If you’re in default on your student loan at tax time, the government can seize your tax refund. Watch this video to see two ways to get out of default and get your money!

We’ve heard all kinds of stories at the AFT’s student debt clinics, where we’ve helped hundreds of members lower their monthly payments and avoid interest they shouldn’t have to pay. If you’ve defaulted on your student loans—meaning you haven’t made a payment in over a year—you’re not alone. Three thousand people default every single day.

And every time someone defaults, they risk losing any tax refund they may be counting on to pay rent, utilities, and other basics.

We think a system that results in 3,000 people defaulting on their loans every day is deeply flawed—and we’re working on a policy that would fix that system rather than punish folks who are already struggling to pay for school. Meanwhile, we have some advice about how to keep your tax refund if you haven’t filed yet, even if you are in default.

Every year, the Department of Education garnishes more than $2 billion in tax returns because of unpaid student debt. This is a silent crisis affecting more than 9 million student loan borrowers. You have options though!

Watch the video to find out what steps to take today.

Use Facebook and Twitter to help other borrowers hang onto their refunds.

Jeri

Jeri O’Bryan-Losee
Statewide Secretary/Treasurer
United University Professions
Post Office Box 15143
Albany, New York 12212-5143
800 342 4206 / 518 640 6600
www.uupinfo.org

Dear Colleagues,

If you or someone you know is struggling with student debt, there are free federal programs that can help reduce monthly payments and eventually lead to student loan forgiveness, but these lifeline programs are significantly under-enrolled. In an effort to help our members get access to these programs, United University Professions and the American Federation of Teachers are proud to host a Student Debt Clinic which will provide information on how to take advantage of them.

We will be offering two Student Debt Clinics on Thursday, April 11, 2019, in University Union West (UUW) Room 324 at the following times: 12pm–1:30pm and 4:30pm–6:00pm.

To attend a Student Debt Clinic, you must pre-register here: http://aft.to/StudentDebtClinicRSVP. From the “student debt clinic” drop-down menu, please select the UUP clinic that you are interested in attending – they are labeled “UUP [Campus Name] [time] [date].” In the affiliate field, type in the full name of our local (United University Professions).

Registration is first come, first serve, and we must cap attendance for a single clinic at 50 participants in order to ensure that we are able to provide maximum assistance to attendees. We will serve refreshments at the clinics.

Managing your student loan debt is the first step in taking on the inequities which plague our system of higher education. We look forward to seeing you, so register now!

In solidarity,

Sean G. Massey, Ph. D
UUP Chapter President
Binghamton University

Applications for the Individual Development Awards (IDA) are now available. The IDA program provides up to $1,000 for UUP-represented employees to engage in activities that further professional development. Part-time employees are particularly encouraged to apply because 15% of the funds are set aside for these employees. The IDA Program is intended to assist eligible employees to develop their full professional potential and to prepare for advancement. Funding may be provided to enhance teaching, research capabilities, professional knowledge, and skills. Funding may not be awarded to purchase equipment or supplies or to support activities that are not related to the applicant’s SUNY profession. Examples of activities contributing to professional development include travel to conferences, preparation of material for publication, and artistic or creative endeavors.

There are two amounts of funding for Individual Development Awards. The first allocation is for projects and activities that occurred April 1, 2017, to July 1, 2018. A second, separate allocation is available to fund projects and activities for the period July 2, 2018, to July 1, 2019. Expenses previously paid by the department may be submitted for reimbursement to the departmental account.

Applications can only be submitted electronically using the following the following link: https://www.binghamton.edu/academics/provost/ida-form.html

CVs/resumes should be sent electronically to Carol Bell (cbell@binghamton.edu).

The deadline for both applications is 5 p.m. Friday, March 29th. Decisions about funding will be made by May 3rd. For questions about the program, please contact Carol Bell via e-mail or at 607-777-6398.

New Professional Development Opportunities for UUP-represented Employees.

Beginning March 2019, the NYS/UUP Joint Labor-Management Committees will begin offering Instructor-led Professional Development Workshops at various campus locations:

Leadership – This one-day workshop is intended to provide participants with an opportunity to acquire knowledge about models of leadership, and then to acquire insights about their own strengths and areas for development.

Interpersonal and Cross-Generational Communications – In this one-day workshop, participants will acquire knowledge about different communication styles, and they will also learn about the differences and similarities between the generations in the workplace.

Diversity: Learning how to Leverage “Difference” at Work – This one-day workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about different models of diversity which include primary and secondary types of diversity.

Conflict Resolution and Team Building – In this one-day workshop, participants will acquire knowledge and skills in recognizing, responding to, and resolving conflicts. They will concurrently acquire knowledge and skills in team building.

Workplace Civility: Creating and Maintaining a Positive, Respectful Work Environment – In this one-day workshop participants will acquire knowledge and awareness of the benefits of a positive, respectful workplace environment.

Scheduled Workshops (Please contact the NYS/UUP JLMC Office for application and further information)

All workshops are from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Dates, times and locations are subject to change)

WORKSHOP DATE LOCATION

Leadership March 13 SUNY Potsdam

April 3 SUNY Upstate Medical (NOTE – 10:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Interpersonal Communication March 19 ESC Saratoga

Diversity March 29 SUNY Plattsburgh

Conflict Resolution April 24 SUNY Cobleskill

Workplace Civility April 17 SUNY Cortland

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Dates, times and locations are subject to change