Freda'sMom
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2011
- Messages
- 299
USMMA is closed, this is on the webpage:
Gov. Shutdown
- Thread starter ssdmmf
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2009
- Messages
- 1,457
Not that I recall. I would remember 3 weeks off.
The professors came in anyway during the shutdown in '96 and were paid retroactively. They've been specifically told they can't do that this time.
norcalmom2014
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2010
- Messages
- 27
Of course they have been told not to come in because just like the inappropriate and illegal attempt to close down the WWII memorial in DC, this administration will do anything to make the shutdown even worse than it needs to be. People should really be starting sit-ins and rallies to show all these guys we are tired of their antics on the hill. Meanwhile our kids are sitting around waiting to get this trimester behind them and then some will need to go to sea, etc. KP should be fully funded by DOT during this shutdown. Who made the stupid decision down there to shut our academy completely down anyway? I think it is not been thought through at all.
Are the other academies closed as well? If so, some of them have a much more forgiving schedule for their students than KP does when it comes to having time to make up class time.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2007
- Messages
- 9,295
Closing a memorial isn't illegal. But I would agree that it's in bad taste.
I wonder if it is an issue of liability? Some kid drowns in the fountain... is it their fault for having no one on location? I don't really know. Often I think it's to make it "painful" for people, so they call their elected officials.
I wonder if it is an issue of liability? Some kid drowns in the fountain... is it their fault for having no one on location? I don't really know. Often I think it's to make it "painful" for people, so they call their elected officials.
I don't think it's a liability issue. The Interior Dept. also barricaded and closed off the Claude Moore Colonial Farm in Fairfax County and the Mt. Vernon estate in Alexandria. Mt. Vernon is owned/operated/funded with a private trust, though it does co-own some surrounding real estate with the National Park Service. The Claude Moore Colonial Farm is also operated/funded from a private trust. The property is leased by the trust from the NPS.
These closures aren't to save money or minimize liability. They are designed to poke the people with a stick.
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2009
- Messages
- 554
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2007
- Messages
- 9,295
Well, since you're in Maryland... the answer is all those damn cameras at lights (and everywhere else).
I believe there is even an app for locations of red light cameras.
http://www.photoenforced.com/maryland.html#.Uk7d9H_D_rc
tankercaptain
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2012
- Messages
- 509
Please see the following message from Superintendent Helis concerning the government shutdown:
I know I speak for the entire Kings Point community when I express my frustration and disappointment with the current government shutdown and its impact on the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. While all the service academies are being forced to make changes as a result, the impact on the USMMA is the most severe due to the fact that our faculty and staff are nearly all civilians, and therefore subject to the shutdown furloughs that do not impact active duty military personnel.
As a result, the Academy has significantly reduced operations and administrative support programs have ceased. Up until now, we have kept midshipmen on campus in the hopes that the shutdown would be short-lived. This lack of certainty has created tremendous strain on our Midshipmen, their families and the Academy itself.
To provide some certainty to staff, faculty and Midshipmen, we have made the decision to move up our scheduled fall break from its original date of November 1-11 to take place beginning Friday, October 4 and run through Monday, October 14. By “swapping” fall break from November to next week, we can both offer a greater degree of certainty and minimize the disruptive impact the shutdown is having on our academic calendar.
If the shutdown continues through next week and we did not take this step, we would have to cancel fall break altogether to make up the lost academic days. Because the Academy’s academic calendar is nearly year-round, we have only 19 “break” days during the year to make up missed classes.
While we believe this step is helpful, we recognize, and regret, that it still has an impact on Midshipmen, parents, faculty and staff who have made plans for the scheduled November break, and we appreciate the understanding of the faculty union, in accepting this change.
Leadership at the Academy, the Maritime Administration and the Department of Transportation are working on a variety of options to address a longer-term government shutdown, should one occur.
The USMMA is closely monitoring developments during the shutdown, and will keep Midshipmen informed during the break via the academy website and through our Command Duty Office.
Thank you for your patience during this incredibly difficult time.
I know I speak for the entire Kings Point community when I express my frustration and disappointment with the current government shutdown and its impact on the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. While all the service academies are being forced to make changes as a result, the impact on the USMMA is the most severe due to the fact that our faculty and staff are nearly all civilians, and therefore subject to the shutdown furloughs that do not impact active duty military personnel.
As a result, the Academy has significantly reduced operations and administrative support programs have ceased. Up until now, we have kept midshipmen on campus in the hopes that the shutdown would be short-lived. This lack of certainty has created tremendous strain on our Midshipmen, their families and the Academy itself.
