Updates

Dear Colleagues:

As we begin spring semester, we are reminded that our administration’s reaction to the state’s fiscal policies that discriminate against many rural campuses continues to weigh heavily on our membership. I am now sorry to have to report that retrenchments have begun here at Potsdam, including two professional and five academic positions. My fellow union activists and I are deeply concerned about the welfare of those who have been non-renewed and retrenched and saddened by these events, and we will continue to do everything in our power to protect our membership. The UUP is currently working with our retrenched members to effect the most advantageous outcome of their personal situations possible under the terms of our negotiated contract.

Our union also faces the challenge of a new plan to close the SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, which would deprive the borough’s 2.5 million residents of their only public teaching hospital, further stress the already inadequate public health system in Brooklyn, and jeopardize the jobs of over 2,000 UUP members.

These developments make even more clear the intention of Governor Hochul, Chancellor King, and the SUNY Board of Trustees to further the transfer of wealth from the less affluent to the rich, a shift that has increasingly characterized US public policy since the 1980s.

The UUP, however, will only fight harder to maintain access to public higher education. This spring, the UUP Potsdam Chapter will continue its work, with strong guidance and backing from our statewide leaders, to persuade the New York State legislature and governor to better fund SUNY, especially the campuses, like Potsdam, that are most in need.

Upcoming Events

Chapter Membership Meeting on February 28 at 11:30: We will have a lunchtime Membership Meeting on Wednesday, February 28. Members will vote on next year’s budget for the chapter, and UUP leaders will address your questions about retrenchment. (Voting will be available starting at 10am.)

UUP’s Legislative Reception and Advocacy Day. Our feature event for this spring will be the organization of a trip to Albany to participate in the UUP’s Legislative Reception and Advocacy Day, March 4 & 5, where we will speak to state legislators. The UUP will provide lodging to its members who participate.

• On Monday, March 4, we will meet with members of the New York State Legislature at a reception hosted by the UUP.
• On Tuesday, March 5, we will go to legislators’ offices to advocate for the 2024 UUP Legislative Agenda, including a dedicated fund for financially-distressed campuses.
• By Feb. 15, please register for the UUP Legislative Reception and Advocacy Day at this link. (Latest possible registration is February 23.)

Seeking Chapter Area Reps: We still need to better represent many departments through the selection of Area Reps. Our Area Rep Council has been growing, and it's meeting regularly. But many departments and offices remain unrepresented. If your department or office is not represented (see list at the end of this newsletter), please contact our Membership Development Officer, Heather Sullivan-Catlin at heathersullivancatlin@gmail.com to discuss being a rep.

What is at stake in this fight

As UUP Potsdam Chapter President, I have resisted calls for direct criticism of our college administration’s policy because I believe that they are simply following orders coming from Albany, and thus it would be a distraction for us to do battle with our President and Interim Provost.

But I do want to make clear what is at stake in this fight. Potsdam administrators are participating in a statewide effort to deny thousands of New York residents who cannot or will not attend University Research Centers a reasonably priced, face-to-face education in their chosen discipline at the state university campus of their choice.

Administrators argue that we are facing an “enrollment cliff” caused by a rapid decline in the number of college-age New Yorkers, and that they are “resizing” rural SUNY campuses to better reflect the demand for a comprehensive college education in the coming years. They claim that they are responding to structural changes in New York’s demography.

But we understand that, in addition to decreasing overall funding for SUNY over the last fifteen years, state leaders have made a POLITICAL decision to raise enrollment caps and funding of the university research centers and to reduce funding at comprehensive and technical colleges.

UUP’s research also tells us that there is projected marginal decrease in public school enrollments and, thus, potential SUNY students, over the next dozen years, but the decrease totals just five percent overall and is by no means an “enrollment cliff.”

And we understand that demand for higher education is elastic, and that, if comprehensive colleges, and the students who attend them, enjoyed the level of support offered for much of SUNY’s history, there would be plenty of students to go around.

Finally, we understand that this is not just a problem for the residents of New York: there is a national movement among some of our leaders to reduce the availability of public higher education throughout the United States, best illustrated by the common use of the consulting firm rpk Group among colleges and universities like West Virginia University and SUNY to downsize using questionable business practices.

So please join us as we work to protect our members’ rights under our contract and to defend public higher education in New York from those who wish to curtail its availability to less affluent New Yorkers.

Remember, unions and state universities are the bedrock of the middle class, and the middle class is the bedrock of democracy. This is a fight that we cannot afford to lose!

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Dear Colleagues,

As promised, we are jointly reaching out to you to provide you with the latest information regarding the situation at Potsdam in the aftermath of SUNY’s decision to downsize the campus.

