This issue of Nuts & Bolts is about Friday December 2nd and the possible impact to students, faculty, librarians, and staff.
Why December 2nd?
A few weeks ago, while stuck in traffic I heard a news story that Prince William and Kate Middleton are coming to Boston to present the Earthshot Prize (https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/the-earthshot-prize-boston-2022) . The award partner is the JFK Library. Although the story did not specify the event would be at the library, my thoughts went to past times a dignitary was on our peninsula and the impacts to traffic. President Biden’s September 12th visit resulted in no on campus classes.
For those teaching MWF, the 2nd is the last week and a half of classes. For those teaching a Friday afternoon only class slot, the 2nd is the second to last class. For classes with labs, Friday is a lab day. A change in teaching so late into the semester may result in required materials not being covered.
The FSU along with the CSU, DCU and PSU took the initiative and presented a joint memorandum of agreement to the university administration.
The following is related to classes:
No in-person classes will be held on December 2, 2022. If this agreement is executed by November 2, 2022, faculty will be instructed to make alternative arrangements for any classes scheduled for December 2, 2022, including offering synchronous on-line classes, asynchronous classes, posted assignments, or any other alternative which addresses their course and students’ needs.
We are still planning to meet to follow up on our proposal.
Is the event at the JFK Library?
Until now, the actual event location has been elusive. An article in the November 5th Boston Globe (https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/11/04/metro/finalists-named-earthshot-prize-prince-william-announce-winners-boston-dec-2/ ) states that the award ceremony “will be held at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway”. If this is correct, then we will not be impacted.
So why tell you this?
In case there is an additional Earthshot event on our peninsula, we want you to be aware of the potential for traffic impacts up to a remote day.
More importantly, the union coalition needs to meet with university administration because we need clarity on when and why there can be a shift from in-person to remote classes. Faculty and students can use technology when not in-person but for our colleagues in the CSU and PSU shifting is more complex. A standard needs to be established including keeping snow days.
Friday, November 11th is Veterans Day. To our members and their family members who served, we thank you.
Senior Lecturer II
Political Science Department
For information on the FSU, links to our contract and bargaining updates, and a calendar of events, see the FSU webpage