A dozen UUP leaders returned from a three-day affiliate conference armed with the information they need to advance UUP’s agenda against a backdrop of declining state support for education and a growing anti-union sentiment.
The UUPers were among more than 700 higher education unionists at the American Federation of Teachers/National Education Association Higher Education Joint Conference March 26-28 in San Jose, Calif. The conference included lengthy deliberations on national policies aimed at solidifying AFT and NEA priorities that range from student success and achievement and increased faculty staffing to a more diverse faculty and greater federal and state investment in public higher education.
UUP President Phillip Smith shared his insights on student success and accountability during a brainstorming session on AFT’s priorities for higher education. Smith, an AFT vice president, has been working with the federation’s Higher Education Program and Policy Council to draft a policy perspective on what AFT believes is necessary for students to succeed.
Following Smith’s overview, participants broke into groups to discuss what is needed to help students succeed. Their recommendations will be incorporated into the AFT’s final report.
“UUP and our national affiliates support any effort that will increase access and the success of our students,” Smith said. “But it is critical to remember that student success is the responsibility of faculty, staff, institutions, government and the students themselves. None of these parties can be held totally responsible for a student’s success or failure.”
U.S. Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter—the first community college graduate to hold that post—echoed the call for a collaborative approach to student accountability.
“As President Obama says, ‘We’re all in this together and we all have to take responsibility for educating students,’” Kanter said. “When a person fails to graduate, we lose that human capital. That’s unacceptable.”
Kanter encouraged the higher education unionists to e-mail their comments on the administration’s education policies to her at martha.kanter@ed.gov.
Meanwhile, the AFT is posting information about student success on a new Web site, www.whatshouldcount.org. The site offers an overview of the accountability movement, as well as information about accountability. It serves as a clearinghouse for existing plans and initiatives.
The conference also provided an opportunity for three UUPers to share their expertise and steer the debate as workshop panelists and moderator.
Vice President for Professionals John Marino examined the ever-expanding workload concerns of professionals and how unions can help members keep it in check, while Secretary Eileen Landy moderated a discussion on the challenges faced by the next generation of women professors.
UUP statewide LGBTQ Committee Co-chair Patricia Bentley of Plattsburgh offered faculty strategies and suggestions to deal with the unique challenges confronting students who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer.
“This was an extremely useful conference,” said Executive Board member Robert Reganse of Farmingdale. “I now have new approaches to old problems.”
Also participating in the conference were Vice President for Academics Frederick Floss and Membership Development Officer Edward Quinn; Executive Board members Philippe Abraham of Albany, Edison Bond of Brooklyn HSC and Glenn McNitt of New Paltz; and Buffalo State Chapter President Richard Stempniak.
UUPer Dave Iasevoli was surprised to hear Adirondack natives commonly use phrases like “Hebe” and “chocolate people” to describe individuals who are Jewish and of African decent.
As coordinator of the master’s in education program at SUNY Plattsburgh’s branch campus at Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, Iasevoli wondered: What does race mean to white teachers in rural areas, where it is rare to encounter people of different races and ethnicities?
A fair question, considering his firsthand experiences.
“Back when my wife and I took long weekends or vacations in the Adirondacks, our neighbor shared his sentiments about ‘city people’ and ‘Hebes,’” Iasevoli said. “Once, when my wife and I were visiting the apartment he rented from us, one of his friends asked, ‘So, which f^#@$% Hebe owns this place?’ My wife answered, ‘Well, that would be me.’
“That incident, and those comments, drove home the difficulty of bridging cultural differences.”
He used this and other personal encounters to encourage the teachers-to-be in his Intro to Comparative Education course to examine the racial and cultural biases that exist in the U.S., particularly in New York’s north country region. And, once recognizing biases do exist, he asked his students to consider if people of the dominant culture can fairly and accurately teach children from outside that culture.
The answer: Not yet, but there is hope.
To that end, Iasevoli suggests “that all upcoming teachers, from all backgrounds, be required to complete at least one field-work experience, or student-teaching placement, in a classroom where they are ‘the other.’”
