Student Government Passes Resolution in Solidarity with AFSCME Employee Union

During their October 22, 2020 meeting, the Frostburg State University Student Government Association unanimously passed a resolution in solidarity with the AFSCME Local 239 employee union. Co-sponsored by SGA President Noah DeMichele, Vice President Jessica Thayer, Student Affairs Chair Delanie Blubaugh, and Senator Ismerai Reyes, the resolution reads:

RESOLUTION CONCERNING FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY’S SALARY REDUCTION PLAN AND THE LAYOFFS OF FROSTBURG
STATE EMPLOYEES

WHEREAS: Frostburg State University administration has indicated their plan to layoff twelve AFSCME employees as part of the University’s salary reduction plan; and,
WHEREAS: These employees were notified of their layoff on October 21, 2020, which will go into effect in January 2021, at the end of a 90-day period; and,
WHEREAS: Frostburg State University is the only university in the University System of Maryland (USM) to resort to layoffs as part of their salary reduction plan; and,
WHEREAS: The staff at Frostburg State University have been critical in providing students the opportunity to return to, and stay, on-campus; and,
WHEREAS: Frostburg State University has a fund balance of 20 million dollars to be used in emergency scenarios; and,
WHEREAS: USM Chancellor Jay Perman and/or the USM Board of Regents must authorize the use of funds in the fund balance; and,
WHEREAS: The State of Maryland is still in a State of Emergency while a global pandemic continues to rage.

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Senate will take into consideration and subsequently vote to approve the following statements:
The Student Government Association asks the administration of Frostburg State University to reconsider the current salary reduction plan and resume negotiations with the AFSCME Local 239. The Senate strongly urges Senate Resolution 7-2020 the administration of Frostburg State University to request the authorization from Chancellor Perman to utilize a portion of the fund balance in order to avoid the layoffs of Frostburg State employees.

MANDATES: Dr. Ronald Nowaczyk, President
Mr. Leon Wyden, Vice President of Administration and Finance

SPONSORS: Noah DeMichele, Student Body President
Jessica Thayer, Student Body Vice President
Delanie Blubaugh, Student Affairs Chair
Ismerai Reyes, On-Campus Senator