Frequently Asked Questions

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="043a45a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Massachusetts Society of Professors</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Massachusetts Society of Professors"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="about.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MSP 101"><U>MSP 101</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Member Benefits"><U>Member Benefits</U></A>   |   <A HREF="news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MSP News Publications"><U>MSP News & Publications</U></A>   |   <A HREF="legaction.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Legislative News Outreach"><U>Legislative News & Outreach</U></A>   |   <A HREF="contracts.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MSP Contract Policies"><U>MSP Contract & Policies</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Current Bargaining 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<bR> <div> <A HREF="#i_missed_the_union_s_spring_tenure" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I>I Missed the Union's</I></U></A><A HREF="#i_missed_the_union_s_spring_tenure" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I> Tenure Workshop for Junior Faculty.  Is There Anything I Should Know?</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#what_are_the_raises_i_can_expect_from" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I>What are the Raises I Can Expect from the 2004-2007 Contract?</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#how_is_merit_to_be_calculated_" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I>How Is Merit To Be Calculated?</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#how_do_i_become_a_member_" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I>How Do I Become A Member?</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#i_m_coming_up_for_periodic_multi_year" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I>I'm Coming Up For Periodic Multi-Year Review.  What Is The Process Like?</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#i_heard_from_a_colleague_of_mine_that" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I>I Heard From A Colleague Of Mine That He Got Money As A Result Of Going Through PMYR.  How Does That Work?</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#what_s_this_i_hear_about_parental" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I>What's This I Hear About </I></U></A><A HREF="#what_s_this_i_hear_about_parental" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I>"Parental Leave" for a New Parent?</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#can_i_extend_my_tenure_decision_year" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I>Can I Extend My Tenure Decision Year (TDY)?</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#how_do_our_dental_benefits_work_" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I>Ho</I></U></A><A HREF="#how_do_our_dental_benefits_work_" TITLE="Frequently Asked Questions"><U><I>w Do Our Dental Benefits Work?</I></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>                                     </B><B> <A NAME="salary_floors"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>SALARY FLOORS</B></FONT></div> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="6" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="342" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#339966 HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> Lecturer</div> <div> Lecturer II</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#339966><NOBR><div> $41,955</div> <div> $48,880</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#3366FF><NOBR><div> Librarian I</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#3366FF><NOBR><div> $40,730</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#339966 HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Instructor</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#339966><NOBR><div> $45,646</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#3366FF><NOBR><div> Librarian II</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#3366FF><NOBR><div> $46,464</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#339966 HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="74"><div> Assistant Professor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#339966><NOBR><div> $53,370</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#3366FF><NOBR><div> Librarian III</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#3366FF><NOBR><div> $53,370</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#339966 HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="74"><div> Associate Professor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#339966><NOBR><div> $62,497</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#3366FF><NOBR><div> Librarian IV</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#3366FF><NOBR><div> $62,497</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#339966 HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Professor</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#339966><NOBR><div> $77,946</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#3366FF><NOBR><div> Librarian V</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#3366FF><NOBR><div> $72,328</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>What are the Current </B><B>Salary Floors?</B></div> <div> Our current contract calls for an increase in the salary floors effective 1-1-07.  You can find the current rates in the table to the left and also listed in the MSP contract under article 26.14.   If you have questions about whether you are being paid the correct salary in relation to the salary floors, please contact the MSP office immediately at 545-2206.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="where_can_i_get_a_copy_of_the_current"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Where Can I Get A Copy of the Current Contract?</B></div> <div> The current 2004-2007 contract is available online at <A HREF="http://www.umass.edu/msp/contracts.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.umass.edu/msp/contracts.htm"><U>http://www.umass.edu/msp/contracts.htm</U></A>.