Faculty Staff Union

Representing Faculty Members and Librarians at UMass Boston Since 1976

Nuts & Bolts: Weekly Updates from Our Union

Congratulations to…
We would like to extend a huge congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Chancellor’s Awards, FSU members Steve Ackerman for Distinguished Teaching, Neil Bruss for Distinguished Service, and Werner Kunz and Sharon Lamb for Distinguished Scholarship. Your exemplary contributions enrich our students, our university, and the scientific community, and we are so proud to have you among our ranks. The awards ceremony and public lectures by the recipients will be on Monday, Nov 9, from 4-6pm in Campus Center Alumni Lounge. Please consider attending to show your support for our fantastic colleagues.
Three Benefits You May Not Know About
The FSU contract is a product of many years of collective action and hard-fought negotiations with the administration. Chances are you already know about the travel fund for TT faculty and librarians, the professional development funds for NTT faculty, and the paid semester of family leave benefit. So, we want to take a moment to mention a few of the lesser-known benefits for our members.

  • Tuition Benefit: Did you know our contract (Article 27.10 and 27.11) includes a benefit allowing you to take free courses at all UMass campuses (excluding the medical and law schools) if you are at least a half-time employee? There are also tuition waiver benefits for spouses and dependents, as well as waivers for other Massachusetts state colleges and universities. Details here and here.
  • Research-Intensive Semester: All pre-tenure faculty are guaranteed two course releases per Article 15.7 of the contract that may be used in any semester prior to receiving tenure. You may bundle them together in one semester to create a “research-intensive semester” or use them separately. If you use them together, you may, with permission of your Department Chair, be released from service activities as well, giving you a true pre-tenure sabbatical to work on your research.
  • Sick Leave Bank: Per Article 27.3.3 of the contract, the Sick Leave Bank is available for any bona fide illness or disability after members have exhausted their individual sick time. Members are entitled to 90 days of sick leave from the bank, with the possibility of extensions. The bank may also be utilized for sick leave for care of family members. Please contact fsu@umb.edu with any questions or for assistance with accessing this bank.
A Few More Updates
  • Next Monday is the sixth annual Black Lives Matter Day event on campus. The theme is “What’s the Word? Black Boston: Building a Foundation for Social Change.” Learn more about the event here where you can RSVP or sign up to be a volunteer.
  • Take action by joining higher education union members across the state on Friday, November 20, for a big rally at the State House. Let the Governor know we need higher salaries. Sign up here to let the MTA know you’ll be going.
  • Join your fellow MTA members at the first annual LGBTQ+ Conference, on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Boston Marriott Burlington. Register to attend.
  • Thinking about buying a home? Learn about the process with a free webinar hosted by the MTA on Thursday, Nov 5 at 4pm. Reserve your spot here.