Central Florida Future, Vol. 09 No. 25, April 1, 1977

              Florida
Technological
University
Full r a
Vol.9
Friday, April 1, 1977
No. 25
Legislature to resolve
Regents, faculty deadlock
By LISA FERGUSON
Assistant Editor
Bargaining talks between the Board of Regents (BOR) and
the United Faculty of Florida (UFF) came to a stalemate
recently when the two parties failed to agree on recommendations submitted by special master Leroy Collins.
The union request, the board's offer and Collins' report
will be sent to the legislature for resolution as required by
collective bargaining laws.
Collins' report, based on February hearings, gave his
recommendations on the unsettled issues of salaries and
fringe benefits for faculty and professional employes of the
nine state universities.
The main point of disagreement between the bargainers
was Collins' suggested distribution of the overall slary increase. In his report, Collins recommended a salarv boost
consisting of a 5.5 per cent across-the-board salary hike and
a 3'35 per cent increas<^in BOR discretionary salary
money, requested an ovelYdl 16 per cent increase and the
BOR offered a 6.5 per cent total increase.
The UFF agreed with Collins' suggestion. The BOR accepted the total salary increase Collins recommended but held
to a 3 per cent across-the-board increase and a 5.85 increase
in the discretionary fund.
The board said, "We believe that a greater portion of the
(Continued on page 18)
E.T.York, Jr.
Bargaining
Timetable
Oct. 20. 1976
Jan. 5. 1977
Jan. 26. 1977
Jan. 27. 1977
Jan. 31.1977
Feh. 17.1977
Mar. 7: 1977
Mar. 12. 1977
Mar. 22, 1977
Mar. 23. 1977
Mar. 24. 1977
UFF presents initial salary
proposals
Talks in Gainesville.
BOR refuses to present
counter offer
BOR unveils counter-offer
of $1 million
BOR increases counter-offer
to $7 million
UFF declares impasse
Special master hearings begin with Gov. Collins
Gov. Collins issues recommendations on unsettled
issues concerning salary increases and fringe benefits
Members of UFF endorse
Collins' report "as a basis for
a negotiated settlement"
Negotiations reopen
BOR offers $9 million, two-
thirds of which is to be used
for discretionary funds; UFF
holds to Collins' suggestion
of 5.5 across-the-board salary hikes and 3.35 per cent
increase in discretionary
funds
Mediator Nate Kazin is present at bargaining table,
states that BOR has no
further offer to make
■«»»' "r^**'^
.   '
THE LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER or maybe just a break between classes.
Housing and meal costs
may be reduced by BOR
In an effort to increase summer
enrollment, a proposal to reduce summer quarter housing rental rates and
the cost of th eight and 14 meal plans-
will be presejiuxl by FTU to the Board
of Regents (BOR) at its April 4
meeting.
The proposed reductions, coupled
with the cut in tuition for this summer
at FTU can result in savings of up to
$100 for students taking advantage of
the offer, according to Dr. W. Rex
Brown, vice president for Student Alfa i rs.
FTU will request the regular $200
fee for a double room be cut to $165,
and the single room rate of $220 be cut
to $ 185 during the summer.
Proposed changes in the meal plan
would reduce the eight meal plan from
$208 to $187.20 for the summer, and
the 14 meal plan from $229.32 to
$218.40.
Earlier this year the Board
authorized a reduction in the tuition
rates by $6 per quarter hour. Lower
level classes which are regularly $15
will be $9 per hour during the summer,
and upper level classes which are
regularly $16.50 will cost $10.50.
"This is just an experiment for the
summer," Brown said. "We're taking a
gamble. If people don't attend this
summer, we'll be losing monev."
"This is one of those rare oppor-
(Continued on page 18)
Askew proposes $41.7 miliion increase
for State University System in 1977-78
In his legislative budget request for this year Gov. Reubin
Askew has recommended a general revenue funding increase
of $41.7 million for the State University System (SUS).
Askew's budget request allows for a 6.35 per cent increase
in faculty and administrative and professional employes'
salaries effective Sept. 1, 1977. Salary increases are currently being negotiated by the Board of Regents (BOR) and the
United Faculty of Florida. According to BOR Budget Director Joe Stafford, the money allotted in Askew's recommendation is consistent with the Board's stance in the dispute.
The Educational and General budget, which includes the
majority of funds available for instructional activities in the
SUS, would receive an increase of $30 million from Askew's
budget. The $30 million represents a 12 per cent increase
over this past year's expenditure levels.
Askew alloted $5.6 million for a "program improvement"
package. Of this $5.6 million, Stafford said $1 million is for
additional operating expenses such as supplies for various
academic departments; $1.9 million is for additional
equipment and instructional tools such as library books; and
$2.4 million is for turning over positions filled by graduate
students to ranked faculty, and for developing a special
merit award for qualified faculty. According to a legislative
report published by the BOR, Askew has provided the SUS
with flexibility to deviate from these specific recommendations as long as detailed plans are substituted in their
place.
The "big unknown," Stafford said, is how much tax
revenue will be available this year. "It comes down to how
the taxpayers feel about improving the quality of
education,".he said.
According to FTU budget officer Jim Smith, there is no
way of bringing Askew's recommendation down to the individual university level yet. "We're all under this lump
sum," he said, "but there's no way yet to tell how much FTU
will get."
Follow the antics of three
couples and their "adulterous
interactions" in the play "The
Three Cuckolds" being presented by the FTU Theatre. See
story, page 16.
,Basie Educational Opportunity Grant increase could
mean an extra $100 per quarter for students receiving aid
under the program. See story
on page 5.
Academic competition and the
quest for good grades may
cause students unusual stress as
well as stunting intellectual
development. Additional
details on page 4.