Iasevoli shared the results of his pedagogy in a short essay, published in the fall 2009 issue of the National Education Association’s academic journal, Thought & Action. His essay, “‘A World of White and Snowy Scents:’ Teaching Whiteness,” earned him the NEA Excellence in the Academy/Art of Teaching Award. He received a plaque and a $2,500 honorarium during the recent AFT/NEA Higher Education Joint Conference in San Jose, Calif.
The title of his winning essay comes from a line in Wallace Stevens’ poem: “Still one would want more, one would need more/More than a world of White and snowy scents.”
Go to www.nea.org/home/37170.htm to read the full essay.
“When I first received word of the honor, I was stunned—that my personal and localized essay had been read with such regard,” Iasevoli said. “Then, when I met the Thought & Action review panel and fellow union members at the San Jose conference, the sense of solidarity moved me. I am so proud to belong.”
Iasevoli is currently working on a book on the history of education in New York state prisons. He has begun interviewing 25 incarcerated men to piece together oral histories of their schooling. It is tentatively titled Somewhat More Free: Histories of Prison Education, referencing a line from the Langston Hughes poem “Theme for English B.”
At first glance, UUPer José “Tomas” Henriques’ double controller looks like a cross between some kind of bizarre metal detector and something “Star Wars” hero Luke Skywalker might use to fight the Galactic Empire.
But the futuristic-looking apparatus doesn’t blast Imperial Stormtroopers or locate buried treasure—although it did end up making some cash for the Buffalo State assistant professor. The double controller, invented by Henriques, is a musical instrument, and a rather unique one at that.
It was a hit at Georgia Tech’s prestigious 2010 Margaret Guthman New Musical Instrument Competition, held in Atlanta in March. Henriques’ creation—an electric, trombone-style instrument that produces sound by sliding and twisting two hand controllers on either side of its aluminum frame—took top honors in the event, beating out 26 entries from six countries. He won a $10,000 award for placing first.
You can see his Guthman performance online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sX4Dleqz_0.
“I envisioned it as an instrument with a unique sound, but not something too complex to have a personality,” Henriques said.
Measuring nearly two feet long, the double controller produces a majestic, metallic and almost orchestral sound that’s both soothing and unsettling at times. The instrument has a musical range comparable to a piano; it can hit very low and very high notes.
Made of Plexiglas, aluminum and circuitry, the double controller rests on the shoulder and works a little like a trombone. That’s not so surprising when you consider that Henriques, a composer, is an accomplished slide trombonist.
But instead of one slide, there are two, which glide on thin rods on each side of the instrument; the slides help shape its resonant sound. The controllers are outfitted with a small joystick and 13 buttons. They also move, allowing Henriques to add vibrato and extend the notes he plays.
Sound is created when Henriques blows into a mouthpiece attached to the instrument. But it’s the pressure of the air—not the air itself—that makes the sound.
“The air goes to an air pressure sensor,” he said. “The sensor senses if air is being blown hard or soft and that’s used to control volume and how dull or bright the sound is.”
The instrument’s brain is connected to a computer that analyzes and processes the data from the mouthpiece sensors. The computer instantaneously converts the data into sound, which can be manipulated by Henriques.
“Because the sounds are all electric, you can make it sound like anything you want,” he explained. “That’s the beauty of it. I can make it sound like a flute or even someone speaking if I want to.”
Henriques built the double controller last year, but he’s already planning modifications, like a version with a built-in amplifier and speaker.
He may already have a taker. The principal trombone player for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra has asked Henriques to build him a double controller. And several Buffalo area jazz players that have heard the instrument have given their thumbs up.
“I’m planning on performing with it, but I’m not proficient right now,” Henriques said. “I’ve spent my time perfecting the software, so I’ve had little time to actually learn the instrument.”
For the second time in six years, UUP’s newsletter for its more than 3,400 retiree members earned the Ted Bleecker “Best of the Best” Award in the annual NYSUT Journalism Contest run by New York Teacher.
In all, The Active Retiree won five awards for newsletters produced in 2009.
