The University of Maine at Augusta, which has campuses in Augusta and Bangor and controls the nine University College sites around the state, has clarified its reimbursement policies for courses taught via videoconferencing.

UMA uses a brand of videoconferencing called Polycom. In such courses, a teacher in, say, Augusta can see and hear students in various other classrooms around the state. Under UMA’s revised policy, all courses offered through videoconference must include a minimum of four sites.

Dear Colleagues,

I wanted to share two links to keep you updated and informed. The first link, "Student Speaks Out on C.C."  shows a student's sentiments on C.C., testing and changes in education:  

http://www.realfarmacy.com/this-high-school-students-speech-on-the-problems-of-modern-education-will-leave-you-mind-blown/   

Deadline: January 6, 2014

Part-Time Lecturers have a unique opportunity to be heard by governmental leaders through this new eForum:

http://democrats.edworkforce.house.gov/eforum

An excerpt from the website:

"The House Committee on Education and the Workforce Democrats are interested in learning more about the working conditions of the over one million contingent faculty and instructors at U.S. institutions of higher education, including part-time adjunct professors and graduate teaching assistants, and how those working conditions may impact students’ education."

Best known as the person who returned order and safety to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, retired Army Lt. General Russel Honoré will deliver the keynote address at the 50th annual Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ convention in Alexandria on Monday, November 25.

Miller Announces eForum on Adjunct Faculty in Higher Education

Members of the MVCC Professional Association and the MVCC Adjunct and Part-time Association attended a statewide gathering of educators in Cooperstown, November 8-10.  Front:  Paul Halko, Kevin Siembab, and Jerry Brown.  Rear:  Justin Rahn, Norma Chrisman, Patti Antanavige, Maryanne Taverne, Marie Czarnecki, Mike Henningsen, Kay Chester, and Alison Doughtie.

Community college educators from all around New York State gathered in Cooperstown November 8-10 for a weekend of learning and networking organized by NYSUT.  Among those were representatives of our local, President Kay Chester and Negotiating Team members Jerry Brown and Maryanne Taverne.  In addition to attending a number of informative workshops and seminars, they met with MVCC colleagues from the Professional Association as well as colleagues from other adjunct and part-time locals around the state.

President Kay Chester and Negotiating Team member Maryanne Taverne accepted our new union's charter at the NYSUT Regional Leadership Conference in Alexandria Bay on October 5.  The conference was attended by 170 NYSUT leaders, who joined unanimously in a standing ovation of welcome and congratulations for our new local.