UUP once again used its members in its annual advertising campaign that demonstrates why more money is needed to maintain SUNY as the best public higher education system in the nation.
In the TV commercial, UUP stresses that SUNY is vital to the state’s economic rebirth. That sentiment dovetails Gov. Spitzer’s State of the State call for economic development and his Executive Budget proposal that breaks the pattern of historic underfunding at SUNY.
“The governor is pushing for economic development, particularly in upstate New York,” UUP President William Scheuerman said. “We wanted to highlight SUNY’s role as the largest single employer in a lot of communities, including Brooklyn, and how an investment in the state university is a win-win situation.”
The campaign kicked off in mid-February with a 30-second TV spot that airs again this month in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton, Buffalo and downstate. It is coupled with a newspaper advertisement that reinforces the union’s message of hope.
The TV ad includes snippets of faculty teaching, a student moving into a residence hall, a physician examining a patient, a basketball coach running drills, and a graduate hugging her proud mother. An announcer asserts: “We’re more than just faculty and professionals. We’re a team that is fueling economic change for New York. We’re SUNY. Our public universities and public hospitals employ thousands. We’re plugging the brain drain; 80 percent of our graduates stay close to home … ready to build, heal and innovate.”
President Scheuerman is then seen on camera stating: “SUNY is vital to New
York’s economy. Call state leaders and tell them we need more faculty. A stronger SUNY means a stronger New York.”
Viewers are encouraged to call (877) 255-9417 to tell their lawmakers to include funds to hire more state university faculty.
Making the commercial
Chapter President Glenn McNitt and UUPer Eric Gullickson arranged the logistics of the taping on the SUNY New Paltz campus, including finding students, faculty and appropriate venues. McNitt was able to recruit a dozen faculty volunteers, while Gullickson secured the classrooms, athletic center and residence hall shown in the commercial. Gullickson and McNitt also appear in the ad.
“Once again, our members answered the call,” Scheuerman said.
Among the other academic and professional faculty to play a role in the ad were Angela Bristol, Mary Furey, Deena Gill, Erick Hart, Paul Kassel, Jeff Miller, Ann Minnick, Brian Obach, S. Ilgu Ozler and Doug Pasquerella.
Copies of the print ad are available for chapter leaders who want to use them in their local markets.
To view the ads, visit the UUP Web site at www.uupinfo.org.
— Karen L. Mattison