I came across this just now– Susan Martin was interviewed on WEMU this morning (this opens to the mp3 file).
She talked about a bunch of different things, though the thing that I was most struck by was the discussion about the budget for EMU (she basically said that if we don’t get cut, as the Governor has proposed, and if all else goes as expected, EMU ought to be in stable shape for next year) and how that ties in with the upcoming faculty contract negotiations. Martin of course didn’t want to commit to anything one way or the other, but she did point out that EMU recently settled with the unions that represent campus police and the lecturers with a 2% raise and not a pay-cut.
Personally, if that 2% raise also meant no increase in individual contribution to health care, I think I could live with that. My hope is that there are some issues negotiated with this contract that are not about money– some language to straighten out and/or curtail (eliminate?) the BoR ability to deny tenure at the last minute, some rethinking of the definition of office hours, etc., etc. But we’ve got months to worry about all that.
Oh, and she also gave a shout-out to one of my favorite places for lunch anywhere, Beezy’s, and how the Tap Room is a great place to hear live music. I’ve never been to the Tap Room actually (too smoky); I wonder of Martin has?
Anyway, take a listen!
Amen to Beezy’s, best soup I’ve ever had! The Tap Room has great burgers, too. And while I’m here, Bombadills for coffee…
The Tap Room is a gas, great place and a wonderful venue for live music. Back in the day, Charlie Mingus used to play there, or so they say, back when jazz was more popular. Susan Martin knows the town of Ypsilanti better than any other EMU president or provost in 20 years.