Monday, December 11, 2017

Review of Draft Online Strategy

MEMORANDUM

Date: December 8, 2017

To: Jim Grabowska, IFO
Isaac Jarhaus, LeadMN
Jerry Jeffries, MAPE
Gary Kloos, MMA
Kevin Lindstrom, MSCF
Faical Rayani, Students United
Tracy Rahim, MSUAASF
Valerie Roberts, AFSCME

From: Ron Anderson, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs

Subject: Draft Online Strategy

Attached is the draft Online Strategy document (as well as an Executive Summary) produced by the Online Workgroup that was formulated in spring 2017 as part of the Charting the Future implementation. The Leadership Council reviewed and endorsed the strategy framework in 2016, and charged the Online Workgroup with fleshing the framework out in 2017. I shared these documents with presidents at Leadership Council earlier this week, and they are now being shared broadly with campuses, bargaining unit leadership, and student associations.

The draft strategy is based on comprehensive input obtained from campuses during the fall of 2016, a review systemwide data and national data, and a review of practices nationally. We have had significant involvement and consultation of a cross section of stakeholders throughout the process, including campus discussions and input, discussion and input gathered from the ASA councils, as well as input solicited from campus CAOs, CSAOs, Deans, and CIOs.

Next Steps

We are asking that all campuses review the draft strategy, engaging campus stakeholders in discussion of its strengths, weaknesses, and alignment with campus strategy. We do not wish to prescribe a specific process for collecting this feedback, but rather encouraged campuses to use their existing campus structures and processes as most appropriate to their local context. We also invite you to review this draft strategy with the members of your bargaining unit or student association and to provide your feedback so that we can strengthen the draft.

We are particularly interested in hearing from you regarding the following questions, though all feedback is welcome:

1. Are there key elements missing from the draft strategy?
2. How might we strengthen the draft strategy?
3. How does the draft strategy align with your campus strategy?
4. Are there specific considerations that Leadership Council should weigh as it considers
adoption and implementation of the strategy?

Please send your feedback to Scott Wojtanowski at scott.wojtanowski@minnstate.edu by March 1,
2018.

During the month of March, the feedback will be reviewed and incorporated as appropriate into a “near final” version of the strategy. We will share this “near final” version of the strategy for final comments during the month of April, with the intent of bringing a final document to the Leadership Council for review and approval in May. We will then present the strategy to the ASA Committee of the Board of Trustees for endorsement at its May or June meeting.

Please join me in thanking all those who worked diligently to conceptualize and bring this strategy to life, including not only the online strategy work group members, but also those who served on the Charting the Future educational technologies implementation team and the original education of the future workgroup. Thanks also to the ASA councils, CIOs, and the students, faculty, staff, and administrators who have provided input and feedback along the way through both formal and informal discussion and feedback, and Scott Wojtanowski and Kim Lynch for their leadership and project management throughout the development of the draft strategy.

REVIEW & COMMENT - Board Policy 1B.3 Sexual Violence Policy

Colleagues,

The proposed amendment to Board Policy 1B.3 Sexual Violence Policy is available for review and comment.  The policy draft is located on the P&P review site at https://mnscu.sharepoint.com/sites/policy/SitePages/Reviews.aspx.  Please log in using your [StarID]@minnstate.edu and your regular password. All feedback and comments may be submitted and viewed through this site.

Any questions on the policy or how to leave a comment can be referred to Gary Hunter at gary.hunter@minnstate.edu or 651-201-1659.

Responses are requested by January 15, 2017.


Sincerely,

Clyde Wilson Pickett, EdD
Chief Diversity Officer
Office of Equity and Inclusion
Minnesota State
30 East 7th Street, St. Paul, MN 55101

o: (651) 201-1472 | www.MinnState.edu

Senate Republican Tax Bill Rewards Wealthy Donors and Corporations While Sticking It to the Middle Class

For Immediate Release
December 2, 2017

Contact:
Marcus Mrowka
202/531-0689
mmrowka@aft.or
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Senate Republican Tax Bill Rewards Wealthy Donors and Corporations While Sticking It to the Middle Class

WASHINGTON—Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten following the vote on the Senate Republican tax bill:

“President Trump and Senate Republicans threw the middle class under the bus today. They are handing huge tax breaks to their wealthy donors and corporations, at a time of record corporate profits and when the Dow has never been higher, while sticking it to the middle class and working folks, whose wages have been stagnant for decades and who crave basic economic security for their families. Trump and the Republicans are going after public education and services at a time when at least 29 states are still spending less on public schools than they did before the great recession. The old Republican cries against deficits, deficits, deficits are gone; passage of this bill makes it clear Republicans now only care about tax breaks for the rich. And nobody should be surprised if they use the massive deficits created by this bill to justify cuts to Medicare and Social Security.

