Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: News

Charles Delman, professor of mathematics and University Professionals of Illinois president, won the Medez Award which is given out by Faculty Senate to honor faculty service work within the University. Karla Browning/The Daily Eastern News

Charles Delman does not rely on his cell phone often.

He said he would go crazy if he did.

"I try to keep it on when we are negotiating or if some kind of major event is occurring at that moment," Delman said. "I think the battery is debunked."

The mathematics professor also is the president for Eastern's chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois - the union for Eastern's faculty.

Delman was selected by Faculty Senate to receive the Louis Carlos Mendez Award. The award will be presented to him during Commencement on Dec. 14.

As UPI president, Delman has to make day-to-day decisions based off the general policy established by UPI members. He handles relations with the administration, and helps resolve issues with negotiations and grievances.

Delman also serves on the local executive board, which is comprised of the eight chapter presidents throughout universities in Illinois.

"Part of my duties are at the local level and making decisions for the whole statewide union," Delman said.

He has informal meetings with UPI members, and organizes UPI's official meetings, which are held once a month.

The informal meetings can include meeting with the vice president and chairs of committees like the grievance officer and the membership chair. He also makes contact with executive assistants and at-large representatives.

He does this to establish and maintain a democratic process within the UPI chapter, he said.

"It is more than a full-time job," Delman said of being UPI's president. "I think my job was easier when I wasn't doing this and I was just a professor."

He added, although it is a busy service to the university, it is a necessary one.

"The faculty of the university is the backbone of the university," Delman said. "The quality of faculty pretty much determines the quality of the university - the working conditions they have to teach and develop their talent, and work with their students."

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