Categories
Featured News

UUP opens 2026 SUNY scholarship application process

SUNY students are invited to apply for annual scholarships of $3,000 offered by United University Professions, the union that represents academic and professional faculty at the State University of New York.

The deadline to apply for the UUP College Scholarship Fund Undergraduate Scholarship application is March 1, 2026. Applications and an award fact sheet are on UUP’s website.

The UUP College Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to a maximum of four SUNY undergraduates who excel academically and are dedicated to the goals and ideals of the labor movement.

Applicants must be full-time students enrolled at SUNY state-operated schools and have a minimum grade point average of 3.75. Applicants must have 18 credits at any SUNY college or university to be eligible for a scholarship.

Full-time SUNY graduate students can apply for UUP’s William Scheuerman Post-baccalaureate Scholarship. The award was created in 2010 to honor Scheuerman, who served as UUP president from 1993 through 2007. Applications and an award fact sheet are on UUP’s website.

To apply, students must have at least 9 credits and hold a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.95. Applicants must show dedication to the labor movement’s goals and ideals.

Applicants for both scholarships must demonstrate personal and academic achievement and display a strong record of community service. UUP awards the scholarships to students on a one-time basis, but there is no limit on the number of times a student may apply. The scholarships are funded by contributions from UUP members and their families.

“UUP’s Scholarship Fund is a wonderful example of how UUP supports our students as they work toward their degrees,” said UUP President Fred Kowal. “In addition to their academic achievements, the students we honor have made significant contributions in their communities and on their campuses.” UUP has awarded more than 100 scholarships since the scholarship program began in 1987.

Three of the undergraduate scholarships are given in honor of former UUP members and their families who generously supported the Scholarship Fund. Those members are the late Eugene Link of SUNY Plattsburgh; the late Robert Carter of SUNY Oswego and his wife, Katherine; and the late Gertrude Butera of SUNY Alfred.

For more information, contact UUP’s Administrative Office at (800) 342-4206.


UUP is the nation’s largest higher education union, with more than 42,000 academic and professional faculty and retirees. UUP members work at 29 New York state-operated campuses, including SUNY’s public teaching hospitals and health science centers in Brooklyn, Long Island and Syracuse. It is an affiliate of NYSUT, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, and the AFL-CIO.

Categories
Political Action

Volunteer and Donate to our Stock the Halls Food Drive!

On December 6th, UUP Oneonta is proud to partner with Cooperstown-Oneonta Indivisible to support those who have served our country and others impacted by the federal government shutdown’s lingering impact on food insecurity programs. 

We encourage all UUP members to join us for the Holiday Food Drive on Saturday, December 6, to benefit the Oneonta Veteran’s Outreach Center. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, enjoy the spirit of the season, and give back to the neediest.

📅 When: Saturday, December 6
📍 Locations & Times: There are three ways you can participate and donate…

  1. Large Donations (Bags & Full Boxes):
  2. Individual Items (“Fill the Crates”):
  3. Along the Parade Route:
    • Time: 3:30 PM
  1. Cooperstown-Oneonta Indivisible will be marching in the Holiday Parade with shopping carts! Feel free to hand off individual non-perishable items as they pass by.

Make a day of It! Come out to Main Street for the Holiday Parade at 3:30 PM, stay for the Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony at 5:00 PM, and feel great about giving back at the same time.

A comprehensive list of food items needed and accepted for donation at the Oneonta Veteran's Outreach Ceneter

Let’s show our veterans and neighbors the strength of our solidarity and community spirit. We hope to see you there!

Categories
Political Action

Labor Feeds NY: Actions Against Hunger in Nov. & Dec.

November 15-23

This November, more than 3 million New Yorkers are facing a hunger crisis. Between the rising costs of groceries and the disruption of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, working families across New York are at risk. The union movement will not stand by while our neighbors go hungry.

That’s why unions across New York are joining together for a statewide Week of Action. Labor Feeds New York: November 15th-23rd, 2025.

