Author: Cathy Wagner

  • The truth about Miami’s post-tenure review proposal

    The truth about Miami’s post-tenure review proposal

    “If the administration thinks post-tenure review that can result in termination is a good idea for Miami University, then let them SAY IT!“ Statement at today’s negotiations by Sam Morris, co-chair of the FAM-T negotiating team, regarding the University’s proposal on Faculty Evaluations:  The University presented a new proposal on Faculty Evaluations which sets forth…

  • FAM-L Bargaining, December 15

    FAM-L Bargaining, December 15

    Your united FAM-L/FAM-T negotiating team worked many long hours this semester to lay the groundwork for a strong foundational contract. In the new year, once all proposals have been exchanged and as membership continues to grow, we’ll start to see the fruits of their labor. To set the table for productive negotiations this spring, before…

  • Speeches from Faculty Assembly

    Speeches from Faculty Assembly

    What a turnout yesterday for Faculty Assembly! 102 Benton was filled and the mood was buoyant. If you were there yesterday, talk to your colleagues about what you heard and about the powerful feeling of being a faculty united. And make sure to vote. Ballots will be distributed by email soon. Over a dozen tenured, librarian,…

  • Theresa Kulbaga: “Shutting down this committee sends a clear signal”

    Theresa Kulbaga: “Shutting down this committee sends a clear signal”

    “[You’re using] collective bargaining as an excuse to shut down a longstanding shared governance committee that seeks faculty feedback about our administrators. Shutting down opportunities to collaborate with faculty, to listen to our concerns and our ideas. It’s disappointing. It makes me sad. And it doesn’t have to be that way.” 

  • Kate Rousmaniere: “I support FAM, particularly in the face of what I see as declining faculty input”

    Kate Rousmaniere: “I support FAM, particularly in the face of what I see as declining faculty input”

    I served on the Committee for the Evaluation of Administrators for five years between 2003 + 2008.  At some point I co-chaired the Committee with Professor John Heyda from Middletown campus. The Committee was elected by our peers in Faculty Assembly—representing each academic division and the libraries.   As Department Chair during those years, I…

  • Shashi Lalvani: “Top 10 Reasons Why We Should Evaluate Administrators”

    Shashi Lalvani: “Top 10 Reasons Why We Should Evaluate Administrators”

    The administration’s “rationale” for terminating the process of evaluating administrators is as follows: Since FAM represents faculty for negotiations related to wages and employment, and therefore, Miami may not engage in soliciting individual faculty input. This has no legal, rational, or moral standing. As you will note, it says “may not engage..,” but does not…

  • Ron Becker: Ending feedback on admin shows “serious fragility of leadership”

    Ron Becker: Ending feedback on admin shows “serious fragility of leadership”

    I am currently serving on two committees that are grappling with how parts of Miami might need to change–perhaps profoundly—in response to the emerging conditions in higher ed and at Miami. I am convinced that those challenges are real and serious. And to be frank, I am worried.  This is not a manufactured crisis. The…

  • Cathy Wagner: “A strong organization is made stronger when it seeks constructive feedback from all its stakeholders.”

    Cathy Wagner: “A strong organization is made stronger when it seeks constructive feedback from all its stakeholders.”

    Hello colleagues, I’m Cathy Wagner, professor from the English Department. I am a three-term member of Senate, currently serving as elected member at large, and a former elected member of the All-Faculty Committee for Evaluation of Administrators. I’m also a proud organizer for the Faculty Alliance of Miami.  First, I know you all have many…

  • “This is not right”: Ginny Boehme at Faculty Assembly

    “This is not right”: Ginny Boehme at Faculty Assembly

    As mentioned by Cathy, one of the reasons (out of the many) that we have heard as to why this committee was shut down was the concern over direct dealing. To be clear, it’s a ridiculous argument. But it’s one that admin is sticking with so let’s explore it a bit more. At the bargaining…