NAACP President Ben Jealous summed up the situation in a simple, eloquent way.
“If we’re going to put this country back to work, we have to pull this country back together,” he said.
With that, more than 3,000 American Federation of Teachers members—including more than 70 UUPers—from across the country, erupted in applause for the young, charismatic speaker at AFT’s 81st convention in July.
Jealous also earned applause after lashing out at the Tea Party movement and urging unionists to join the planned Oct. 2 “One Nation March” in Washington, D.C. Delegates also heard from AFT President Randi Weingarten, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumpka and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
The theme for the biennial event, held in Seattle, was “Building Bridges Together,” and UUP members took that to heart by attending general sessions, taking part in divisional meetings focused on higher education, and going out of their way to help make the convention run smoothly.
Seven UUPers from six chapters volunteered to work at registration tables and serve as sergeants-at-arms.
Tom Hoey of Albany, Josheila Crandall and Cheryl Hoyte of Brooklyn HSC, Nuala Drescher of Buffalo State, and Jeannie Galbraith of Stony Brook HSC worked at the registration tables, helping out UUP Secretary Eileen Landy, Dave Kreh of Cortland and Robin Nichols of Upstate Medical University.
Janie Forrest-Glotzer of Oneonta and Artie Shertzer of Stony Brook served as sergeants-at-arms, aiding Frank Maraviglia of Environmental Science and Forestry, who usually does that job at AFT conventions.
“Our members stepped up and did a great job, as acknowledged by AFT,” Landy said.
Hoyte said she was excited about being at the conference and hoped to learn how other higher education AFT locals are dealing with some of the same issues facing UUP.
“The theme of the convention is building the future and I hope people can come together and see the connection,” she said. “We are all one and we need to work together toward that goal.”
UUPers also cast votes to re-elect Weingarten, AFT Secretary-Treasurer Antonia Cortese and AFT Executive Vice President Loretta Johnson.
UUP President Phil Smith was re-elected as an AFT vice president, along with NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi, and NYSUT officers Lee Cutler, Kathleen Donahue and Maria Neira. NYSUT Executive Vice President Andy Pallotta was elected to his first term as an AFT vice president.
Smith, a featured speaker at the AFT Higher Education divisional meeting, discussed how SUNY and CUNY are reeling after being hit with more than $800 million in state aid cuts over the last two years.
“It’s important for us in higher education to step up and fight back,” he told the more than 300 delegates at the meeting.
Weingarten, in her State of the Union address to delegates, sent a strong message urging delegates to become active in their communities and reconnect the union with average working people. That connection has been disrupted by hard economic times that have caused unions to become under attack for protections they have won for their members.
“What a sad commentary that these hard-won, noble achievements now are seen as things that separate us from our communities rather than connect us to them,” she said. “We must work to change this.”
Delegates passed several higher ed-related resolutions, including one to push policymakers and higher ed agencies and organizations to consult academic faculty and staff when it comes to defining and accounting for student success.
A new AFT website, WhatShouldCount.org, has the latest news about student success and accountability.
Delegates also agreed to promote an AFT report titled “Promoting Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Faculty: What Higher Education Unions Can Do.”
UUP’s membership publication, multimedia campaign, website and retiree newsletter earned a total of 10 awards in the AFT Communicators Network journalism competition.
The Voice picked up four awards, while The Active Retiree added another four, all for outstanding writing and design. UUP’s website and print advertising campaign also received awards in the annual contest.
Bringing home awards were:
—The Voice, second place, best editorial, “We need everyone to get involved,” January 2009, by UUP President Phil Smith.
“What makes this entry stand out is it starts with a student and how budget cuts will curtail this student’s dreams,” the judges wrote. “Nicely done.”
—The Voice, second place, best news story, “State budget cuts to SUNY take their toll on campus community,” September 2009, communications specialist Michael Lisi.
— The Voice, third place, best feature story, “Border witness: Life on the U.S.-Mexico border an eye-opener for UUPers,” January 2009, Lisi.
— The Voice, third place, best design, January 2009 issue, publications specialist Karen Mattison.
— Second place, best website, webmaster Ken Holman.
—Third place, best PR activity, statewide print advertising campaign, November 2009, “What? Another year of college?” UUP Director of Communications Denyce Duncan Lacy, right.
— The Active Retiree, first place, best feature, “Travel guru rides the rails across America,” Mac Nelson of Fredonia, below.
“Very interesting and well written with lots of anecdotes,” the judges wrote. “It tempts other readers to get on board!”
—The Active Retiree, first place, best editorial, “We must fight for the America we deserve,” Judy Wishnia of Stony Brook.
“Crisp, concise, well-written personal account of what’s often passed off as news in daily media accounts with no analysis,” according to the judges. “This is first class!”
— The Active Retiree, first place, best design, Mattison.
— The Active Retiree, second place, best news story, “Elder abuse under review,” Don Cohen of Albany.
The judges called this a “well thought out article on an often-neglected issue.”
In past years, the report was inserted into The Voice. But this year, it’s online at uupinfo.org under Reports & Guides.