To provide some certainty to staff, faculty and Midshipmen, we have made the decision to move up our scheduled fall break from its original date of November 1-11 to take place beginning Friday, October 4 and run through Monday, October 14. By “swapping” fall break from November to next week, we can both offer a greater degree of certainty and minimize the disruptive impact the shutdown is having on our academic calendar.
If the shutdown continues through next week and we did not take this step, we would have to cancel fall break altogether to make up the lost academic days. Because the Academy’s academic calendar is nearly year-round, we have only 19 “break” days during the year to make up missed classes.
While we believe this step is helpful, we recognize, and regret, that it still has an impact on Midshipmen, parents, faculty and staff who have made plans for the scheduled November break, and we appreciate the understanding of the faculty union, in accepting this change.
Leadership at the Academy, the Maritime Administration and the Department of Transportation are working on a variety of options to address a longer-term government shutdown, should one occur.
The USMMA is closely monitoring developments during the shutdown, and will keep Midshipmen informed during the break via the academy website and through our Command Duty Office.
Thank you for your patience during this incredibly difficult time.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2007
- Messages
- 9,295
Very smart move.
I suppose the other option of course could be stopping at the light?
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2009
- Messages
- 554
Announcement of Emergency Meeting of the USMMA Congressional BOV
Members of Congress met Friday afternoon with the representatives from the Department of Transportation, the Maritime Administration, and the U.S. Navy to discuss options available to resume full and normal operations of the United States Merchant Marine Academy during the government shutdown. The Congressional Members, all of whom served on the USMMA Congressional Board of Visitors during the 112th Congress (2010-2012), recognize the unique role USMMA plays in the economic and defense needs of the country and expressed a desire to be even more involved in the oversight of the Academy in the future. Acting Maritime Administrator Paul Jaenichen also pledged to work with the USMMA BOV as they reconstitute legislative oversight of the Academy.
Members in attendance: Senator John Boozman (R-AR) who helped to organize the meeting, and Representatives Peter King (R-NY), Alan Nunnelle (R-MS), Michael Grimm (R-NY), Tim Bishop (D-NY), and staff from the offices of Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Johnny Isackson (R-GA), and Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY). Professional Staff from the Senate Science, Commerce and Transportation Committee (Majority) and the Senate Appropriations Committee (Minority) also participated in the meeting.
Capt. James F. Tobin '77
President
USMMA Alumni Association & Foundation, Inc.
NOTE NEW MAILING ADDRESS
14 Bond Street, #1000
Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: (516)773-5993
Fax: (516)482-5308
Website: www.usmmaaf.com
jim.tobin@alumni.usmma.edu
Please keep the USMMA Alumni Association & Foundation, Inc. in your thoughts when drafting your will or other beneficiary designations.
Keep in touch, so we can keep you in touch!
USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc.
14 Bond Street, #1000, Great Neck, NY 11021
Main: 516-482-5274 / Fax: 516-482-5308
Main Website: www.usmmaaf.com
Email: usmmaaf@aol.com | Parents: www.kpparents.com
Blue & Gray Golf: www.blueandgraygolf.com
| Facebook: www.facebook.com/usmma.alumni
Apparel Store: www.usmmaapparel.com
| YouTube: www.youtube.com/usmmaaf
Instagram Name: usmma_alumni | Twitter Handle: @usmma_alumni
Members of Congress met Friday afternoon with the representatives from the Department of Transportation, the Maritime Administration, and the U.S. Navy to discuss options available to resume full and normal operations of the United States Merchant Marine Academy during the government shutdown. The Congressional Members, all of whom served on the USMMA Congressional Board of Visitors during the 112th Congress (2010-2012), recognize the unique role USMMA plays in the economic and defense needs of the country and expressed a desire to be even more involved in the oversight of the Academy in the future. Acting Maritime Administrator Paul Jaenichen also pledged to work with the USMMA BOV as they reconstitute legislative oversight of the Academy.
Members in attendance: Senator John Boozman (R-AR) who helped to organize the meeting, and Representatives Peter King (R-NY), Alan Nunnelle (R-MS), Michael Grimm (R-NY), Tim Bishop (D-NY), and staff from the offices of Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Johnny Isackson (R-GA), and Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY). Professional Staff from the Senate Science, Commerce and Transportation Committee (Majority) and the Senate Appropriations Committee (Minority) also participated in the meeting.
Capt. James F. Tobin '77
President
USMMA Alumni Association & Foundation, Inc.
NOTE NEW MAILING ADDRESS
14 Bond Street, #1000
Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: (516)773-5993
Fax: (516)482-5308
Website: www.usmmaaf.com
jim.tobin@alumni.usmma.edu
Please keep the USMMA Alumni Association & Foundation, Inc. in your thoughts when drafting your will or other beneficiary designations.
Keep in touch, so we can keep you in touch!
USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc.
