Dear Faculty and Librarians,
The FSU is you the members, and we need you to inform us when a policy change occurs. To those who reached out about your on-line summer teaching, we thank you. Please read the Digital Content Accessibility section as it impacts all of us. We will remain diligent specifically about what is required to meet federal regulations and its impact on our working conditions.
Digital Content Accessibility Regulations and You
Background
In April 2024, the US Department of Justice updated regulations to the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requiring by April 26, 2026, that all web content and mobile apps provided by state (i.e., public higher education) and local government are accessible to those with disabilities. The regulations set specific technical standards that must be met. What does this mean to you? All content placed on Canvas must meet accessibility standards.
As you can imagine, the process to implement the new regulation is large and complex. Each of us will need to review all our class materials and learn how to make them accessible. Fully meeting the deadline for UMB and other government entities was not going to happen. As a result, last week the Department of Justice extended the deadline to April 2027.
What does this mean for us? We have a reprieve until Spring 2027 materials. Yet, ensuring accessibly is still required and something that will take place over the next few months. The FSU’s monthly Labor Management meeting with Provost Berger is April 28 and this is our first agenda item. We will provide you with an update on our discussion.
Yes, we have heard from you about certification
Some of you have contacted us about being told you need to be ‘certified’ to teach your summer class, even if you have taught on-line for many semesters. After some digging, we realized what you were being told is due to the regulation change and what was the April 26th implementation date.
There is no certification process required to convert your materials to teach this summer.
Anti-Racism Grant Recipient Activities (information submitted by grant recipients)
The U, Me, Books Event is Monday, April 27th from 12-2 on the first floor of the campus center!
This event will feature a free book giveaway for UMB community members with kids in their lives. I’ll be giving away diverse books for readers ages 0-12+, along with book activity ideas, diverse reading lists, and other treats. The giveaway is open to all students and UMB staff and faculty and hopes to recognize and support all our UMB students who are caregivers or have kids in their lives! See the attached flyer for more details.
Non-Tenure Track Promotion: Notification Deadline
Promotion to Senior Lecturer and ranks above requires you to inform your chair of your intent to apply for promotion. The date to submit an email to your chair is Wednesday, May 13th. Although you indicate your intention to apply for promotion in May 2026, your promotion materials are not submitted until January 2027.
A more detailed email will be sent to non-tenure track faculty including eligibility criteria.
Group Insurance Commission (GIC): Action needed to get GLP-1 medications covered
State Representative Marjorie Decker is sponsoring an amendment to the proposed state budget which would maintain GLP-1 medication coverage for weight management. The GIC Commission voted to eliminate coverage for weight management.
Please tell your state legislator to support the Decker amendment along with other budget amendments aimed at funding public education. Click on this link https://actionnetwork.org/letters/write-to-your-representative-about-the-fy2027-house-budget/
Educators over Billionaires! Join labor and MTA members as we gather at 4PM in Kendall Square and then march to Boston Common. The Boston Common rally begins at 5PM. For more information and a list of activities go to https://www.mass50501.org/events/2026-mayday To learn more about May Day and MTA, go to https://www.massteacher.org/resource-library/may-day
MTA Benefits: Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl, June 1st and 2nd
At some point the weather will get warm and when that happens, what is better than ice cream. Even better is unlimited ice cream and raising money for Dana Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund. MTA members receive a $3 ticket discount. Log into MTA Benefits and click on Giveaways & Tickets.
Sincerely,
Caroline Coscia
FSU President
Senior Lecturer II
Political Science Department