May 2011

Use The Bus Or Pass

Submitted by Average Student on May 3, 2011 - 7:52am
We have an opportunity to us The Bus from thebusproject.org, my question is...Who will ride the bus if we set up an event? The Bus costs about $400 per day. In order to be able to fund using the bus we will need help. If we were to "sell" tickets on The Bus, Who will ride? We don't have a cost per ticket yet, but as you can tell the more riders the cheaper the tickets. We can also use this time with the bus to rally and make know that the students, THE CONSUMER, can and will take action to be heard.
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May 2nd mediation report

Submitted by Jenni on May 3, 2011 - 11:33pm

From the Faculty Association:

After 12 hours of mediation, we are no closer to settling the contract. But we have learned a number of important things about the Board's positions and mentality.

1) This is NOT about money.

We made a package proposal late in the evening that met the total dollar amount that the Board requested earlier in the day. In economic issues, we met their requests on extra and summer teach, salary, and medical. All together these CUTS would have amounted to $3.1 million.

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Wednesday night's budget meeting

Submitted by Jenni on May 5, 2011 - 5:56pm

Wednesday night hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and community members turned out to the MHCC Budget Committee meeting.

First, we met outside the College Theater on the steps, hearing a few quick words from Oregon Education Association representatives and support from union members from around the area and state. These representatives included those from area K-12 education associations as well as those from trade and labor unions and other community colleges.

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So what does "non-instructional" mean?

Submitted by Jenni on May 5, 2011 - 8:07pm

So today the school releases another document about the negotiations with the faculty (PDF). It is filled with a lot of phrases that are just downright disrespectful and not beneficial to a negotiation process, such as suggesting that faculty has intentionally drawn out this process.

One part of it is discussing the non-economic areas the two sides disagree on. It states:

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Students join together to combat potential strike

05/06/2011
Read the story at its original location here

With a possible strike nearing in the faculty contract dispute, student groups around campus have banded together as Quality Education Advocates (QEA) in a coalition to support MHCC instructors.

By Mike Mata
The Advocate

With a possible strike nearing in the faculty contract dispute, student groups around campus have banded together as Quality Education Advocates (QEA) in a coalition to support MHCC instructors.

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Faculty and staff voice frustrations at budget hearing

05/06/2011
Read the story at its original location here

The MHCC budget committee meeting Wednesday was turned into a labor negotiations sounding post as the district board, residing as the budget committee, was addressed by frustrated and concerned students, community members and faculty.

By Jen Ashenberner
The Advocate

The MHCC budget committee meeting Wednesday was turned into a labor negotiations sounding post as the district board, residing as the budget committee, was addressed by frustrated and concerned students, community members and faculty.

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Some progress in negotiations

05/06/2011
Read the story at its original location here

Although progress during Monday's mediation session seemed to bring the full-time faculty and the administration closer together, the sides agreed there was still much work to be done as they entered another contract mediation session Thursday.

By Jordan Tichenor
The Advocate

Although progress during Monday's mediation session seemed to bring the full-time faculty and the administration closer together, the sides agreed there was still much work to be done as they entered another contract mediation session Thursday.

The outcome of the Thursday session was not available as of press time.

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Editorial: Take as prescribed....

05/06/2011
Read the story at its original location here

Two steps forward, one step back. The administration and the full-time faculty have finally been able to agree on something, but we are still only a few days away from a faculty strike.

Two steps forward, one step back. The administration and the full-time faculty have finally been able to agree on something, but we are still only a few days away from a faculty strike.

Much more work is needed in order to see an end to the contract negotiation drama.

We applaud both sides for making significant movement toward each other Monday. However, here is our prescription for MHCC to get back to normalcy.

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Faculty member speaks: Why I am willing to strike

05/06/2011
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I have taught at MHCC for 34 years, more than all but three other faculty members. I am at the top of the pay scale, make a fair living, and have relatively few years before I retire. I am willing to risk everything and strike on May 12. I could easily retire and not worry about the college; life would be much easier.

By Ted Scheinman
Economics Instructor

I have taught at MHCC for 34 years, more than all but three other faculty members. I am at the top of the pay scale, make a fair living, and have relatively few years before I retire. I am willing to risk everything and strike on May 12. I could easily retire and not worry about the college; life would be much easier.

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A different method for student protest

05/06/2011
Read the story at its original location here

We – the students – have been deeply affected by the breakdown of faculty contract negotiations. I love my teachers, and I am willing to stand up for them and their rights as the Board of Education does everything in their power to alienate the faculty and the students by hiring a lawyer to negotiate for them, having opaque budget plans, etc., all the while giving vague assurances that they're doing "what's best for the students."

By Marshall Nystrom
MHCC Student

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