Coalition of Graduate Workers

Resolution #1617-06

A Resolution to Establish Archival Policies for Representative Assembly Resolutions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY HERE GATHERED THAT:

WHEREAS, Transparency in the union’s operations is to be sought wherever prudent to support clear communication and accountability; and

WHEREAS, Representatives may desire to remain anonymous due to a hostile administration, faculty members that oppose graduate employee unionization (who, while rare and distinct from our fierce and valued faculty allies, do exist), or their own personal reasons; THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED by a vote of the Representative Assembly here gathered that Representative Assembly resolutions shall be published in a timely manner on the Coalition of Graduate Workers’ Website if and when such resolutions are passed; and be it further

RESOLVED,  Representatives shall retain the right to choose if and when they reveal their membership in the Coalition of Graduate Workers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That passed resolutions submitted by Coordinating Committee members shall be published with their authors named; and be it further

RESOLVED, That passed resolutions submitted by committees and working groups shall be published with authorship ascribed to said group title rather than its individual members; and be it further

RESOLVED, That passed resolutions submitted by individual representatives shall be published with authorship ascribed to “The Representative from [Department].”

SUBMITTED,

Sarah Senff and Eric Scott, Co-Chairs.

APPROVED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY, APRIL 26TH, 2017.

Resolution #1617-05

A Resolution On Setting Forth Election Administration Policies.

Nomination Process:

• A nomination can be submitted electronically, but acceptance of the nomination is required from the nominee at least 24 hours before the election takes place.
• Nominations from the floor can occur on the day of elections, however the nominee needs to be physically present to accept the nomination.

Election Process

• Elections shall be held for one position at a time via a secret ballot in the order listed:

1. Co-Chair
2. Organizing and Grievance Officer
3. Financial Officer
4. Corresponding and Recording Officer
5. Outreach Officer
6. Diversity Officer
7. International Student Affairs Officer

• Nominees for each position must leave the room during the time ballots are being cast and counted for that position.
• For each position, candidates shall be given up to 2 minutes to address the General Assembly in support of their candidacy.  If a candidate is not present at the meeting, they may provide a written statement to be read, a video to be played, or designate a proxy to speak on their behalf.  Said materials or proxy must be communicated to the Elections Committee or meeting chair in advance of the meeting.
• Ballots shall be cast as “one person, one vote,” where each qualified voter casts their vote for one nominee in each position.
• Balloting will be conducted, per the bylaws Article V, Sections 1, by the Elections Committee.
  • Ballots shall be collected and counted by members of the Elections Committee or their designees.
  • Unsuccessful candidates may opt to run for any number of additional positions downballot
  • Two members of the Elections Committee or their designees must count the ballots and concur on the results.
  • If anyone on the Election Committee assigns designees, they shall be communicated to the meeting chair prior to the start of the meeting.
• If there are any uncontested ballots after nominations are concluded, the meeting chair may opt to hold a vote of acclamation instead of by secret ballot.
• In the event that there are no members of the Elections Committee or their designees present, three to five members in good standing from the General Assembly not seeking office, making speeches, or otherwise subject to a conflict of interest will volunteer.
• In the instance of a tie ballot, the meeting chair shall cast the deciding vote.

Appeals Process:

• All appeals must be made to the Election Committee in writing and be received no more than ten business days following the election meeting. The appeals shall include evidence for the basis of the appeal. The Election Committee will make every reasonable effort with all parties to resolve the issue.
• Should this fail, then the Election Committee will forward the appeal to the incumbent co-chairs.

Special Elections Process:

• If a co-chair resigns at any point between their election and the next regularly scheduled election meeting, an announcement that a special election shall be held must be made to the General Assembly at least one week prior to a General Assembly meeting where an election can occur.
  • The Representative Assembly may nominate and elect an interim Co-Chair.
    • The process for this interim position election is as followed in the General Assembly for a general election.
  • The announcement will indicate that during the special election, both nominations and election of the officer(s) will occur within the same meeting.
  • A special election shall be held at the General Assembly meeting specified in the announcement.
    • The meeting at which the special election will be held shall be the only meeting at which nominations shall be taken.
    • The election shall be subject to all other regulations as specified above.
• All other position vacancies shall be appointed, per the bylaws Article IV, Section 4, by the Coordinating Committee.