During this week, local labor federations, central labor councils and union members are encouraged to:

  • Feed – Donate non-perishable food to local pantries and school-based food programs.
  • Give – Contribute funds to hunger relief organizations making a difference in your community.
  • Serve – Volunteer at soup kitchens, food banks, and community meal sites.

Every act of solidarity, large or small, can help make a difference for families in need this fall. 

Republished from: https://nysaflcio.org/laborfeedsny


December 2025

This holiday season, UUP Oneonta is proud to partner with Cooperstown-Oneonta Indivisible to support those who have served our country and others impacted by the federal government shutdown’s lingering impact on food insecurity programs.

We encourage all UUP members to join us for the Holiday Food Drive on Saturday, December 6, to benefit the Oneonta Veteran’s Outreach Center. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, enjoy the spirit of the season, and give back to the neediest.

📅 When: Saturday, December 6

📍 Locations & Times:
There are three ways you can participate and donate…

  1. Large Donations (Bags & Full Boxes):
  2. Individual Items (“Fill the Crates”):
  3. Along the Parade Route:
    • Cooperstown-Oneonta Indivisible will be marching in the Holiday Parade with shopping carts! Feel free to hand off individual non-perishable items as they pass by.

Make a Day of It! Come out to Main Street for the Holiday Parade at 3:30 PM, stay for the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:00 PM, and feel great about giving back at the same time.

Let’s show our veterans and neighbors the strength of our solidarity and community spirit. We hope to see you there!

Categories
News

UUP Oneonta Professionals Survey Reopened

This survey is intended for all UUP professionals. It seeks information about your workplace support and resources available to effectively perform your job. The survey is anonymous and takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete, depending on the level of detail you provide.

To take the survey, please click the button below or visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UUPOneontaWORK

Categories
Political Action

Standing in solidarity with UUP member detained by ICE

Republished from: https://uupinfo.org/communications/uupdate/251103.php

What follows is a message from Upstate Medical University Chapter President Mindy Heath, who has been working with the family of Upstate Chapter member Alex Gonzalez since he and CSEA member Yan Vazquez were detained by ICE agents Oct. 29 and sent to federal detention facility in Batavia, Genesee County.

It is unclear why the men were detained; ICE agents grabbed the men before their scheduled immigration hearing in Syracuse. A hearing on their detention is scheduled for Nov. 17 in Batavia.

“Two of our union siblings, Alex Gonzalez and Yan Vazquez, were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Oct. 29 and were sent to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia.

“The pair, dedicated employees in the Environmental Services Department at Upstate Medical University and proud members of UUP and CSEA respectively, now face an uncertain future. They are Cuban refugees who came to America to seek asylum.

“Recently married, Alex and Yan are homeowners in North Syracuse and are building a life together. They are good neighbors and a part of the community, as they navigate the complex path to U.S. citizenship. They were detained unexpectedly when they showed up for a scheduled immigration hearing in Mattydale in Onondaga County. They were detained before their hearing.

“ICE has made a habit of abducting immigrants seeking legal pathways to citizenship at immigration hearings, which are held in federal buildings. The sudden apprehensions of Alex and Yan have left their families and supporters bewildered, as there appears to be no justification for taking them into custody.

“State and local elected officials and community leaders have rallied around Alex and Yan and their families, emphasizing the importance of due process and the need for answers and transparency.

“On Nov. 1, Gov. Kathy Hochul met with the families of the men. She condemned ICE’s actions, telling Syracuse.com “This is a very treacherous time in our society, when individuals who lived here for years and are high-functioning members of our community working at SUNY Upstate are the ones who are defined as the worst of the worst.”

“The families also met with state senators Chris Ryan and Rachel May, who offered words of kindness and support while condemning the unjust removal of honest, hard-working individuals pursuing a legal pathway to citizenship. This kind of engagement from our leaders is a testament to the collective commitment to justice and compassion within our community, and we offer our sincere thanks for their time and support!

“The strength of union solidarity is shining brightly during this challenging time. Colleagues from UUP and CSEA have come together, along with our local union brothers and sisters in the Greater Syracuse Labor Council and Area Labor Federation communities, demonstrating unwavering support for Alex and Yan.