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="i_missed_the_union_s_spring_tenure"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>I Missed the Union's Tenure Workshop for Junior Faculty Members.  Is There Anything I Should Know?</B></div> <div> You are free at any time to stop in the MSP office and pick up the materials that were given out at our workshops.  Furthermore, the MSP staff and President are always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the personnel process. </div> <bR> <div> Three items stressed at the workshop:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Check in with the union early in the process if you encounter or foresee any difficulty with your review.  Our help is most valuable before a negative or mixed review is received, and more valuable in the middle of a process than at the end.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Keep abreast of the various review deadlines and ask for a copy of your review decision from the Department Personnel Committee and the Chair if you do not immediately receive one.  Remember that you are free to respond to comments in your review at every level and to supplement and to “visit” your tenure file at any time.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Read your contract (Article 7).  It has a description of what needs to be in your basic file.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="what_are_the_raises_i_can_expect_from"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>What are the Raises I Can Expect from the 2004-2007 Contract?</B></div> <bR> <div>                     <B>EFFECTIVE DATES</B>                                                              <B> RAISE</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="6" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="629" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#993300" BORDERCOLORDARK="#993300" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FF9966 HEIGHT= 52 ><NOBR><div> <B>Effective April 3, 2005</B></div> <div> * Initial payment reflected in 6-2-06 paycheck</div> <div> * Retro paid in 6/16/06 paycheck</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#FF9966><NOBR><div> <B>2% Across-the-Board plus 1% merit pool</B></div> <div> (Merit covers work performed in AY 2002-2003)</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FF9966 HEIGHT= 52 ><NOBR><div> <B>Effective January 1, 2006</B></div> <div> * Initial payment reflected in 6-2-06 paycheck</div> <div> * Retro paid in 6/16/06 paycheck</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#FF9966><NOBR><div> <B>2% Across-the-Board plus 1% merit pool</B></div> <div> (Merit covers work performed in AY 2003-2004)</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FF9966 HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="291"><div> <B>Effective January 1, 2007</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#FF9966><NOBR><div> <B>2% Across-the-Board plus 1% merit pool</B></div> <div> (Merit covers work performed in AY 2004-2005)</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="how_is_merit_to_be_calculated_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>How Is Merit To Be Calculated?</B></div> <div> Now that the 2004-2007 MSP Contract has been funded, merit decisions are underway.  The Contract provides for the establishment of two separate 1% merit pools for bargaining unit faculty and librarians.  The first which is effective on April 3, 2005 covers work performed during AY 2002-2003 and the second which is effective January 1, 2006 covers work performed during AY 2003-2004.</div> <bR> <div> On Tuesday, April 11th, the administration mailed out detailed instructions and printouts regarding the calculation of merit.  That document can be found <A HREF="id97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Merit Memo"><U>HERE</U></A> </div> <bR> <div> Chairs who have questions about the calculations should contact Susan Pearson in the Provost's office (545-2554).  Members who have questions can contact MSP at 545-2206 or <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:msp@external.umass.edu" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:msp@external.umass.edu"><U><U>msp@external.umass.edu</U></U></A></FONT>.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="how_do_i_become_a_member_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>How Do I Become A Member?</B></div> <div> When you arrived on campus, you probably received a bill from the union.  Everyone in the bargaining unit (all faculty and librarians) is required to either become a full-fledged member of the union or to pay an agency service fee for the union's services.  The difference in<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#C0C0C0" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>benefits<B> </B>between the two options, more than pays for the cost differential.  If you do not know whether you are currently an agency fee payer or a member, please call Ferd Wulkan at the union office (577-4121).  Membership dues can be paid over ten months through payroll deduction.  This year dues are $734.00 per year, or $73.40 per month via payroll deduction (Sept. - June). Agency fee payers are NOT covered by MTA's $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage, cannot participate in union elections nor serve in union offices, and do not qualify to receive any MTA benefits.  More than 80% of the faculty have elected to become full members rather than fee payers.  If nothing else, becoming a member is a courtesy to your colleagues, who must bear the economic burden for those who do not pay their full share:  in staff time and postage alone, collection of fee-payer and non-payer dues cost our office over $15,000 a year.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="i_m_coming_up_for_periodic_multi_year"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>I'm Coming Up For Periodic Multi-Year Review.  What Is The Process Like?</B></div> <div> The PYMR process on this campus has been designed as developmental, not punitive.  The MSP has developed a 20-page packet covering everything you need to know.  Please call Lori Reardon at 545-2206 and she'll be happy to send you a copy.  In the one sentence version:  You write a statement (of 1,000 to 2,000 words) reviewing the last six years and discussing your plans for the next few years; your department chair adds your AFRs for the last six years and your teaching evaluations, and it then all gets reviewed by the department personnel committee, department chair, an elected committee at the dean's level, and the dean and provost.