This policy shall be re-addressed by the Elections Committee in the fall of 2017, and re-presented to the Representative Assembly before the following general election.

SUBMITTED,

The Nominations and Elections Committee.

APPROVED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY, APRIL 26TH, 2017.

Resolution #1617-09

A Resolution to Recognize the Academic Achievements of CGW Members.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY HERE GATHERED THAT:

WHEREAS, Despite the best efforts of many officials within the administration, the University of Missouri remains a distinguished and prestigious institute of higher education; and

WHEREAS, The completion of a graduate degree represents a difficult and commendable accomplishment at the best of times, and a Herculean task amidst the turmoil this campus has experienced over the past two years; and

WHEREAS, In addition to agitating for graduate rights and performing the labor necessary for our University to function, our local association’s members conduct vital research that advances the scholarship in their fields of study; and

WHEREAS, The close of the spring semester is the traditional time of year to celebrate the completion of academic degrees; and

WHEREAS, The bonds of camaraderie and friendship forged through our studies and our struggles lead us to a bittersweet pride in our members’ accomplishments and sadness at their departure; THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, By a vote of the Representative Assembly here gathered that the Coalition of Graduate Workers does commend and congratulate those members who shall graduate in the spring and summer semesters; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Coalition of Graduate Workers shall remember always the standards for courage, dedication, and solidarity set by those members who joined in the local’s earliest days; and be it further

RESOLVED,  That the Coalition of Graduate Workers shall watch with joy and awe as our graduating members go forth from the University of Missouri and continue to shape a better world for all who come after us.

SUBMITTED,

Sarah Senff and Eric Scott, Co-Chairs

Resolution #1617-08

A Resolution Regarding the Potential Layoffs of Ranked Non-Tenure Track Faculty.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY HERE GATHERED THAT:

WHEREAS, On April 3, 2017, the University of Missouri System issued a statement regarding “Systemwide Budget Guidance” in response to the potentially severe cuts to the state’s allocations towards public higher education; and

WHEREAS, Within this guidance, the System Administration warned of possible layoffs for staff and non-tenure track faculty; and

WHEREAS, Non-tenure track faculty lack protections held by tenured faculty for employment loss due to budgetary concerns or program closures, and also lack the severance packages and support from Human Resources held by staff members; and

WHEREAS, Non-tenure track faculty make up 44% of all ranked faculty at the University, with an average length of service equaling nearly 11 years, making their lack of employment protections inexcusable; and

WHEREAS, Non-tenure track faculty, along with adjuncts and staff members, face the same precarious employment situation as graduate student employees, with whom they also share the burden of providing most of the undergraduate teaching responsibilities of the University; and

WHEREAS, Non-tenure track faculty members have been key allies in the struggle for graduate employee rights, having participated in numerous actions held by the Forum on Graduate Rights and the Coalition of Graduate Workers; and

WHEREAS, An injustice to one group of workers on our campus is an injustice to all workers; and

WHEREAS, The MU Faculty Council unanimously approved a Resolution on Potential Layoffs of Non-Tenure Track Faculty on April 13th, 2017, detailing a list of provisions to be made by the administration in the event of layoffs due to budgetary considerations, as well as other measures to better the working conditions of non-tenure track faculty; THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, By a vote of the Representative Assembly here gathered that the Coalition of Graduate Workers does support Faculty Council’s Resolution on Potential Layoffs of Non-tenure Track Faculty without reservation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Coalition of Graduate Workers does consider non-tenure track faculty to be natural and indispensable allies in the struggle for justice to all workers at the University of Missouri; and be it further

RESOLVED,  That should non-tenure track faculty pursue any further action to organize in pursuit of more just compensation and dignified working conditions the Coalition of Graduate Workers will support them to the best of our ability and stand with them in solidarity, as they have stood with us.

SUBMITTED,

Sarah Senff and Eric Scott, Co-Chairs

APPROVED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY, APRIL 26TH, 2017.