What's Really Happening

Columbus State Education Association Newsletter of April 5, 2006

COLLEGE SERVICE OPPORTUNITY FOR FACULTY

It's scholarship application time. In addition to informing students about the availability of scholarships (the Development Foundation has over 200 this year), faculty can provide college service by reviewing and making recommendations on scholarship applications.

Although we appreciate that many faculty continue to work to the rule, CSEA endorses this activity as a student-centered service. It doesn't require any meetings, either.

Last year, Financial Aid received over 1,200 applications, so your work will be an important contribution to mission and learning support. The submission deadline this year is May 1, and readers will review applications between May 15 and June 2.

Faculty's close interactions with students make us ideally suited to helping both students and the College in this way. If you are interested, please contact Scholarship Coordinator Suzanne VonAhn at svonahn@cscc.edu And tell her CSEA sent you.

JOIN THE CSEA TEAM TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

We encourage CSEA members and friends to come run (or walk) with us on Saturday, May 20, at 9 AM at Nationwide Plaza during Columbus' Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

The Komen Race for the Cure is the largest series of fitness walk/runs in the world. The Race for the Cure not only encourages breast cancer awareness but uses its funds to help in research and development of breast cancer treatments. CSEA is proud to be a participant in this year's event.

OR

Of course you are more than welcome to pledge and not run/walk OR collect additional pledges to help bust breast cancer. Again, please turn these and everything into Lisa, Kris, or Kevin by April 20.

VOTE RAMSER AND MEUSER FOR STRS BOARD

Decisions made by the State Teachers Retirement System in the next few years will affect your financial security and costs in retirement. Changes in health care coverage or the pension formula could make the difference between a comfortable retirement and a struggle to keep up with costs.

CSEA urges you to vote for CONNI RAMSER and MARK MEUSER for the STRS Board. These candidates will represent the needs and interests of retired teachers. You may have received cards about them in the mail already. Both support legislation to fund health care benefits for retirees and oppose pension benefit reductions.

We urge you to look in your mail at home for this mailing, which will have the STRS logo and labeling indicating that ballot information is enclosed. You can vote for up to 2 candidates for the open seats.

Voting is easy with 3 options to make your participation simple. You can vote (1) by mail using the printed ballot, (2) by phone, using a toll-free number included with the mailed ballot, or (3) by Internet, via the address provided with your ballot (you'll need the PIN number included with the mailed ballot). Voting must be completed by May 1.

The lack of teachers on the STRS Board omits a critical voice in discussions about how to maintain the integrity of our pension plan. Vote for CONNI RAMSER and MARK MEUSER and return your ballot as soon as possible.

What's Really Happening is produced by the Communications Committee of the Columbus State Education Association. We welcome your comments, news, and insights.

Steve Abbott, President / x5096
Karl Rieppel, Vice President / x2500
Amy Brubaker, Secretary and Association Representative / x5068
Greg Goodhart, Treasurer / x5431
Darrell Minor, Parliamentarian / x5310
Bill Mundy, Association Representative / x5176
Dr. Jane McDowell, Association Representative / x2656 
Dave Busch, Association Representative / x5079
Dr. Charlie Gallucci, Association Representative / x5499
Leslie Smith, Association Representative / x5302
Dr. Wendy McCullen-Vermillion, Association Representative / x2693
Lisa Schneider, Association Representative / x5124