March 2023 Newsletter

Dear faculty,

This month we’re standing with our Vermont State University colleagues who are trying so hard to reverse the rash, absurd decision to close all campuses’ libraries.

Last year, we came very close to getting a bill through the Vermont legislature that would have brought democratic representation to the boards of trustees of our state’s public universities, with voting faculty, students, and staff.

So it’s hard not to think: if the bill had passed, and faculty were on the board of Vermont State University, this debacle could have been prevented, or slowed, or at the very least, communicated thoughtfully and transparently.

Citizens across the state are voicing their outrage at this decision — see vtdigger.org’s opinion pages. Ellie wrote a commentary in VTDigger- here’s a clip:

The decision to eliminate physical libraries from VSU campuses lacks an understanding of its wider implications because it lacks an understanding of how the digital resources themselves function and are accessed. It undoubtedly also misapprehends the cost of such an initiative. Perhaps more importantly, it demonstrates a level of disregard for the critical functions of libraries and disrespect for the needs and expectations of its own academic community.

Here’s what we can do now:

• Sign AFT’s petition

• Follow @VSCFacultyFed on social media to stay aware of calls to action

• Support our 2023 legislative effort to pass a bill that would seat two voting faculty members on the UVM Board of Trustees

• Remind any non-member UVM colleagues of the importance, benefits, and collective power that come with of joining their union

In solidarity,

Ellie and Katlyn

Ellie Miller, President | Katlyn Morris, Executive Director

Democratizing the board of trustees

We have bill sponsors and bill numbers in both the House and Senate! We are so pleased and proud to have the support of Representatives Cina of Burlington, Anthony of Barre City, Bluemle of Burlington, Cordes of Lincoln, Headrick of Burlington, Howard of Rutland City, Logan of Burlington, McCann of Montpelier, McGill of Bridport, Mulvaney-Stanak of Burlington, Small of Winooski, Stebbins of Burlington, Surprenant of Barnard, Templeman of Brownington, and Troiano of Stannard, and Senators Perchlik of Washington County, Hardy of Addison County, Chittenden and Vyhovsky of Chittenden County (note that co-sponsors Senator Thomas Chittenden and Senator Tanya Vyhovsky are both UA members!!).

UVM’s Student Government Association recently voted unanimously to support faculty efforts to democratize the board at UVM. The resolution is excellent, and we appreciate the solidarity from UVM students; check it out here.

Our fellow faculty union at Vermont State University has recently decided to rejoin the effort, since all three VSU unions voted no confidence in their leadership. Stronger together! We will request an amendment when the bill has its first hearing.

The end goal of solidarity is to create a fair and just system in which we all can thrive. The process takes flexibility and persistence. In this case, UA was able to bring back the bill to democratize the Board of Trustees. Our counterparts in other stakeholder unions didn’t originally have the time to prioritize the bill this year, but are able to join us now. All of this is good: a win for workers today moves us closer to a win for all workers tomorrow.

Please stay tuned for calls to action, including contacting legislators in support of our bill.

Upcoming events

Delegates Assembly meeting on Zoom. Open to all UA members.
Friday March 10, 1:30-3:00pm.
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Second UA workload task force meeting on Zoom. Open to all UA members.
Friday March 31, 2pm. Pre-register for the Zoom meeting here.
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Centering Antiracism, Social Justice, and Inclusion in Union Work: United Academics presents a workshop with Charles Toombs, Professor of Africana Studies at San Diego State University; President of the California Faculty Association (CFA).
Workshop details here. Tuesday April 4, 3pm. In person.
Email info@unitedacademics.org to register.
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UA Spring Members Meeting on Zoom.
Tuesday April 18, 3:30-5:30. Pre-register for the Zoom meeting here.

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And just announced- mark your calendar!

The AAUP Summer Institute will be held at UVM this July 6-9! This is a fantastic opportunity for UA members and leaders to participate in union trainings and workshops, and to connect with higher ed unions from around the country.

AFT Legislative Day of Action

United Academics and fellow members of AFT Vermont, including UVM Staff United, Vermont State Colleges United Professionals (staff), Vermont State Colleges Faculty Federation, CCV United Faculty, and Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals convened at the Statehouse on Wednesday, Feb. 22 to meet with legislators, hear updates on our legislative priorities, testify, and stand together for democracy and workers’ rights. It was an energizing day — everyone there felt the power of making change together!

Grievance update

As you know, faculty have all been asked to complete UVM’s new, intrusive conflict of interest disclosure form.

Our CBA states that UVM’s 2014 conflict of interest policy applies, and our bargaining teams specifically addressed this in 2020 bargaining. Then in 2021, the administration made changes to the 2014 policy, and did not bargain them. UA grieved this violation in late 2021, and we have continued to work through the lengthy grievance process.

Grievance work happens behind the scenes. It can take years. In many cases, information must be kept confidential to protect the privacy of individuals involved, so we cannot always share the extent of our work upholding the Collective Bargaining Agreement. In this case, UA officers past and present are engaged in the case, working with our attorney and with our Contract Administration Committee. All this work is for the purpose of protecting the rights of our members and fellow faculty.

Please visit our page to learn more about the CAC, our work, the grievance process, and your rights and responsibilities under our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Contact us: contract@unitedacademics.org

UA scholarship applications due April 14

Application deadline: April 14, 2023 | Winners announced mid-May

Each year, United Academics awards several scholarships to students who demonstrate an active commitment to community service, especially in pursuit of social, economic, or environmental justice.

Please encourage your students to apply!

Visit unitedacademics.org/scholarships for the online application form.

Scholarships Descriptions Flyer

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