Faculty appeals FMI

President Gerth received 43 appeals to his decisions regarding the Faculty Merit Increase, sent to the faculty on Nov. 20.

Gerth had made his decisions following recommendations received from departments and deans. The faculty then had 14 days to appeal his decision. Appeals can be made is Gerth’s recommended FMI was less than either the dean or the department made.

The appeals panel choice process is similar to that of choosing jurors for jury duty, according to Fred Baldini, faculty senator.

“There’s this large number of people who show up and the lawyers and everyone ask questions and pick and choose,” he said.

In this case, 5 “jurors” were chosen, along with one alternate, and the rest dismissed.

The appeals panel has a finite sum of money they can add to appealed increases and all appeals will be heard at once, for the sake of continuity.

Faculty also have the right to request an oral hearing in addition to the written appeal.

“The faculty have until Dec. 8 at noon to request an oral presentation,” he said. Baldini doesn’t know at this time how many, if any, there will be.

The sticking point in last year’s dispute was this right to appeal. The contract as originally proposed, left too much authority in the hands of the administration, according to Jeff Lustig, president of CSUS California Faculty Association.

“The administration knows nothing about the faculty,” Lustig said.

Baldini said the panel will begin reviewing the written appeals today. “We hope to finish by Friday,” Baldini said.