracts for professional staff and the recommendation of tenure for the faculty class of 2014. These are career milestones and worth a celebration. Come and experience the joy.
Also on the agenda is an action item: Referral of detenuring of a tenured full professor to the Office of Administrative Law for a full hearing. This is an unprecedented action that has never been taken by any of our Boards of Trustees since our founding in 1908. The Local is vigorously defending the charges with all the experience and resources at its disposal. But it is essential for the Board to see that the Montclair faculty and staff believe these actions egregious and some other remedy should be considered.
The meeting starts at 4:30 and is typically over by 5:00. If enough of us are there, in the University Hall Conference Center, the Board members will notice.
I do hope to see you there.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
General Union Meetings:
Time: 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Where: SC 419
When:
Dec. 11, 2013
Feb. 12, 2014
Mar. 19, 2014
Apr. 9, 2014
May 7, 2014
Time: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Where: SC 419
When: Mon., Dec. 16th
Student Pizza Party:
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: Machuga Hgts. MPR
When: Tues., Jan. 7th
Professional Staff Orientation:
Time: 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Where: SC Ballroom A
When: Wed., Jan. 15th
|
|
Scholarships Available
The Essex-West Hudson Labor Council's scholarship award for high school seniors is now accepting applications. Eligible applicants must be accepted at an accredited college or post-high school education program.
Children of full dues paying members AFT Local 1904 who meet the above stated criteria are eligible to apply. The application deadline is April 17, 2014. For additional information, please click here.
|
|
AFTNJ
AFT Local 1904 is affiliated with American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ), which is the state federation of AF T locals in New Jersey. AFTNJ represents 30,000 Pre-Kindergarten to 12 and higher education workers throughout the state.
Want to know more about AFTNJ? Sign up for their news feed by clicking here.
|
|
