The Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges

President’s Report: August 15, 2011

Steven E. Cohen

The following list highlights the primary issues that have arisen, and those important activities that have transpired, since our July 11, 2011 Delegate Assembly/EBoard meeting:

1- SEBAC

SEBAC voting on the second Tentative Agreement continues. While individual unit tallies cannot be released until August 18th, the 4C’s second ratification vote resulted in more ballots cast and a higher percentage of YES votes cast than did the vote on the initial Tentative Agreement.

2- The Governor’s Proposal to Create a Board of Regents

4C’s leaders met for a second time with Michael Meotti, interim president of the new BoR. His focus continues to be keeping resources targeted on teaching/serving students and not on management.

3- A Labor Board Case concerning the Minority Fellow Program

This case, brought by the AFT/AFSCME/4C’s coalition vs. the Board of Trustees, has been settled. The coalition objected to the BOT running a program in 2011-12 with union contract dollars while a hiring freeze and layoffs loomed, plus when other uses for the funds, such as retraining for current employees at risk of layoff, made more logical sense. The BOT insisted on proceeding without coalition consent, even thought the funds are jointly administered. In the end, the BOT relented prior to the Labor Board having to hear the case. The Minority Fellow Program is suspended for the 2011-12 year.

4- Donations

a)  $100 for a 4C’s sponsor ad for the MxCC Foundation $cholarship 5k run/walk/health fair.

b)  $125 for a 4C’s ad in the 2011 Hartford Police Union magazine on “gang violence.” (Proceeds benefit officers in Iraq, provide scholarships to city students studying criminal justice, assist with city student athletic programs, benefit neighborhood clean-up projects, and more.)

c)  $125 for a 4C’s Hole Sign for the 2011 CALAHE (CT Association of Latinos in Higher Education) Scholars Golf Classic to support student scholarships.