14 Bond Street, #1000, Great Neck, NY 11021
Main: 516-482-5274 / Fax: 516-482-5308
Main Website: www.usmmaaf.com
Email: usmmaaf@aol.com | Parents: www.kpparents.com
Blue & Gray Golf: www.blueandgraygolf.com
| Facebook: www.facebook.com/usmma.alumni
Apparel Store: www.usmmaapparel.com
| YouTube: www.youtube.com/usmmaaf
Instagram Name: usmma_alumni | Twitter Handle: @usmma_alumni
tankercaptain
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2012
- Messages
- 509
As you know, Kings Point has been closed due to the shut down of Congress. However, legislation was passed which is keeping USNA, USMA, USAFA, and USCGA open. Inadvertently, USMMA was not included in this legislation.
A technical correction MUST be made to this legislation to get funding for Kings Point, as it was for the other Academies. To make this happen requires OUR letting our Senators and Congressmen know to support the correction - which is a bill being introduced by Senator John Boozman (Arkansas).
Please contact your Senators and Congressmen right away and urge them to support Senate Bill - S.1568. If you run into roadblocks (staff furloughed), please use all other methods available.
Find your Senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Find your Congressman: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
Summary:
Senator John Boozman (AR), a member of the USMMA Board of Visitors, has introduced the Pay Our Military Technical Corrections Act (S. 1568).
S. 1568 would provide a technical correction -- a minor fix -- to an oversight in the Pay Our Military Act (P.L. 113-39). The Pay Our Military Act was passed and enacted on September 30, 2013 to ensure that servicemen and women would continue to be paid during a shutdown of the federal government. The Pay Our Military Act made accommodation for the Coast Guard Academy (even though it is a part of DHS, not DOD). The bill also enabled continued operation at West Point, USAFA, and the Naval Academy. However, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) was unintentionally left out of this bill.
We strongly emphasize that S. 1568 provides a minor technical correction to oversight; it helps USMMA midshipmen (Naval Reservists) and addresses USMMA in the same manner as the other federal service academies were addressed.
Midshipmen at USMMA are Naval Reservists, with a sworn military commitment upon graduation. Approximately 1/3 of graduates go active duty. The other 2/3 have an eight-year obligation to serve the Naval Reserve (meeting the Navy’s Military Sealift Command requirements.) The matriculation rate at USMMA is set in cooperation with the Navy to ensure that personnel needs are met each Spring.
Some have argued that the Academy is not yet in a crisis, because they can take extraordinary measures to mitigate the shutdown, but the crisis is already here:
USMMA has a 12-month academic year (if it gets off-cycle, there will be serious consequences);
USMMA has moved Fall Break to this week, but any further options are very problematic. The Academy could, theoretically, cancel their Spring Break, but further changes would require renegotiations of contracts with the Faculty Union.
Once again, our federal service academies are not on an even footing, and the midshipmen (many of whom do not have the means to reschedule break travel) cannot understand why DHS’s Coast Guard Academy was captured in Pay Our Military, while USMMA was not.
Any support that can be provided to help secure cosponsors – particularly Democratic cosponsors – would be helpful. We are working to see this legislation pass the Senate by unanimous consent. In order to facilitate this effort, it would be helpful for Democratic Senators to let Appropriations Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski (Maryland) know of their support for advancing the legislation.
Many of you sit on the Nominations Committees for Members of Congress, please contact your Members and urge them to support this bill.
Capt. James F. Tobin '77
President
USMMA Alumni Association & Foundation, Inc.
NOTE NEW MAILING ADDRESS
14 Bond Street, #1000
Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: (516)773-5993
Fax: (516)482-5308
Website: www.usmmaaf.com
jim.tobin@alumni.usmma.edu
A technical correction MUST be made to this legislation to get funding for Kings Point, as it was for the other Academies. To make this happen requires OUR letting our Senators and Congressmen know to support the correction - which is a bill being introduced by Senator John Boozman (Arkansas).
Please contact your Senators and Congressmen right away and urge them to support Senate Bill - S.1568. If you run into roadblocks (staff furloughed), please use all other methods available.
Find your Senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Find your Congressman: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
Summary:
Senator John Boozman (AR), a member of the USMMA Board of Visitors, has introduced the Pay Our Military Technical Corrections Act (S. 1568).
S. 1568 would provide a technical correction -- a minor fix -- to an oversight in the Pay Our Military Act (P.L. 113-39). The Pay Our Military Act was passed and enacted on September 30, 2013 to ensure that servicemen and women would continue to be paid during a shutdown of the federal government. The Pay Our Military Act made accommodation for the Coast Guard Academy (even though it is a part of DHS, not DOD). The bill also enabled continued operation at West Point, USAFA, and the Naval Academy. However, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) was unintentionally left out of this bill.
