During the meeting of academic delegates at the 2008 Fall Delegate Assembly, delegates spent a good deal of time discussing UUP’s Guide for Academics. This guide is a pocket-sized brochure, set up in an easy question- and-answer format. It answers the most frequently asked questions UUP hears from its members, and includes general information about both UUP and SUNY. We are now updating the guide to include the changes in the 2007-2011 contract, as well as what our Negotiations Team learned throughout the negotiations process.

In these columns in The Voice, I would like to discuss in more detail some of the issues affecting our academic members, particularly those we found as we traveled around the state explaining the new contract.

At almost all of our campus visits, new faculty would make comments such as,

“If I had only known that before I signed my appointment letter.” It became clear that new employees find SUNY to be a confusing place with myriad rules and regulations. The problem is that many things affecting a new member’s career at SUNY are set before they ever teach their first class, set foot in their office or attend their first UUP meeting.

Most of us are involved in the hiring of our colleagues. If our departments and union are to remain strong, we must work with promising candidates to better prepare them to work at SUNY. So, to promot discussions on your campus, here is a short list of questions you may want to suggest candidates consider when interviewing for positions:

• How does my salary offer compare with other offers your campus has given out this year?
• What does my salary include?
• What benefits will I receive and where can I find more information about the benefit package?
• Will I have my own office?
• Will I receive a new computer, software programs and tech support?
• What support will you offer me with respect to my research? How many conferences per year will you pay for in support of this research?
• What will you pay concerning relocation expenses?
• What recommendations would you make about where to live? Where do most of the faculty and staff live?
• What are your expectations regarding my research, teaching and service? How will the school help me accomplish these goals? Will accomplishing these goals ensure I receive tenure?
• What are my retirement options and how do I get more information about them?

More specific questions will depend on the type of department in which you work, including if new employees will need lab space.
With these tips as a guide, we can equip prospective members with the tools they need to make the best arrangements possible. Doing so will strengthen our departments and our union.