March 30th to April 3rd
Wednesday, April 1st UDC Pizza and Cookies 11:30AM to 12:30PM
Stop by the University Dining Club for some pizza (bring your own beverage) and relax, chat with colleagues and meet new colleagues. Pick up some FSU swag – stickers, buttons and t-shirts.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, April 16th, 11AM-1PM FSU Annual Meeting
Stay tuned for more information
Dear Faculty and Librarians,
April begins Wednesday and with it hopes for some warmer weather. The daffodils are starting to appear. Soon we will be able to sit outside on the quad and enjoy some sun and daffodils.
FSU Annual Meeting, April 16th 11AM to 1PM (NOTE: open to FSU dues paying members in good standing only)
The annual meeting agenda will be sent no later than April 2nd. Items include an update of the past year’s activities, introducing your new Executive Committee members, upcoming MTA activities, adopting our annual budget and providing us with input on next year’s activities.
Parking and Transportation: Bargaining Session Update
This is a brief update on the March 24th bargaining sessions. The parking coalition will provide you with more details shortly.
The Coalition (CSU, DCU, FSU and PSU) presented a counter proposal pushing back on:
- Daily Rate: UMB increased to $18. We said no increase
- 30 Use Pass: UMB said no. We pushed back. This is essential for faculty, librarians, and staff
- MBTA subsidy: UMB agreed to a 20% subsidy. We said it needs to be 50%.
- HP Parking: We proposed a reduced rate.
- Evening Rate: We proposed it begins at 3:30PM.
- Accelerator Cap: We pushed back on what is included in the Parking and Transportation department’s expenses. Specifically, the debt assigned to the West Garage. We believe the debt amount needs to be capped at $2,500,000. The assigned debt is in the $4,500,000 range.
Please take a moment to sign the parking petition. Tell UMB administration parking needs to be affordable and flexible to accommodate schedules.
Promotion to Professor
April 21st is the deadline to submit written notification to your chairperson of your intent to submit for promotion to Professor in AY 26-27 (see the Master Academic Calendar).
Know Your Contract: NTT and Librarian Professional Development Funds
Article 26.6.1(a).1 of the contract provides NTT and Librarians who are 50% or greater with Professional Development Funds. Reimbursement must be submitted by June 20, 2026.
Check your email for your specific award amount. The email was sent to those eligible on November 6, 2025, from Jeanmarie Spinetti with a subject line of professional development funds
This week: Anti-Racism Grant Recipient Activities (information supplied by recipient)
An Anti-Racism Reading Resistance, Friday, April 3rd at 4:30PM in ISC 3 -3300
Our last meeting before Spring Break featured a lively and illuminating discussion on Nikole Hannah-Jones’ The 1619 Project. It was a fantastic session, and we’d love to keep that momentum going for our next gathering.
Our Next Selection: We will be diving into Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye—a powerhouse of a novel that has long been at the center of national conversations regarding its content and impact.
Join the Discussion
- Sign Up: Register Here or scan the QR code on the attached flyer.
- Perks: The first 30 people to sign up will receive a free copy of the novel!
- Bonus: Refreshments will be provided at the meeting.
Massachusetts State Employee Retirement System (MSERS)
Our pension system contains $120 billion in reserves, and this reserve is overseen by the Pension Reserves Investment Management Board (PRIM). Concerns have been raised about PRIM’s investments (paying high fees up to $500 million) and our inability to obtain information on operations. MTA formed a task force to investigate member concerns. Task force members are recommending that we vote for Lenore Palladino, an economist at UMass Amherst.
A ballot has been mailed to your address. Please vote. You may do so with the paper ballot or online (details on mailed ballot).
MTA Benefits: Boston by Foot
Warmer weather is a great time to get outdoors and explore Boston. Boston by Foot has a variety of walking tours that meet your interests. Log into your MTA Benefits account and select Giveaways and Tickets.
Sincerely,
Caroline Coscia
FSU President
Senior Lecturer II
Political Science Department