“Union members understand that the fight for justice extends beyond the workplace; it encompasses the fundamental rights of all individuals, especially those who have risked everything for a better life. Our unions are built on a foundation of solidarity, and we stand with Alex and Yan and will not rest until they are reunited with their families and can return to their important work at Upstate Medical University.

“The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Alex and Yan are not just employees; they are vital members of our community. Their contributions extend beyond their jobs; they are friends, neighbors, and family. The impact of their absence is palpable.

“Family members have been able to visit with both men in the Batavia detention center. They report that Alex and Yan are being treated well and conditions at the facility are clean. Still, the fear family members have for their safety—and their futures—is intense.

“A hearing for Yan is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17; family members believe this will be a joint hearing for both men. The hearing will be held at 4250 Federal Drive, Room F108, in Batavia before Judge James McCarthy.

“As we stand with Alex and Yan, our goal remains clear: to secure their release, ensure they receive due process, and bring them back to their families and the community they love. Together, we will continue to advocate for their rights and the rights of all those who seek refuge and a better life in our great country.

“In these times of uncertainty, let us remember that our commitment to justice and humanity must prevail. Alex and Yan’s story is not just about their individual experiences; it reflects the broader struggle for dignity and respect for all immigrants. As a community, we must remain vigilant and united, ensuring that their journey toward citizenship continues without further obstacles.

“Stay tuned for ways to help show your support! Rallies are being planned to raise up our voices in solidarity with our union siblings, supporters throughout the community, and the families of Alex and Yan.”


A UUP/CSEA-endorsed rally for Alex and Yan is happening Monday, November 10 at 5:00 PM at the Syracuse Federal Building (100 South Clinton St, Syracuse, NY)!

Please consider joining your UUP colleagues and showing up in solidarity:

Immigrant Rights are Workers' RIght!

Rally on Monday
November 10, 5:00PM
at the Syracuse Federal Building,
100 South Clinton Street, Syracuse

Come stand with our fellow union members who were recently detained by ICE.

Bring Alex and Yan Home!

Sponsored by
UUP
CSEA
Greater Syracuse Labor Council
Categories
Events

National Higher Ed Day of Action – Nov. 7th

Friday, November 7 is a National Higher Ed Day of Action on which labor, student groups and allies will join together to demand the kind of higher education system our communities deserve. Across the country, we’re speaking out for:

  • Strong protections for academic freedom and freedom of expression
  • Affordable and well-funded higher education
  • Safe and welcoming campuses for all students
  • Fair wages and secure employment for higher ed workers

In addition to gatherings at some of our chapters, UUP will be hosting a statewide virtual session on Protecting Academic Freedom in Turbulent Times. We invite all UUP members to join us to address how Academic Freedom is essential to the integrity of our institutions and to the work of everyone in UUP (not just academic employees); to learn about UUP’s contractual protections for Academic Freedom and recent legal developments in this area; and to and to discuss how union members can defend this critical right.

The session will be held from 12-1.30pm on Friday, November 7. CLICK HERE to register:

In solidarity,
Fred & Alissa

Frederick E. Kowal, Ph.D.
President
United University Professions 

Alissa Karl, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academics
United University Professions

Categories
Featured Events

November & December 2025 Chapter Events

For our full list of chapter events, please refer to our Events page and/or Calendar!

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Professional’s Luncheon with Statewide Vice President for Professionals Carolyn Kube
12:00 PM – Morris Hall, Le Cafe 
Lunch:  Greek Salad Buffet


Wednesday, November 19, 2025
UUP Unplugged: Topics and Conversation
Put your phones, laptops, and computers on pause, and join our union members to talk about current events and connect with your colleagues.
3:00 PM – Morris Conference Center, Room 104

Refreshments will be served

NO RSVP REQUIRED!


