Tag: Miami University

  • Why Miami Suspended the Administrator Evaluation Committee

    Why Miami Suspended the Administrator Evaluation Committee

    With the announcement of the new process for evaluating administrators, the fog surrounding the suspension of the Administrator Evaluation Committee has finally cleared. Management’s new process makes clear that the reason given for suspending the old process — that it risks direct dealing — was never the actual reason. (“Direct dealing” is when a boss negotiates directly with an individual employee on wages or working…

  • “Miami University is in very strong financial condition.”

    “Miami University is in very strong financial condition.”

    Bunsis explained that Miami can easily afford FAM’s pay proposals without touching reserves. Faculty salaries are well below Miami-identified peer institutions at all campuses.

  • FAM-L Bargaining, Day 6

    Today’s negotiation was brief due to technical issues management’s negotiating team was having, but we continued to make progress even in the short time at the table today.  Our team introduced a counter proposal for Grievance and Arbitration, which is the enforcement mechanism for the contract. Management’s original proposal attempted to limit us; we aim…

  • FAM-T Bargaining, Day 9

    When Miami has faculty donating plasma to make ends meet, something is wrong. Today at the faculty negotiation table we presented a pay and compensation proposal that fights for your wallet and works to ensure a liveable wage for all our members. Other news below on management’s communications about post-tenure review, grievance and arbitration, and…

  • 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…