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

Categories
Rapid Response

Take Action to Keep International Students On Our Campuses!

The Trump Administration is proposing a rule to eliminate the Duration of Status (DS) for international students. This proposed rule, issued on August 28, 2025, replaces the current DS period with a system that admits international students to a stay no longer than four years barring an expensive and lengthy application for an extension.

The administration has already begun a brief 30-day comment period. We urge UUP members and higher ed advocates to submit comments to stress how this proposed rule would harm our students and institutions. The implementation of this rule would: 

  • Restrict the number of international students attending SUNY campuses and campuses across the United States by curtailing the amount of time students could take to complete academic programs; the rule would likely deter many students from seeking higher education in the US at all.
  • Have a detrimental effect on graduate programs since the median time to complete a Ph.D. for all students in the US is 5.7 years. Many graduate programs would risk losing all of their international students.
  • Reduce human and intellectual capital across the country. Many international students seek to stay in the US and work legally after their studies are complete; US companies would lose access to their skill and talent.  
  • Be unnecessary. International student visa holders are already the most closely monitored group of nonimmigrants in the US.

Please COMMENT HERE on the damage that this rule change would inflict!

Categories
Featured Events

September/October Chapter Events

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Labor Relations Specialist Workshop: Problem Solving in the Unionized Workplace: Gripes, Grievances, and Everything In-Between
with NYSUT Labor Relations Specialist Chris Sielaff
12:00 PM — Morris Hall, Le Cafe
Lunch: Fajita Bar

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7

DEI Seminar: A Restorative Justice Approach to Immigration
12:00 PM — Morris Hall, Le Cafe
Lunch: Taco Bar

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29

Labor Relations Specialist Workshop: Getting to Tenure
with NYSUT Labor Relations Specialist Chris Sielaff
9 AM — Morris Hall, Le Cafe
Breakfast: Coffee, Tea, Pastries, Fresh Fruit


The next chapter meetings are on SEPTEMBER 10 and OCTOBER 8 in Morris Hall, Le Cafe. Chapter Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month. Lunch provided.

For the full schedule of chapter meetings, visit the links below: