Western Union

The Newsletter of the American Association of University Professors at WCSU

Volume 29, Issue 5                                                        April 2004

 

You Are the Union

Call to the Membership for Willingness to Serve

 

The AAUP's purpose is "to facilitate a more effective cooperation among teachers and research scholars in universities and colleges ... for the promotion of the interests of higher education and research, and in general to increase the usefulness and advance the standards, ideals, and welfare of the profession," as stated in its constitution. 

 

According to one chapter, “since 1915, the AAUP has provided faculty and administrators with guidelines on how to function ethically and effectively in areas ranging from academic freedom and tenure to professional ethics and student rights and freedoms.”

 

AAUP is a volunteer organization.  All of the work that we do is done in our chapters by volunteers.  As one national AAUP volunteer, Jeff Butts, has stated, “that work is done by knowledgeable and committed AAUP leaders and volunteers like you.  So much needs to be done and there’s not enough time available away from our classrooms, laboratories, grading, and scholarship. What’s the answer? More volunteers.”

 

Everyone who takes a leadership role in AAUP cares deeply about the university and academia.  We are committed to making WCSU a better place for faculty and students.  We work to maintain healthy relationships with management and the Senate.  Please consider becoming active in the WCSU-AAUP Chapter.

 

The Nominating Committee announces the opportunity to serve your colleagues, your university, and to advance the cause of higher education, by serving as an AAUP chapter officer.

 

Chapter officers serve two-year terms, beginning June 1, 2004. 

 

The following positions are available.

 

President

Serves as the chief executive officer of the Chapter, appoints all committees except the Executive Committee, serves on the CSU-AAUP Council*, represents the Chapter at state and national AAUP meetings.

 

Vice President

Assumes the duties of the President in the absence of or at the request of the President, performs other functions as assigned by the President.

 

Secretary/Treasurer

Maintains bank account, makes regular financial reports, takes minutes, distributes minutes, and maintains records.

 

Contract Manager

Interprets the Collective Bargaining Agreement to the membership, represents members and departments in contract matters, serves on the CSU-AAUP Council*.

 

Grievance Officer

Upon request of a bargaining unit grievant, counsels, guides, assists, and/or accompanies the grievant though the grievance procedure as outlined in the contract.

 

Council Member

Represents this Chapter on the CSU-AAUP Council*, reports Council proceedings to the Executive Committee and to the membership, brings appropriate Chapter recommendations and decisions to the Council meetings.

 

Council Members serve staggered two-year terms.  Council Member Bert Woodcock, who was elected to his term last year, will continue in his position through 2005.

 

Brief job descriptions of these positions appear in Article IV of our chapter bylaws, available on our web site (/aaup/bylaws)

 

For a more comprehensive understanding of what these positions entail, contact current President Katy Wiss (7-8260 or wissk@wcsu.edu).

 

You may nominate yourself or any other WCSU – AAUP member.  You may nominate as many people as you like. 

 

The members of the Nominating Committee are Jim Munz and Bert Woodcock.

 

Nominations must be received in the AAUP office, White Hall 111, by April 1, 2004.

 

*The CSU-AAUP Council sets policy, negotiation priorities and oversees the contract on the state level.  The Council also works with a state lobbyist who promotes continued excellence in higher education in Connecticut.  The Council meets the 3rd Thursday evening of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the CCSU campus in New Britain. v

 

 

 

Nomination for WCSU – AAUP Officer

 

Name of Nominee: _____________________________________________________

 

Position:           qPresident                   qVice-President          qSecretary-Treasurer 

                           qContract Manager   qGrievance Officer     qCSU-AAUP Council Member

 

Department of Nominee:  ________________________________________________

 

Signature of Nominee: (indicating willingness to serve) ___________________________

 

Name of Person Submitting Nomination:  ___________________________________

 

Return to AAUP office, White Hall 111, by April 1, 2004

 

 

American Association of University Professors

Western Connecticut State University

 

President - Katy Wiss, Communications & Theatre Arts

Vice President - Michele Ganon, Accounting

Grievance Officer - Jim Munz, Philosophy

Contract Manager - Vijay Nair, Library

Secretary/Treasurer - Wally Owoye, Economics

Council Member - Jim Munz, Philosophy

Council Member - Bert Woodcock, Nursing

Academic Freedom Officer - Bill Petkanas, Communications & Theatre Arts

 

Staff (& Newsletter Editor) - Heather Finn

Office Hours: Monday 9:30 – 4:30,

Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 – 1:00

 

White Hall, Room 111

181 White Street, Danbury, CT 06810

(203) 837-9235

 

E-mail aaupw(at)wcsu.edu

Homepage /aaup

 

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Remember:  you are the union.