The Annual Report is a wrap-up of union activities in 2009-10. The eight-page report recaps membership growth, legislative and political activities and a fiscal update. There’s also information about academics and professionals, member benefits and services, and communications.
A group of about 70 professional UUP members gathered to attend a conference on Long Island. The goal of the conference, sponsored by UUP, was to give members a chance to get more involved in their union and to point out the many “tools for success” provided by the union that they have at their disposal.
The June 5 conference was moderated by Vice President for Professionals John Marino. It consisted of a series of presentations, as well as an hour-long forum conducted by Marino that addressed the issues, questions and concerns voiced by participants. Within the wide range of topics covered at the conference were workload, performance programs and evaluations, furloughs, givebacks, salary increases and compensatory time.
“Members have been asking for a while to do regional meetings for participation from those who don’t want to travel all the way to Albany,” said Marino.
William Capowski, a NYSUT labor relations specialist assigned to UUP, delivered a presentation that covered such topics as appeals committees and their involvement in salary increases, evaluations, and permanent appointment. Participants were encouraged to raise questions and voice concerns specific to the conference and the union.
This was one of a handful of regional conferences for professionals conducted by UUP, and plans are already in progress to organize and conduct regional meetings in Buffalo and Potsdam.
“It’s up to the chapters where the regional meetings will be held,” Marino said. “If one chapter has a large membership and its professionals don’t want to travel far for a conference, we can plan those regional meetings closer to them,” Marino said.
Marino said the union is following up on concerns raised by participants to the Long Island regional meeting.
“The first issue the union is tackling is the lack of understanding of members’ rights under the contract,” he said. “The conferences are held to help clarify contract provisions and to give UUP professionals a clear understanding of what is expected of them and what they should expect from their SUNY supervisors.”
Each year, hundreds of UUPers publish books and articles, and are recognized for accomplishments on campus and in their communities. The Voice is pleased to recognize three members in this issue.
• Nichole Preston, an instructional support associate in Physical and Health Sciences at Alfred State, was among five faculty and staff to receive the college’s Pioneer Award, which recognizes people who demonstrate a commitment to the mission and goals of the college, have a positive impact on the college, and provide a high level of performance. Recipients receive a cash award of $225.
• Gerhard Falk, a professor of sociology at Buffalo State, recently authored his 19th book, The American Criminal Justice System: How It Works, How It Doesn’t and How to Fix It (Prager-Greenwood, 2010), which offers a critical analysis of the criminal justice system.
He is the author of similar hard-hitting research, including fraud among scientists, writers, academics and philanthropists, and about improper patient care and the failures within the medical profession.
Falk is a 2006 recipient of a research and scholarship award from SUNY’s Research Foundation and a 2004 President’s Award for excellence in research, scholarship and creativity.
• Bahgat Sammakia, a professor of mechanical engineering at Binghamton University, recently earned the 2010 ITherm Achievement Award in honor of his contributions to electronics, thermal and thermomechanical research, as well as his service to the electronics thermal management community. He received the award during the 12th Intersociety Conference on Thermal and Thermomechanical Phenomena in Electronic Systems.
He holds 14 U.S. patents and has published more than 150 technical papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings.
Everyone—whether in business, higher education or state, local and national politics—is caught in a whirlwind of talk about reorganizing our economy, our educational system and myriad other policies. The breakdowns in the banking and housing markets have started a trend for reform, not only of these institutions, but of all institutions.
The calls for reform and reorganization in SUNY are part of this wave. Over the past few months, the State Education Department (SED) has proposed reforms to teacher certifications, allowing for alternative certification outside of higher education institutions. The so-called Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act (PHEEIA) is a University-led reform proposal that has been debated by the Legislature.
In times of stress, our community looks to us to be a stable and well-reasoned voice on the issues. We need to realize there will always be calls for change, some reasonable and others not. We also need to understand that those calling for change are doing so because they believe in the changes they are putting forth.
In some cases, a new leader may come aboard with new ideas. In other cases, old arguments rise up again, bringing with them renewed hopes of success. Either way, there will be a dynamic tension, which is normal and, if not brought to extremes, helpful in moving us forward.
As with SED’s alternative certification proposal or the reorganization of many of SUNY’s nursing programs, too few people are aware these changes are taking place. UUP is working diligently on these issues, but other proposals will pop up, potentially taking us by surprise in the process.
I raise these issues because there is a trend toward moving away from traditional colleges and universities to a vocational model of higher ed. Recently, The New York Times and Time magazine have run stories about this, quoting Richard Vetter and Charles Murray, two leading proponents of the no-need-for-college movement. The question isn’t if some courses should be applied, but rather if theory and method are important at all.
In the current budget crisis, calls for reorganization and reform are inevitable. How should we as a union and university system address these calls?
I believe a number of simple concepts may help in making better decisions. First, history is important. Understanding past decisions is key to understanding if change is needed. Change simply for the sake of change will only lead to more instability.
Next, the changes need to fit the institution, and the departments and their missions. Not every department should have to bring in large grants to survive, or be punished for not doing so. Not all classes should be large if the appropriate pedagogy calls for small lectures or studios.