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="i_heard_from_a_colleague_of_mine_that"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>I Heard From A Colleague Of Mine That He Got Money As A Result Of Going Through PMYR.  How Does That Work?</B></div> <div> You have two opportunities to get money.  First, there are what are called <U>College Development Funds</U> which you can get as a direct result of your review.  On this campus, the administration allocates $150,000 per year from which each college/school receives an amount proportionate to the number of PMYR candidates they have.  If you need resources for professional development, money to fund research or other projects, equipment, etc. you need to outline in your PMYR statement what you want and why you want it.  The average award is around $2500 so be sure to request the funding you need.</div> <bR> <div> The second source of funding is through the <U>Center for Teaching</U>.  After you complete your review, you will receive a personal letter from the Center inviting you to submit proposals for funds to increase your teaching effectiveness and enhance student learning.  Awards of up to $3,000 are made.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="what_s_this_i_hear_about_parental"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><B>What'sThis I Hear About "Parental Leave" for a New Parent?</B></div> <div> The current union contract provides a one-semester paid parental leave, upon request, for:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">full-time tenured and tenure track faculty members</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">full-time, state-funded non-tenure track faculty members with at least 6 years of full-time service who have appointments that make it possible to fulfill the return obligation</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">and librarians with at least four months of service</div> <bR> <div> who become biological or adoptive parents. This is available to men as well as women.  The leave can be taken during the semester of the birth or adoption, or an adjacent semester; substitute arrangements need administrative approval. The faculty member or librarian must return for one year of service after the leave. This leave is charged to an individual's sick leave and if necessary the sick leave bank. In the current negotiations for a new contract, the MSP is proposing that the benefit for full-time, state-funded non-tenure track faculty be improved upon by reducing the number of years' service needed to become eligible.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Parental Leave Application"><U>PARENTAL LEAVE APPLICATION</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="can_i_extend_my_tenure_decision_year"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Can I Extend My Tenure Decision Year (TDY)?</B></div> <div> For new parents, a one-year extension is a contractual right (Article 27.14). A faculty member (male or female) who becomes a biological or adoptive parent may delay for one year the tenure decision date. S/he must exercise the choice by written notice to the department chair no later than six months after the birth or adoption.  If a parental leave is taken, the extension must be requested no later than two months after the conclusion of the leave.  You may ask for further extensions for later births or adoptions, but allowance is discretionary.  There may be good reasons why your tenure decision year should be delayed in other circumstances, such as leaves of absence, prior credit toward tenure, illness, family medical needs, and other issues that have impacted one's ability to fulfill the probationary period for tenure.  The rules are in the Redbook, section 6.2(e).  These cases need to be presented to the administration for consideration, as early as possible prior to the TDY.  The MSP can be helpful in advising faculty members about such requests. All assistance remains confidential.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="how_do_our_dental_benefits_work_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>How Do Our Dental Benefits Work?</B></div> <div> Our dental insurance, provided through a trust fund negotiated in the union contract, is funded entirely by the University.  The University's FTE contribution increased to $12 when the current contract was funded.</div> <div> Once a person is in the bargaining unit, s/he is automatically enrolled in the dental plan after a 6 month waiting period.  A bargaining unit member's family members can also be enrolled in the plan at no cost by filling out a form found at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.mackbenefits.com/MTA_Dental_Enrollment_Card.pdf" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.mackbenefits.com/MTA_Dental_E"><U>http://www.mackbenefits.com/MTA_Dental_Enrollment_Card.pdf</U></A></FONT>.  The dental plan is Met Life Dental. To use the plan, a person goes to her/his dentist, tells them that the dental plan is Met Life Dental and that our <B>group number is MTA93994</B>.  [Met Life Dental does not issue cards.] The individual's number is her/his Social Security Number.  </div> <div> Minimal as our benefits are, MetLife is losing money on us and will be increasing its premiums significantly next spring, which will put a severe strain on the Trust Fund.  This may necessitate reducing benefits, member contributions to the premiums, or some sort of multi-tier benefits structure.  MSP member <B>Melissa Woodard</B> sits on the Board of the Trust and will be representing MSP members' interests as any changes are discussed, but given the financial shortfall most options have problems.</div> <div> The plan can be used with any dentist who will accept it, but Met Life Dental has a list of “Preferred Providers” who have negotiated lower fees and whose services are reimbursed at a higher rate.  To see this list or to find a dentist, go to the Met Life web site <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.metlife.com/dental" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.metlife.com/dental"><U>www.metlife.com/dental</U></A></FONT> or call them at 1-800-942-0854.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>