“That’s why Republican senators rammed this bill through as fast as they could without its final text published until minutes before the vote, without hearings and without real debate. They know the more Americans know about this bill, the more unpopular it will be. That’s because no amount of child care credits or other window dressing can disguise this massive giveaway to the wealthy and corporations, paid for by increasing the deficit and tearing down the building blocks of the American dream by raising healthcare costs; starving public schools and services of resources; and raising taxes on teachers, nurses, firefighters, students and those who just want a fair shot at a middle-class life.

“The winners and losers are clear and the lines are drawn. President Trump and Senate Republicans have shut ‘we the people’ out of our government and broken every populist promise they made to working folks, in order to serve the interests of donors and big corporations.”

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Temporary Job Opportunity!

EDUCATION MINNESOTA
POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:                            Field Staff (Job#2017-13)
DEPARTMENT:                                 Field Services - MSCF
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:          Director of Field Services
EMPLOYEE GROUP:                      Professional Staff / TEMPO bargaining unit
LOCATION:                                       St. Paul
HOURS/STATUS:                              Full Time (Temporary) / Exempt
                         

POSITION SUMMARY

To help leaders and members of Educational Support Professional (ESP), P-12 and higher education unions build strong, viable organizations through leadership training and development.  Coordinate and deliver the resources of Education Minnesota, National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT).  Promote membership in, and an ongoing commitment to, Education Minnesota, NEA and AFT.  Assist locals in the development and implementation of programs and activities related to membership growth, professional issues, collective bargaining, member rights, political action, and community partnerships.  Organize the unorganized education employee.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide advice, local and member training, and appropriate professional assistance to members and locals, including the following and other such duties as assigned: 
       Member Promotion – a) assist all locals with a systematic on-going program of membership promotion, retention, and recruitment; b) assist in organizing unorganized education employees; c) identify and develop potential new leaders; d) promote and assist locals with the integration of the Education Minnesota’s strategic goals and objectives in local programs; and e) assist in recruiting participants, on an ongoing basis, for all Education Minnesota workshops, trainings, conferences, as well as Education Minnesota’s Minnesota Educator Academy.
       Collective Bargaining – a) assist all locals in implementing state and local goals; b) coordinate assistance to local negotiators from the Negotiations Department and other areas of Education Minnesota, NEA and AFT; and c) may serve as local negotiator.
       Organizing – a) assist locals to develop member engagement plans; and b) assist locals with identifying issues around which to organize, setting goals and determining strategies and timelines; train locals on organizing and member engagement.
       Member Rights – work to guarantee members their rights through a) training local leaders in the recognition and processing of grievances; b) preparing for and representing members and locals at administrative hearings such as fair share, school board, unit clarifications, and grievance proceedings; and c) counseling members and locals in achieving individual human rights as provided by statute, rules, practice, negotiations or contract.
       Communications – assist in developing a viable internal and external communications program designed to perpetuate a consistent flow of member and local information.
       Legislative and Political Action – a) assist local leaders in developing and implementing an effective local lobbying and political action program; and b) coordinate communication between members and legislators and facilitate the processes needed to work effectively in the political and legislative arena.      
       Education Issues – a) assist all locals in implementing state and local goals; and b) provide training and accurate information to members on issues related to education and professional development.
       Professionalism: Staff Skills for Workplace Success – a) coordinate the day-to-day operations of the office including direction of support staff and the office budget where applicable, after consultation with the appropriate supervisor; b) participate in personal/professional growth and staff development opportunities in consultation with the appropriate supervisor; and c) accept additional assignments from the Director of Field Services and/or designee. 

