Summary of Tentative Agreement

between

UM-Western Faculty Association

and

The Board of Regents of Higher Education

 

Modify the 2001-2003 collective bargaining agreement to read as follows.

 

1. 3.600  ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY

Add the following to paragraph 2:

f. to evaluate students and award grades on the basis of academic performance.

 

2. 4.300  ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Change to read: "The agenda for regular Board of Regents meetings will be posted electronically at least a week prior to the meetings. In addition, minutes of the Regents meetings will be posted electronically."

 

3. 4.400  ADDRESSING THE BOARD

Change to read: "Officers of the Association shall have a right to initiate discussions with the Board on relevant topics, not to include matters that are a subject of negotiations, provided that the Association notifies the Administration and the Commissioner in writing ten (10) working days in advance of any regularly scheduled Board of Regents' meeting. Such notice shall contain a statement regarding the topic."

 

4. 9.430  TENURE AND PROMOTION REVIEW PROCEDURES

Change the first paragraph to read: "Responsibility for submitting an application for tenure and/or promotion rests with the faculty member. Any faculty member quantitatively eligible for tenure and/or promotion and who wishes to apply for the same shall submit a letter of intent to apply for tenure and/or promotion to the VC-AA on or before September 15. Eligibility for tenure and/or promotion shall be determined by October 1. The VC-AA shall forward the letter of intent to apply to the tenure and promotion committee. Tenure and/or promotion application portfolios shall be submitted to the VC-AA on or before December 15 and shall include at least the following: (1) a statement of the teaching, research and/or creative activity, and professional service performed by the applicant both on and off campus during the probationary period; (2) a vita of the applicant's publications and/or creative works; and (3) any other information the applicant deems relevant to his/her professional development, competence or performance. Portfolio contents may be described more fully in applicable unit standards."

Change the second paragraph to read: "The procedures shall permit all interested parties to submit written documentation. The deadline for soliciting such input from interested parties is January 1. If the Tenure and Promotion Committee is to solicit input from current or former students, the deadline for this solicitation is also January 1. If after reviewing the file the committee perceives any weaknesses or negative documentation, the faculty member under tenure and/or promotion review shall be informed of the perceived weaknesses or negative documentation and given the opportunity to provide additional documentation that responds to the perceived weaknesses or negative documentation. The committee shall make a recommendation as to the granting or denial of tenure and/or promotion to the VC-AA on or before February 15 of the academic year and shall forward the tenure and/or promotion review file to the VC-AA at the same time. The VC-AA shall review the file and make a recommendation to the Chancellor. In the event the VC-AA determines the file is incomplete or insufficient, the file may be returned to the tenure and promotion committee for appropriate action."

 

5. 11.200  SELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND CHANCELLOR (new title)

Change to read: "All search and screening committees for the President of The University of Montana-Missoula and the Chancellor of UM-Western shall include faculty representatives. The Board of Regents and the President of The University of Montana retain the prerogative of disapproving the recommendations of the search committee."

 

6. 12.100  FACULTY SALARIES

 

7. 12.124  PROMOTION AND AWARD OF APPROPRIATE TERMINAL DEGREE

 

8. 12.310  GROUP INSURANCE

Change to read as follows: "Effective July 1, 2003, the employer contribution to health insurance shall be increased by $44.00 per month or $528.00 per year. Effective July 1, 2004, the employer contribution to health insurance shall be increased by $50.00 per month or $600.00 per year."

 

9. Add the following new provision as Section 15.950.

 

15.950  INTERIM AMENDMENT

Changes or additions to this agreement during its term may be negotiated only upon mutual agreement of the parties. Any agreed to changes or additions shall be made effective upon any date agreed upon by both parties and shall expire upon the expiration of this agreement. In order for any changes or additions to be effective they must be set down in writing and approved and signed by the union president and the Commissioner.

 

10. 17.200  DURATION CLAUSE, page 31

Change "2001" to "2003" and change "2003" to "2005."

 

11. Add the following new memorandum of understanding.

A partial tuition waiver benefit for dependents will be piloted for bargaining unit employees during FY 2005. Such benefit shall be administered in accordance with Regent policy.

 

12. Add the following new memorandum of understanding.

During the implementation of Experience One, a faculty member may teach more than three (3) independent study courses per academic year with approval of the Labor-Management Committee.

 

13. Change "college" to "university" throughout the agreement.