This past Friday TEN of you spoke up—including FIVE GAs from the School of Dance in a thought and powerful joint statement—and told the University administration exactly why their constantly-changing COVID protocols are inadequate at keeping us and our students safe.
The University presented their counter-proposal, which of course did NOT include required health and safety protocols like masking, regular COVID tests, vaccination, etc. It DID affirm our right require a student leave class if they are not marked “clear” by the SAFE system—a small win, but a significant one for GAs who have been struggling with what to do with students who show up to class even though they are not “clear” to attend class.
We then presented our own counter-proposal, which included:
REQUIRING students choose SOME health and safety protocol to follow (including masking, vaccinations, regular COVID testing, temperature checks+daily wellness checks, &c.)
EMPOWERING GAs to excuse a student from class if they do not comply with any of the required health and safety protocols.
Allowing INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS or programs to set higher standards of health and safety protocols that match their higher-risk (such as dance, theater, sports management, &c.)
We are actually down to the last 3 articles or so we’re fighting over with the University, which is incredible progress considering we started at 22 articles. Of course, these 3 articles are the most vital of all.
Bargaining Committee Today
If you have concerns with our counter proposal, have stories or experiences that you feel are relevant to forming our next proposal, &c, PLEASE come to bargaining committee today! We on the bargaining team are most certainly not omniscient, and the only way we will be able to accommodate your unique needs, experiences, and situations is if you SHARE your story with us.
We also, as always, need people to help with research, data management, social media, copyrighting, and website design!
Remember: United we bargain, divided we beg!
In Solidarity,
Vincenza Antonetta Berardo Chief Negotiator, UFF-FSU-GAU