CONTACTS

Education Minnesota leaders and members                     Education Minnesota staff
Government leaders and agencies                                  General public
Community and civic leaders                              

MACHINES AND/OR TOOLS OPERATED

Personal computer                                  Internet and browser software
Mobile communication device                    Windows-based word processing software        

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

       Experience including, but not limited to; education issues, collective bargaining, political and legislative action, grievance processing, local and member training, member consultation skills and experience in working with elected leaders at all levels is desirable.
       Understanding of organizing principles, labor relations and experience in a union environment.
       Ability to collaborate with others in a team environment.
       Excellent communication skills, including writing, speaking and making presentations.
       Experience in working with confidential and sensitive information.
       Skill in strategic thinking and problem-solving, including the ability to identify and appropriately evaluate alternatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

       Bachelor’s degree.
       Valid driver’s license.
       Reliable transportation.
       Must have an active personal credit card.
       Must be willing to maintain residency within the assignment area.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

       Previous work in a higher education setting.
       Previous union work experience.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:          
This is a temporary position for a duration of up to twelve (12) months.
Willingness to work nights and weekends as needed.  Some travel required. 

EDUCATION MINNESOTA IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following is provided: the position requires use of clear and articulate speech; ability to read and comprehend written and oral directions; ability to effectively deal with tight deadlines; sitting for long periods, stooping, bending, reaching and standing for long periods; repetitive movement with hands and wrists; use of computer keyboard; and carrying materials (up to 5 lb. and occasionally up to 50 lbs.).

POSTING DEADLINE: This position is posted both externally and internally; for best consideration, apply online; include a resume, by 11:59 PM on Monday, December 18, 2017


Friday, December 1, 2017

AFT’s Weingarten and UUP’s Kowal on GOP Higher Education Bill Reauthorization

For Immediate Release
December 1, 2017

Contact:
Andrew Crook
202-393-8637
Cell: 607-280-6603
acrook@aft.org
www.aft.org

AFT’s Weingarten and UUP’s Kowal on GOP Higher Education Bill Reauthorization

WASHINGTON— AFT President Randi Weingarten and United University Professions President Frederick Kowal issued the following statement condemning House Republicans’ plan to reauthorize the Higher Education Act:

“If rogue for-profit colleges and private lenders were to dream up a higher education bill that lines their own pockets at the expense of working- and middle-class students, this would be it. The bill cuts off equitable access to four-year college degrees. It takes a scythe to income-based repayment programs and loan forgiveness for borrowers who serve the public. It trashes basic protections for students, such as the 90-10 rule, which caps the amount for-profit colleges can get from federal financial aid sources, and the gainful employment rule, which requires colleges to produce students who are gainfully employed after graduation. And it ignores all the instances of for-profit fleecing and worthless degrees that led to the gainful employment rule in the first place. The provisions around apprenticeships are window dressing to disguise the bill’s real purpose—to privatize and marketize. And all this is on top of the GOP tax plan that also hurts college students—a clear indication that affordable, publicly resourced college no longer matters to House Republicans.

“This partisan bill, introduced by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), cannot be allowed to stand for all these reasons and more—including because House Democrats were barred from providing input. This is not how we, as a nation, should reauthorize crucial civil rights legislation. We will fight it tooth and nail, and we will work with responsible members of Congress to design a real bill that puts students first, not unaccountable for-profit corporations.”



Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Minnesota State - Global Education Committee

Minnesota State

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL

Committee Charge Document


Committee on Global Education: This is a standing committee of the Academic Affairs Council.

Purpose: Its purpose is to advise the Academic Affairs Council on issues relative to global education initiatives and programs systemwide.

Scope: Global education needs and interests related to teaching and learning, education abroad, globalized curricula, intercampus collaboration, international scholar exchange, world languages, international partnerships, globally connected classrooms, risk management, compliance, and reporting.

Primary Responsibilities:  The primary responsibilities of this committee are to:
1.       Act as a forum to facilitate communication among faculty, staff, students, campus administrators, and system office staff.
2.       Act in an advisory role to the Academic Affairs Council on systemwide global education issues.
3.       Make recommendations to the Academic Affairs Council that result from a process of discovery, planning, adoption and analysis.
4.       Identify resources necessary to carry out global education opportunities and a globalized curriculum.

Operating Guidelines:
1.       The Committee has a chair and a chair-elect. The chairs will be selected from the members of the workgroup by consensus of the members. The chairs will take the lead in identifying issues to be discussed by the group, and help develop the full workgroup agendas.
2.       The Committee charge document, membership list, meeting schedule, agendas, meeting summaries, and other information will be available and posted to ASA Connect.
3.       A liaison from the Committee will attend Council meetings.

Meeting Times and Dates:  The Committee meets on a regular basis during the academic year, with a minimum of one meeting per term and a maximum of one meeting per month. The Committee chair will determine the frequency and schedule of meetings with input from Committee members. The system office will pay travel expenses for faculty and student members as needed. Institutions are expected to pay expenses for administrators.