The Bleecker award is given to the publication—in-service or retiree, 10 members or 10,000—that the judges believe is top-notch in every way. Judges look for quality writing, editing, photography and design. The award is named after the late Ted Bleecker, editor-in-chief of New York Teacher for more than two decades.
All articles are written and edited by UUP retirees. Layout and some photography is provided by Publications Specialist Karen Mattison.
The Active Retiree, which first earned the Bleecker award in 2004, drew high praise from the judges: “Absolutely the best! Thorough attention to detail in design, visuals and an excellent variety of story content. On every count—content, layout, writing, photos—this newsletter stands out. A model of what a newsletter should be.”
The Active Retiree also won top honors for Best Newsletter for publications with a circulation of more than 1,000. The winning June 2009 issue included articles on the state Alliance for Retired Americans conference and NYSUT Representative Assembly highlights, as well as regional meeting coverage and recognition of two award-winning UUP retirees.
“This is the way it’s done,” wrote contest judges. “Great publication, filled with informative and interesting articles ranging from topics of interest for retirees to general interest articles. The writing and layout exude professional quality.”
Individual awards went to:
• Malcolm Nelson of Fredonia, who earned first-place honors for Best Feature Story for his April 2009 article “All aboard,” about his cross-country train trip to visit friends in Illinois, California and Oregon.
“This was a delightful, informative journey through America on the rails,” according to the judges. “Beautiful imagery. Nicely done.”
• Donald Cohen of Albany, who picked up a first-place award for Best News Story for his April 2009 article “Elder abuse under review.”
The judges had this to say: “Excellent article on an often overlooked topic in today’s society. Thoroughly reported with important details in breakout points. Excellent!”
• COARM Chair Judith Wishnia of Stony Brook, who received an Award of Merit for Best Editorial for her June 2009 commentary “Labor left out of social history.”
“A direct and beautifully written column on the importance of unions in U.S. history and why they are still needed today,” wrote the judges.
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.
• Cheryl Doble, an associate professor in the department of landscape architecture at Environmental Science & Forestry, recently received the ESF Public/Community Service Award. The award is given annually to an employee whose outreach activities to the public represent the college and its mission in a positive fashion and whose volunteer service to the community enhances life for others.
Doble is director of the Center for Community Design Research, which helps communities learn how to plan and manage sustainable futures.
• Erik Hage, an associate professor of journalism and communications at SUNY Cobleskill, is the author of Cormac McCarthy: A Literary Companion (McFarland & Co.), released April 5.
The book offers a comprehensive understanding of the body of literary work by the reclusive McCarthy, a 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner for his novel The Road.
Hage is an award-winning journalist and author of several novels and popular reference books. Go to http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/ for publication information.
• Joseph Williams, collection development and acquisitions librarian at SUNY Maritime, and Hofstra University’s David Woolwine co-authored a chapter in Library Data: Empowering Practice and Persuasion (Libraries Unlimited) published earlier this year.
The article, “The Use of Grounded Theory in Interlibrary Loan Research: Compliance Always Occurs,” discusses the qualitative research methodology used in the social sciences as it applies to interlibrary loan practices at various institutions, through the use of a practices survey.
The study represents the preliminary research to a more comprehensive study of interlibrary loan practices and the effects of the acquisition of electronic databases.
Go to http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/320193397 for publication information.
UUP’s Oneonta Chapter sponsored a film series about labor to attract new members to the chapter.
Fredonia UUPers held membership lunches. The Alfred, Purchase and Plattsburgh chapters held forums for professionals and academics.
And in March, the Stony Brook Chapter hosted a social justice program called “Loaves for Fishes” at a local friary. They baked bread and sold the loaves, raising $1,200 to help build a fish farm in Mexico.
These are just some of the events hosted by UUP chapters to expand membership, and energize those who may be considering a leadership role.
“Most members know they get a contract and raises through the union, but they don’t realize what we do,” said statewide UUP Membership Development Officer Edward Quinn. “We need to inform them of what the union is about.”
