Colleagues,
This past weekend your elected delegates to the UUP Delegate Assembly met in Albany to learn, to network, attend committee meetings and do the business of our Union from late on Thursday night until noon on Saturday. I wish to share the results of the passage of resolutions, as well as statewide elections.
After much debate, the delegates passed the following resolutions:
- Defending the Integrity of Higher Education Against Authoritarian Assaults Resolution with no amendments (see attached). This is an omnibus resolution, which consolidated multiple topics into a single, comprehensive resolution. This resolution allows delegates to efficiently authorize a range of related matters without the need for separate resolutions for each item. By streamlining the approval process it saves time, reduces administrative burden, and ensures that all necessary actions are formally and collectively authorized.
- Militarization in the US Globally (see attached)
- Resolution to Endorse the HELU “Amherst Compact”
- Condemning Labor Movement Involvement with OpenAI (see attached)
The following resolutions were deemed “Out of Order” as a result of the passage of the Defending the Integrity of Higher Education Against Authoritarian Assaults Resolution.
- United University Professions Must Demand an End to ICE Terror, US-led War, and Genocide (Cortland) (See attached)
- United University Professions Must Demand an End to ICE Terror, US-led War, and Genocide (Buffalo Chapter) (See attached)
The Delegate Assembly also held statewide elections. The results are as follows:
Statewide Officer Positions
- Fred Kowal ran unopposed
- Jeri O’Bryan-Losee ran unopposed
- Patrick Romain ran unopposed
Executive Board Positions
- Pamela Malone (Empire State) ran unopposed
- Rebecca Bryan (Cortland) ran unopposed
- Bret Benjamin (Albany) ran unopposed
- Susan Orr (Brockport-incumbent) lost her bid against Matt Smith (ESF)
- Sam Marquez (Downstate) ran unopposed
- Redetha Abrahams-Nichols (Downstate) ran unopposed
- Mindy Heath (Upstate Medical) ran unopposed
- Dan Braun (Stony Brook), Brendan McGovern (Binghamton), and Christopher Taverna (Fredonia) ran in a three-way election. Brenden McGovern was victorious.
Issues brought forward in the President/Vice Presidents meeting included:
- Challenges facing EOC adjuncts. Minimum rates of pay for adjuncts do not currently apply to EOC adjuncts as they do not teach a minimal of 3 courses. UUP is working on fixing this issue.
- Discussion of AI and the need for members to remain vigilant to determine if AI is replacing members jobs
- We were presented with a statement supporting accessibility and inclusion for their consideration. There was much discussion on how to address the increased workload on our members.
- Discussion on having UPD escorting our members off of campus for alternative work assignments.
UUP is encouraging members to attend May Day events in their area. In Buffalo, the May Day event is located in Niagara Square, 3 – 5 pm. If you are on work obligation at that time, you must take vacation or holiday time to attend.
Best,
Kathleen Kielar
Chapter President
UUP Buffalo Center