Committee Member Expectations:  Members are expected to:

1.       Attend and participate in meetings as scheduled.
2.       Represent the positions of their constituents.
3.       Work with all members to build consensus in decisions and recommendations.
4.       Respond objectively to Council requests and direction.
5.       Provide recommendations to the Academic Affairs Council that meet student, institutional, and system needs.
6.       Communicate discussions and recommendations back to their constituents.





Committee Members:  Membership should include at least one member from each of the following groups. The appointing authorities listed will appoint members to the Committee from one up to two- or three-year terms. Other appointees shall be recruited by the co-chairs with assistance from the responsible system office administrator.

1.       University Faculty (IFO)
2.       College Faculty (MSCF)
3.       University Administrative and Service Faculty (MSUAASF)
4.       Professional Staff (MAPE)
5.       University Students (Students United)
6.       College Students (LeadMN)
7.       College Administrators
8.       University Administrators
9.       Academic and Student Affairs Division Staff, System Office


Staff Support:
Kathy Pilugin, 651-201-1466, Kathy.Pilugin@minnstate.edu

Responsible System Administrator: 
Jon K. Dalager, JD, PhD, System Director for Academic Initiatives

Minnesota State - Academic Affairs Council

Minnesota State

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL

Committee Charge Document


Committee on Academic Equity:  This is a standing committee of the Academic Affairs Council.

Purpose:  Its purpose is to advise the Academic Affairs Council on academic priorities relative to eliminating gaps in educational opportunity and achievement systemwide.

Scope:  Disparities in access to educational opportunities, in classroom and other learning experiences, and in achievement and outcomes. The scope includes all experiences relative to teaching and learning, including: academic preparation, instructional and academic program development, faculty and staff professional development, student academic support, and post-graduation academic and work opportunities.

Primary Responsibilities:  The primary responsibilities of this committee are to:
1.       Review data on opportunity and achievement gaps across the system and at individual Minnesota State colleges and universities.
2.       Engage stakeholders to inform focused recommendations on relevant priorities for the work of the council.
3.       Examine retention of faculty, staff, and students from diverse groups and its impact on student achievement.
4.       Make recommendations to the Academic Affairs Council that result from a process of discovery, planning, and analysis. The Council will forward a final set of recommendations to the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs.

Operating Guidelines:
1.       The Committee has two co-chairs. The chairs will be selected from the members of the workgroup by consensus of the members. The chairs will take the lead in identifying issues to be discussed by the group, and help develop the full workgroup agendas.
2.       The Committee charge document, membership list, meeting schedule, agendas, meeting summaries, and other information will be available and posted to ASA Connect.
3.       A liaison from the Committee will attend Council meetings.

Meeting Times and Dates:  The Committee meets on a regular basis during the academic year, with a minimum of one meeting per term and a maximum of one meeting per month, in downtown Saint Paul. The Committee co-chairs will determine the frequency and schedule of meetings with input from Committee members. The system office will pay travel expenses for faculty and student members as needed. Institutions are expected to pay expenses for administrators.

Committee Member Expectations:  Members are expected to:

1.       Attend and participate in meetings as scheduled.
2.       Represent the positions of their constituents.
3.       Work with all members to build consensus in decisions and recommendations.
4.       Respond objectively to Council requests and direction.
5.       Provide recommendations to the Academic Affairs Council that meet student, institutional, and system needs.
6.       Communicate discussions and recommendations back to their constituents.



Committee Members:  Membership should include at least one member from each of the following groups. The appointing authorities listed will appoint members to the Committee from one up to two- or three-year terms. Other appointees shall be recruited by the co-chairs with assistance from the responsible system office administrator.

1.       University Faculty (IFO)
2.       College Faculty (MSCF)
3.       University Administrative and Service Faculty (MSUAASF)
4.       Professional Staff (MAPE)
5.       University Students (Students United)
6.       College Students (LeadMN)
7.       College Administrators
8.       University Administrators
9.       Academic and Student Affairs Division Staff, System Office
10.   Office of Equity and Inclusion Staff, System Office
11.   Community Representatives: up to four members from Minnesota councils or independent organizations that represent the state’s communities of color, women, and people with disabilities.



Staff Support: Kathy Pilugin, 651-201-1466, Kathy.Pilugin@minnstate.edu

Responsible System Administrator: 
Kim Lynch, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Academic and Student Affairs Division
651-201-1655, Kim.Lynch@minnstate.edu