Quinn raised those points at a March 11 regional meeting for membership development officers (MDOs) at Oneonta. Representatives from Oneonta, Albany and Cobleskill attended the daylong seminar, which focused on ways to structure chapter-building activities. This was one in a series of regional MDO meetings staged by Quinn; another was held May 4 at Buffalo State.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for MDOs: convincing members who think that union activism will take too much time from their already busy lives.
Hanfu Mi, Oneonta’s new membership development officer, can attest to that. Mi said he toyed with becoming involved for a while before making the jump this year. What stopped him? He didn’t think he had the time.
“People are stretched so thin they may see (chapter involvement) as a long-term commitment,” said Oneonta Chapter President William Simons. “You have to generate interest and enthusiasm to get them involved.”
Almost every UUP chapter has seen membership increases from 2005 to 2010 for a variety of reasons, according to UUP membership figures. But placing a focus on growing membership certainly hasn’t hurt chapters like Stony Brook (up 18.2 percent), Cortland (up 17 percent) and Oneonta (up 11.7 percent).
There are a number of ways MDOs can increase membership, starting with inviting new employees to orientation meetings or training sessions. Creating and improving chapter newsletters keeps members in the know and publicizes union activities that may spur their involvement.
Staging picnics, mixers, lunches and other social events are other ways to attract members. Oswego, Cortland, Stony Brook, Oneonta and Fredonia are a sampling of chapters that have held membership luncheons, dinners and end-of-semester mixers to bring members together, according to chapter newsletters. Several others held benefits to aid survivors of January’s catastrophic earthquake in Haiti.
“If people have an interest, we can find a niche to go with that interest,” Mi said.
On April 27, the Oneonta Chapter hosted “College and Community III: The Dialogue Continues,” a two-hour panel discussion about how the college and community can work together. Nearly 70 UUPers—who each got a free box lunch—attended the event, which featured Oneonta Mayor Richard Miller Jr., financial analyst Erna Morgan and bank president Douglas Gulotty.
Hosting workshops for professionals and academics can increase chapter awareness. Alfred, ESF, Oswego and Plattsburgh were a few of the chapters that held professionals’ workshops this year.
Vice President for Academics Frederick Floss and Vice President for Professionals John Marino throughout the year hold a regional workshop for professionals and academics; Marino is slated to host a Long Island professionals’ workshop June 5.
But one of the best and easiest ways to promote the chapter is through word of mouth. An active, organized chapter, one that’s always ready and effective when it comes to helping members in trouble, won’t be a secret for long.
I was at an event for my daughter a few weeks ago and had an opportunity to speak with another parent about what’s been going on in Albany. We agreed that the state is in a financial mess and that our government leaders do everything except lead. The conversation quickly turned sour when he said the biggest problem is public employees. I was told that we are overpaid and underworked, our benefits and our pensions are too generous, and we have it better than our private-sector counterparts. Then he attacked our unions: Unions aren’t sacrificing like everyone else and they protect bad employees.
I wish I had a camera when I told him I was an officer in a public employees union and a state worker. Priceless!
When it was my turn to respond, I said: First of all, we do work hard. Public workers teach our kids, take care of the sick, put out fires, protect our families and property, fix our roads, take us to the hospital, pull us from car wrecks, protect our environment, and so on.
As for being paid too much, I reminded him that we also pay taxes and generally our salaries are lower than private-sector salaries for the same work. The lower salaries are offset by the deferred compensation (pension) we receive. I also said salaries need to be fairly competitive, otherwise no one would want to work in the public sector. Sure, we have good benefits, but shouldn’t everyone have access to quality health care? Instead of beating up public workers for what they have, we should work together so everyone can have equitable salaries and quality health care.
I went on to tell him that even though his workplace isn’t unionized, the benefits he enjoys are directly related to unions. Employers know they have to give their employees some of the benefits in order to keep them from unionizing. I reminded him that management can unilaterally take away any or all of his benefits if he doesn’t have a union contract. Maybe organizing is the answer and not the problem. With a union, he and his working sisters and brothers can negotiate better terms and conditions of employment. After all, that’s what unions do.
