1. President Howard Bunsis called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. in Tower Room, McKenny Union. Mark Higbee moved (Ken Rusiniak second) approval of the January 20 chapter minutes. Motion carried.

2. DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS: Howard reported that the Executive Committee has consulted with the chapter’s attorney re the suit against the Ann Arbor Public Schools challenging the schools’ continuing to provide domestic partner benefits to its employees. The suit is only at a procedural phase, so we’ve been advised to wait until it is at a substantive phase before filing an amicus brief.

3. HEALTH AND SAFETY: Howard has collected faculty responses about workplace conditions. VP Jim Vick has told AAUP to go through the Health & Safety Committee and has dismissed many complaints as “comfort issues.” Mike Reed (History and Philosophy) noted that a new thermostat has been installed in 417 Pray-Harrold. Howard will meet with a person from Physical Plant. Temporary improvements in Sherzer were reported. Board of Regents Faculty Affairs Committee should be a forum for frank exchange with the Board.

4. TASK FORCES: (a) Health Care: The administration wants faculty members to buy their prescription drugs via mail order or Snow Health Center; these are matters for collective bargaining. Administration is trying to pit different campus unions against each other. Faculty at the chapter meeting opposed reliance on Snow, owing to privacy concerns and limited operating hours. Administration says accept our limitations on access and we’ll provide a wellness program. We believe they are free to offer wellness initiatives without conditions. (b) Continuing Education: Lynn Nybell reported that this task force is at a snail’s pace and is unlikely to secure significant change. Outside consultants asked EMU what is the mission of CE? Administration replied “to extend the university” but could not explain further. It either does not know or does not want to say. (c) University Budget Committee: We declined to participate but we are attending the Academic Affairs Budget Committee. Mike Homel reported on this morning’s meeting.

5. GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS: Mike reported that VP University Relations Juanita Reid and her assistant Kathy Tinney had met with the Executive Committee to discusss the budget process in Lansing. Executive Committee also hosted newly elected State Rep. Pam Byrnes for a breakfast meeting.

6. CHAPTER OFFICE: The previous Executive Committee spent $43,000 on the current Faculty House, 1715 Washtenaw, without an option to buy. We are considering moving to a site closer to campus.

7. OUTSOURCING: The administration is studying eliminating unionized jobs on campus by hiring private firm(s) for publication, dining, and dormitory services. Mark Higbee has FOIA’d consultant contracts but the administration has been slow to respond.

8. GRIEVANCE REPORT: There have been three tenure denials and two denials of reappointment. We have been trying to restrain the Graduate Dean’s Academic Integrity Committee from reckless judgments and actions. We are providing faculty members help with promotion/tenure applications. Other areas include implementation of Family and Medical Leave Act. Susan Moeller is stepping down as Grievance Officer at the end of April. We welcome applicants. Mark Higbee compiled records showing that EMU-AAUP has helped 120 faculty members, nearly one-fifth of the total, between January 2004 and the present. We have not lost a grievance during this time.

9. TREASURER’S REPORT: Susan Moeller distributed a budget summary covering September 1, 2004 to February 21, 2005. Legal costs have risen, while dues income has fallen, owing to the dues decrease from 1% to .9%. The chapter could evaluate an additional dues cut only after the 2006 negotiations are completed. Our cash reserves are appropriate. We need to have reserves to cover legal costs, arbitrations, possible office relocation, and negotiations.

10. There was no old or new business.

11. The meeting adjourned at 4:33 p.m.

Submitted by Mike Homel, EMU-AAUP Chapter Secretary, with the assistance of Lynn Tilton