We strongly emphasize that S. 1568 provides a minor technical correction to oversight; it helps USMMA midshipmen (Naval Reservists) and addresses USMMA in the same manner as the other federal service academies were addressed.
Midshipmen at USMMA are Naval Reservists, with a sworn military commitment upon graduation. Approximately 1/3 of graduates go active duty. The other 2/3 have an eight-year obligation to serve the Naval Reserve (meeting the Navy’s Military Sealift Command requirements.) The matriculation rate at USMMA is set in cooperation with the Navy to ensure that personnel needs are met each Spring.
Some have argued that the Academy is not yet in a crisis, because they can take extraordinary measures to mitigate the shutdown, but the crisis is already here:
USMMA has a 12-month academic year (if it gets off-cycle, there will be serious consequences);
USMMA has moved Fall Break to this week, but any further options are very problematic. The Academy could, theoretically, cancel their Spring Break, but further changes would require renegotiations of contracts with the Faculty Union.
Once again, our federal service academies are not on an even footing, and the midshipmen (many of whom do not have the means to reschedule break travel) cannot understand why DHS’s Coast Guard Academy was captured in Pay Our Military, while USMMA was not.
Any support that can be provided to help secure cosponsors – particularly Democratic cosponsors – would be helpful. We are working to see this legislation pass the Senate by unanimous consent. In order to facilitate this effort, it would be helpful for Democratic Senators to let Appropriations Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski (Maryland) know of their support for advancing the legislation.
Many of you sit on the Nominations Committees for Members of Congress, please contact your Members and urge them to support this bill.
Capt. James F. Tobin '77
President
USMMA Alumni Association & Foundation, Inc.
NOTE NEW MAILING ADDRESS
14 Bond Street, #1000
Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: (516)773-5993
Fax: (516)482-5308
Website: www.usmmaaf.com
jim.tobin@alumni.usmma.edu
Freda'sMom
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2011
- Messages
- 299
I've already called.
I was told specifically by my Congressman's office that "even though it is not under the DoD, the Coast Guard Academy is a military academy and USMMA is not."
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2007
- Messages
- 9,295
"Made an accomodation" for a military academy, that feeds a military service to fall under the "Pay our Military Act"....
Makes sense to me. I'm bit saying they shouldn't do something for USMMA, but it's not a military academy, so I guess, under this act, it being excluded... makes sense. (Keep in mind "DOD" is not the defining aspect of "military." The services existed before the Dept. of Defense, and most existed before the "War Dept.".
Makes sense to me. I'm bit saying they shouldn't do something for USMMA, but it's not a military academy, so I guess, under this act, it being excluded... makes sense. (Keep in mind "DOD" is not the defining aspect of "military." The services existed before the Dept. of Defense, and most existed before the "War Dept.".
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2009
- Messages
- 1,457
Neither is having a .mil e-mail address but I digress.
Full text of the bill as passed by both House and Senate
______________________________________________
H.R.3210 -- Pay Our Military Act (Enrolled Bill [Final as Passed Both House and Senate] - ENR)
--H.R.3210--
H.R.3210
One Hundred Thirteenth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday,
the third day of January, two thousand and thirteen
An Act
Making continuing appropriations for military pay in the event of a Government shutdown.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Pay Our Military Act'.
SEC. 2. CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
(a) In General- There are hereby appropriated for fiscal year 2014, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2014 are not in effect--
(1) such sums as are necessary to provide pay and allowances to members of the Armed Forces (as defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code), including reserve components thereof, who perform active service during such period;
(2) such sums as are necessary to provide pay and allowances to the civilian personnel of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) whom the Secretary concerned determines are providing support to members of the Armed Forces described in paragraph (1); and
(3) such sums as are necessary to provide pay and allowances to contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) whom the Secretary concerned determines are providing support to members of the Armed Forces described in paragraph (1).
(b) Secretary Concerned Defined- In this section, the term `Secretary concerned' means--
(1) the Secretary of Defense with respect to matters concerning the Department of Defense; and
(2) the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to matters concerning the Coast Guard.
SEC. 3. TERMINATION.
Appropriations and funds made available and authority granted pursuant to this Act shall be available until whichever of the following first occurs: (1) the enactment into law of an appropriation (including a continuing appropriation) for any purpose for which amounts are made available in section 2; (2) the enactment into law of the applicable regular or continuing appropriations resolution or other Act without any appropriation for such purpose; or (3) January 1, 2015.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.
_______________________________________________________
10 USC 101(a)(4) - The term “armed forces” means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
________________________________________________________
So while in an esoteric sense I do not consider the USCG part of the "military" I guess in a legal sense they are.