Here’s what I asked him:
Do you like having weekends off? Thank the unions.
Do you like a 40-hour workweek? Thank the unions.
Do you like overtime? Thank the unions.
Do you like the eight-hour workday? Thank the unions.
Do you like paid vacation and sick days? Thank the unions.
Do you like safe working conditions? Thank the unions.
Do you like paid holidays? Thank the unions.
Do you like health insurance? Thank the unions.
I’m growing tired of the argument that unions protect bad employees. Unions guarantee due process, not lifetime job security. Workers are sometimes targeted for dismissal for no other reason than their boss doesn’t like them. Shouldn’t they have a chance to argue their side, rather than face immediate dismissal at the whim of their managers?
I’m also tired of hearing how public employees should share in the pain. Public employees are not responsible for the economic downturn. Wall Street is. Yet, public employees are continually threatened with givebacks, furloughs, lag pay and layoffs. We have become the scapegoats for the bad economy.
I’m not sure if I changed his mind about public employees and their unions, but it sure felt good to state our case. Enough is enough. We must tell people that we, as public employees, are important to the health and well being of the state and its citizens.
Thinking about retirement and how you’ll spend your “golden years” is the easiest part of the journey. The hardest part is figuring out what you need to know before reaching this milestone.
These guidelines are intended to help you make the transition. It is important that you consult with your retirement system (ERS, TRS, ORP), financial advisor or other personal consultant and campus health benefits administrator (HBA) to understand your campus’ procedures before your decision is made.
Once you’ve picked a retirement date, consider doing the following:
• Contact and notify your retirement system (Employees’ Retirement System or Teachers’ Retirement System) at least 30 days but no more than 90 days prior to your retirement date. The Optional Retirement Program (TIAA-CREF, ING, Metropolitan or AIG/ VALIC) requires notification by the 15th of the month prior to month of retirement;
• Meet with an HBA in the campus Human Resources Department (HR) regarding health insurance coverage, and coverage for dependents, among other health benefits matters.
Discuss the sick leave conversion credit to calculate the basic monthly value toward defraying the required contribution to the monthly premium for health insurance.
• Meet with a representative in your HR Department regarding your survivor benefits, if any, and beneficiaries, such as in the UUP Benefit Trust Fund. Discuss the campus procedures for retirement.
• When certain, notify your campus president, or designee, in writing (copy others if you wish).
NYSHIP in retirement
To be eligible to retire with health insurance, you must meet the eligibility requirements of your retirement system; have been eligible to participate in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) for a minimum of 10 years; and be enrolled in NYSHIP at the time you separate from NYS service.
If you are 55 or older, you are eligible for the sick leave accrual conversion credit to defray the retiree’s contribution toward the cost of health insurance. NYSHIP premium costs can be offset with your accrued sick leave credit, which may currently use up to a maximum of 200 days.
If you are not yet 55, and you are “vested for health insurance purposes,” you may pay the full health insurance premium until you are 55 when NYS will contribute the employer’s cost and you will contribute the retiree’s cost.
NYSHIP individual coverage: currently employee/retiree pays 10 percent; NYS pays 90 percent; family coverage: currently employee/ retiree pays 25 percent; NYS pays 75 percent.
NYSHIP will pay only as much toward an HMO as it does for The Empire Plan. HMO members pay the difference.
Alternative method of applying basic monthly value of sick leave credit
When you retire, you may elect to apply up to 100 percent of the calculated basic monthly value of the sick leave credit toward defraying the required contribution to the monthly premium during your own lifetime.
Alternatively, you may elect to apply only up to 70 percent of the calculated basic monthly value of the sick leave credit toward the monthly premium during your lifetime; and, any eligible surviving dependent may also apply up to 70 percent of the basic monthly value of the sick leave credit toward the dependent share of the monthly premium for the duration of the surviving dependent’s eligibility.
Selection of the method of sick leave credit application must be made at the time of retirement, and is irrevocable. In the absence of a selection by the employee, the basic method shall be applied. The basic monthly value of the sick leave credit shall be calculated according to the procedures in use on March 31, 1991.