Another concept is flexibility and decentralization. Any policy that does not allow SUNY faculty and staff to adjust to problems as they become apparent is doomed to failure. SUNY is too complex to have a single set of rules. SUNY needs to empower its faculty and staff to take control of any reforms or reorganizations that affect them. This means strengthening faculty governance and departmental bylaws. It builds communications and gives those closest to the problems a greater say in the solutions. These rules are nothing new and form the basis for decision making, as proposed by Peter Drucker as early as the 1950s, and found in TQM (total quality management).
It is important for all of the players to be at the table when discussing reforms. The costs and benefits from all aspects are important to making correct decisions. This is what we have learned from past crises, and it is what we need to do today.
In 1983, NYSUT created NYSUT Member Benefits Trust as a tax-exempt, not-for-profit trust fund for the purpose of providing members access to quality, competitive insurance plans and benefit programs.
In 2008, the Trust established NYSUT Member Benefits Corporation. This for-profit, taxable subsidiary was created to protect the Trust’s tax-exempt status and to provide the opportunity to expand the types of endorsed programs and services.
No members’ NYSUT dues dollars are used to support Member Benefits or its programs in any way. Member Benefits receives funds from negotiated endorsement arrangements with some of the endorsed programs’ carriers.
These funds are used solely to defray the costs of administering endorsed programs. Where appropriate, Member Benefits’ revenue is used to enhance programs.
No monies are paid to NYSUT except reimbursement for use of facilities and for services and personnel provided by NYSUT to, and at the request of, Member Benefits.
In an effort to offer only quality alternatives for members, proposals from reputable vendors are reviewed and evaluated. Once a program is endorsed, staff and consultants monitor participation, satisfaction, utilization and product competitiveness.
Members receive advocacy from Member Benefits. If members ever encounter a problem with any endorsed program, they should notify the department. Member Benefits’ involvement assures members’ needs are addressed in a timely manner.
Member Benefits does not represent that each endorsed program is the lowest-cost product for a particular program. However, trustees, directors, staff, consultants and advisers endeavor to obtain and maintain quality benefit programs at competitive prices. Members are encouraged to shop and compare before purchasing any benefit program.
For information about programs or about contractual endorsement arrangements with providers of endorsed programs, call NYSUT Member Benefits at (800) 626-8101, visit www.memberbenefits.nysut.org or refer to your NYSUT Member Benefits Trust Summary Plan Description.
Agency fee payers to NYSUT are eligible to participate in NYSUT Member Benefits-endorsed programs.
It is now more affordable for UUPers and their families to enjoy movies, theme parks, videos and DVDs, and a lot more.
The AFT+ entertainment discount program includes reduced prices on: movie rentals; movie theater tickets, up to 40 percent; live theatre; theme parks, up to $15 a ticket; museums, zoos and aquariums; sporting events; and ski lift tickets.
What’s more, members who sign up for the AFT+ entertainment discount program earn 100 “Advantage Points” to use instead of money toward future entertainment. One additional point is earned for every dollar spent through the program.
For additional information, go to unionplus.org/entertainment or call (800) 565-3712, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Use AFT ID number 744387769.
Welcome back to all of our new and existing members and their families from the UUP Benefit Trust Fund.
It’s that time of year again to give you an overview of all your benefits. We like to keep our members informed.
As an eligible UUP member, you are entitled to a wide range of benefits and discounted services. Your collective bargaining agreement between UUP and New York state provides for dental and vision care, as well as a scholarship program. The fund administers a life insurance program at no cost to the member. These benefits are funded by the state and administered through the UUP Benefit Trust Fund at the UUP headquarters.
• Dental (through Delta Dental): This program covers preventive and diagnostic services at 100 percent of the dental network allowance with a total annual maximum benefit of $2,500 per eligible member and/or dependent. Orthodontic services are available for children and adults.
• Vision (through Davis Vision): This program offers a comprehensive eye exam and one pair of glasses (or the benefit may be applied to contact lenses) once every twelve months for eligible UUP members and dependents.
• Scholarship program: The UUP Scholarship Program offers eligible dependent children of UUP members $750 per semester at state-operated SUNY schools (specific criteria apply), up to a maximum of eight.
• Life insurance (through UNUM Provident): The group life insurance program is provided for all active bargaining unit members. The maximum benefit is $6,000.
UUP also has a Member Services Trust Fund, which offers discounted rates through Apple, AT&T, Bally Total Fitness, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Crystal Rock Bottled Water (featuring Green Mountain Coffee), Enterprise, Goodyear, Liberty Mutual, Mirabito, NJ Nets, Office Max, Sprint and Verizon Wireless.
The fund also offers dental and vision benefits to retiree and non-eligible part-time members.
Our fund representatives assist members with Empire Plan health claims or issues with any of our programs. We are here to ensure you receive proper information and the service you deserve.
For a more detailed explanation of your benefits, check out our website at www.uupinfo.org and click on Benefits, or call us at (800) 887-3863. Let us do the work for you.
