ALUW Spring Quarter Meeting, May 30, 2002

The meeting was called to order by ALUW President John Holmes at 3:35, Thursday, May 30, 2002. A brief business meeting preceded the program.

Spring Quarter Business Meeting

ALUW election results were announced. John Holmes thanked departing Board members (Louise Richards, Randy Hertzler, and Diana Brooking) and welcomed new members: Dottie Smith (Vice President/President Elect), Linda Whang (Secretary), and Alan Grosenheider (Junior Trustee).

Randy Hertzler gave the Treasurer's report. There is a total of $4,325.08 in the ALUW checking and savings accounts. We have an operating budget total of $2,745.47 and a legislative budget total of $1,750.61.

Program

Librarians as UW Employees: Past, Present and Future

John Holmes introduced the program topic. In light of recent activities related to the State budget and collective bargaining rights for University employee groups, the ALUW Executive Board believes it in the best interest of the Association to begin discussing the financial and employment status of its membership. The ALUW Board prepared background information on these topics. The purpose of the meeting was to present some of this information and to begin the discussion. The ALUW Board needs to know about the concerns and wishes of the membership, but the Spring Quarter Meeting did not include any decision making.

John also gave some background about the groups involved: ALUW, the Libraries administration, the Faculty Senate, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), the Professional Staff Organization (PSO), the UW administration, the Washington State Legislature, and the Governor.

Doreen Harwood provided a brief review of the literature on collective bargaining and librarians. Diana Brooking reported on faculty status for librarians at Evergreen, WSU, and Eastern Washington University. Andy Johnson gave some historical background about the faculty status for librarians issue at the UW. Doreen Harwood summarized some points from the literature about faculty status for librarians in general. Randy Hertzler described the PSA at the UW, and John Holmes reported on meetings he has had with the PSA and the AAUP and the chair of the Faculty Senate. Joe Kiegel explained the language of the recently passed Collective Bargaining Law for faculty.

The audience participated, asking questions during and after the reports. There was a lively discussion of faculty status, unions, and campus governance issues. The conversation will be continued...

Submitted by Diana Brooking, May 31, 2002