An employee retiring from state service may delay commencement or suspend retiree health coverage and the use of the employee’s sick leave conversion credits indefinitely, provided the employee applies for the delay or suspension, and furnishes proof of continued coverage under the health care plan of the employee’s spouse or domestic partner, or from post retirement employment.
Medicare
Most UUP members become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Medicare Part A is available at no cost, and covers hospital services, skilled nursing, hospice and home health care. Medicare Part B covers physician services, durable medical equipment and other services. If you turn 65 in 2010, the Medicare Part B premium is $110.50 or more if your income falls above new federal guidelines.
Once you’re eligible for Medicare as primary coverage, NYSHIP requires enrollment in Parts A and B. When Medicare is your primary insurance, the state reimburses you for the Medicare Part B premium, as well as that of your eligible NYSHIP dependent who is also enrolled in Medicare.
You are entitled to this benefit unless the Part B reimbursement is received from another source, and as long as you do not return to work. Once eligible for Medicare, Medicare is your primary insurance and NYSHIP is your secondary insurance if you are not actively employed.
Prescription drug coverage remains with the NYSHIP plan selected such as The Empire Plan or an HMO when you retire the same as during the years of active employment with NYS.
After retirement, the UUP Benefit Trust Fund (BTF) coverage for dental and vision services terminates at the end of the month following the last month of employment. To continue these benefits, COBRA entitlement is available for 18 months and payments are made to the BTF.
UUP retiree membership
UUP retiree membership is open to anyone who retired from active service while a “regular” member of UUP. Membership applications are available at www.uupinfo.org. Retiree membership is $34 annually. Retiree members receive a $1,000 life insurance policy and are able to purchase NYSUT, AFT and UUP discounted benefits and services. UUP retiree dental and vision plans are available at competitive prices.
Personal information changes
After you retire from state service, all changes of names, addresses, dependents, etc., for NYSHIP are processed through the NYS Department of Civil Service, Employee Benefits Division. The option transfer period in NYSHIP is allowed once in a 12-month period.
For more NYSHIP and sick leave accrual conversion information, contact your campus HBA and campus HR Department, or the NYS Department of Civil Service, Employee Benefits Division, at (800) 833-4344. For Medicare information, call (800) 633-4227. For UUP membership and retiree membership information, or for vision and dental benefits questions, contact the UUP Benefit Trust Fund at (800) 342-4206.
The NYSUT Member Benefits Corporation recently endorsed two new discount travel programs: TripMark.travel, an all-inclusive travel program that provides online and offline (travel agents) services; and discounts through Wyndham hotels.
With TripMark.travel, members can plan vacations, flights, cruises and much more while taking advantage of great deals. Members can book flights, hotels, vacation packages and cruises online for personal and business travel needs. An easy interface and advanced encryption technology keep members’ information safe and secure. Members’ information will never be shared or sold to any third parties.
Agents are also available anytime to provide personal assistance.
Wyndham Hotel Group has 11 hotel brands, and Endless Vacation Rentals by Wyndham Worldwide offers resort condos, villas, homes and cottages worldwide.
With the Wyndham Hotel Group, bargaining unit members can enjoy discounted rates at nearly 7,000 participating hotels.
Through Endless Vacation Rentals, members receive discounted rates at more than 200,000 vacation rentals in 100 countries. Whether it’s a luxurious resort in Mexico, a multi-bedroom condo in Orlando, an authentic villa in Tuscany or a seaside cottage in the U.K., the company offers the space and comforts-of-home conveniences to make each stay memorable.
Visit www.memberbenefits.nysut.org and click on Discounts in the left-hand navigation bar to find details about these new travel discounts, including the discount code number for Wyndham Hotel Group and Endless Vacations, phone numbers and website links that ensure the Member Benefits discounted rates are applied. Members can also call Member Benefits at (800) 626-8101.
(For information about contractual endorsement arrangements with providers of endorsed programs, please contact NYSUT Member Benefits 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.)