Friday, December 5, 2025
UUP Holiday Dinner Celebration
— SAVE THE DATE —
6:00 PM – The Elks Lodge, 84 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820 


Wednesday, December 10, 2025
UUP Unplugged: Topics and Conversation
Put your phones, laptops, and computers on pause, and join our union members to talk about current events and connect with your colleagues.
3:00 PM – Human Ecology, Martha Pratt Suite Room 144

Refreshments will be served

NO RSVP REQUIRED!


The next chapter meetings are on November 12 and December 10 in Morris Conference Center, Le Cafe. Chapter meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Lunch provided! RSVP at the links below:

Categories
Events

DEI Virtual Panel – Oct. 29

To kick off Indigenous Peoples Month, the statewide DEI committee is featuring a panel discussion about indigenous people’s history around NYS entitled “Erasing History and Stealing Futures” – featuring Melissa Parker Leonard, M. Ed, & Jeremy Dennis MFA. 

Date: October 29, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm
Register HERE »

Melissa Parker Leonard is a Seneca Educator and advocate founder of the 7th Gen Cultural Resources and Jeremy Dennis is a Shinnecock Photographer Founder of Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio.

The discussion will be focused on Ely S. Parker’s life and legacy and the Shinnecock Nation’s path to federal recognition. Ely S. Parker was an engineer, U.S. Army officer, aide to General Ulysses S. Grant, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and the ancestor of Melissa Parker Leonard. In highlighting his life and legacy here, she is directly combatting current attempts to erase his contributions to the United States that are occurring under the orders of the current department of Defense/War.  

Jeremy Dennis is a contemporary fine art photographer, an enrolled Tribal Member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation in Southampton, NY, and the founder and lead artist of Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio, Inc., a nonprofit art space and residency program on the Shinnecock Reservation dedicated to uplifting Indigenous and BIPOC artists.

His work center’s Indigenous identity, culture, and the legacies of colonial assimilation, using photography to stage cinematic, otherworldly narratives rooted in Native oral stories, history, and contemporary experience.

Categories
Rapid Response

Stand for Education and Against the Federal Higher Education Compact

Dear UUP activists,

You have likely heard about the Federal administration’s offer of a “compact” with nine Research universities that would, if agreed to, effectively abolish academic freedom and institutional autonomy at those campuses. It is critical that our union join the chorus of Higher Ed voices speaking out against this proposal. See a message below from our national affiliate, the AFT, and click to sign on to a letter calling upon university leaders to reject this compact.

In solidarity,

Frederick E. Kowal, Ph.D.
President
United University Professions


Under the Trump compact, a successful childhood cancer research project could be cut off because the university allows trans athletes to play on a team. A lab focused on ensuring a clean water supply could be shut down because the university’s mission includes promoting diversity in the student body. A nursing school could lose critical funding because professors are teaching about women’s history.

This policy is a clumsy attempt at thought-policing that will have repercussions for all of society. It risks America’s world leadership in science, technology, innovation and healthcare, creating opportunities for our competitors and our enemies to take the lead. It sets us backward toward an era of less innovation, fewer cures for diseases and a shrinking economy.

Add your name to our public sign-on letter, and call on university leaders to reject this compact.

Read more about the implications of Trump’s so-called compact with colleges in Erwin Chemerinsky’s op-ed in the New York Times.

Read the AFT and the American Association of University Professors’ press release slamming the Trump administration’s ideological litmus test for higher education. 

Categories
Featured Events

2025 Fall UUP Legislative Town Halls

Dear Colleagues,

I’m writing to invite you to join our virtual Legislative Town Hall where we will gather input for UUP’s 2026 Legislative Agenda. 

There will be two opportunities to join: Wednesday, October 15th at 6 pm and Tuesday, October 28th at noon. To sign up, please click here.

If you’re not able to attend but would like to submit your legislative proposals – click here

Please also save the date for UUP’s Advocacy Day being held on February 24, 2026:

I encourage you to be active, participate in our advocacy efforts, and add your voice to the cause of our union. Your ideas and suggestions are critical for us to create a comprehensive agenda to take to the State Capitol.

In Solidarity,

Fred

Frederick E. Kowal, PhD
President
United University Professions