From Kincsemfarm@cs.com  Mon Apr 21 17:47:48 2008
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:47:31 -0400
To: davis@cise.ufl.edu (Tim Davis)
Cc: snod2405@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Vote on MOA

Dear Tim,

Thank you for your prompt and encouraging reply to my letter!

Let me answer the question your ask in your last paragraph first, then return
to the matter of T&P letters. The MOA would go into effect as soon as both
parties signed it. UFF is hoping that the BOT will be willing to re-consider
and amend certain articles before implementation.  We have no guarantee that
it will, and its negotiators have thus far been unwilling to schedule a meeting
to do that.  But we believe that recent events may have caused a change of
mind.

On the matter of T&P letters:

UFF has in fact tried to get an agreement that would leave the number of
letters to the discretion of the colleges.  The BOT would not agree, arguing
that the integrity of the letters could not be guaranteed, citing solicitation
and processing issues, pre-arranged positive or negative letters, and other
abuses.  We believe that these problems, to the extent they are real, can be
addressed in a more flexible way.  But we do need articles that govern these
matters, as there have been numerous cases of differential treatment of T&P
candidates.

On the matter of quality v. quantity.  I take your point, though the opposite
argument has also been made by some, viz., that a large number of letters opens
the doors pre-arranged pro-letters.  Hard to tell whether there is something in
this.  (I personally think that as long as the referees have the sort of
standing yours did, the more the better.)

On the question of over-burdening referees, two associations concerned about
this to my knowledge are the MLA (Modern Language Association) and the NHA
(National Historical Association). There may well be others.

Let me close by saying how much I agree with you about the need for better
communications between the Union and the engineering faculty.  I hope we can
find a mutually convenient time very soon to discuss ways of securing that.

Best,

John