Unfortunately, we are writing to you today regarding news of retrenchments of UUP bargaining unit positions at SUNY Potsdam. We regret to inform you that seven UUP bargaining unit members have been notified that their positions will be retrenched. We have worked hard to pressure both campus and system administration to avoid this outcome, and we maintain that this decision was a choice, not an inevitability. UUP and our NYSUT affiliate are utilizing our resources to assist these members through these incredibly difficult circumstances. Though the loss of any staff is unacceptable, we believe that the fallout would have been even worse without consistent pressure felt by SUNY from across the UUP bargaining unit.

We ask you to take part in continuing the fight to restore these positions and prevent further damage wrought by a Chancellor who has decided to engage in a multi-fronted attack on the SUNY system. NYSUT’s higher education lobby day is on February 5th and 6th, and UUP’s annual advocacy day is March 4th and 5th. Legislators need to hear from you, the UUP members on the frontline of public higher education, why SUNY and its employees deserve better.

We look forward to you joining us in Albany soon. Here are the links for you to use to sign up to lobby for our future:

• UUP Advocacy Day Registration Link by February 15 (late registration until Feb.23)
• NYSUT Higher Education Lobby Day Registration Link

Sincerely,

Frederick. E. Kowal, Ph.D.,

Statewide President

With the new legislative session now underway, our union advocacy efforts are in full swing. United University Professions (UUP) annual advocacy days at the New York State Legislature are March 4-5, 2024, with a goal of each chapter sending at least five representatives. You can register to participate by February 15 here (late registration may run until February 23).

Legislative outreach days play a pivotal role in shaping the advocacy efforts of organizations like UUP. These events provide a unique opportunity for members of UUP to directly engage with legislators, convey their concerns, and advocate for policies that impact the higher education sector.

Through legislative outreach days, we UUP members interact directly with elected officials in the NYS legislature. This face-to-face engagement with elected officials allows UUP representatives to express their perspectives on critical issues, such as funding for public higher education, faculty and staff compensation, and the overall well-being of university communities. By establishing a direct line of communication, UUP members can build relationships with legislators, fostering a better understanding of the challenges faced by those working in the university system.

This year, UUP will be arguing again for a special fund for financially-distressed campuses. Last year, the Assembly voted for that fund, but the Senate did not. The collective voice of UUP members during legislative outreach days amplifies their impact and emphasizes the significance of supporting higher education as a public good.

As we prepare for UUP legislative outreach days, the union has made it easy for you to get legislators thinking about our concerns. With the push of a button, you can send an advocacy e-letter here. Your letter will go to five key legislative leaders, urging them to protect SUNY Potsdam and other campuses on their 2024 budget.

In addition to influencing policymakers, legislative outreach days contribute to the empowerment of UUP members. These events offer networking opportunities with our peers, enabling participants to refine their communication strategies and become more effective advocates for their cause. This empowerment is crucial in building a resilient and informed community of university professionals who can actively participate in the democratic process.

Legislative outreach days also provide an opportunity for UUP to showcase the diverse talents and contributions of its members. Highlighting the expertise and dedication of faculty and staff members helps legislators understand the integral role played by the higher education community in shaping the future of society. This nuanced understanding can lead to more informed policy decisions that positively impact the entire university ecosystem.

In conclusion, legislative outreach days for United University Professions are a cornerstone of effective advocacy in the higher education sector. These events facilitate direct communication with policymakers, empower UUP members, and contribute to building a strong, informed, and influential community of university professionals. As the higher education landscape continues to evolve, the importance of such outreach efforts cannot be overstated in ensuring the well-being and success of universities and their dedicated workforce.

President Smith told us in September that “Without immediate action, the future of this institution that we all know and love is uncertain.” By December, in a Times-Union article, Chancellor King said that campus closures are unlikely: “Some . . . colleges need to cut back and can’t offer every standard academic program — but there’s a ‘very good’ chance they will all survive,” King said. Apparently, the dire risk to our future is already gone. So, does SUNY really have a “financial exigency” that justifies so many program closures, nonrenewals, and retrenchments -- or has it simply chosen a new spending priority?

The Chancellor also suggested that Potsdam shouldn't be planning for growth: “Potsdam was 4,000 (students) 10 years ago. They’re 2,500 now. I believe they can be a healthy 2,500-student school.” It sounds like future growth is off the table. President Smith said something similar in September: “We need to reimagine our campus as serving a steady enrollment of 2,500 students, with hopes of growing to 3,000 or more one day.”

There is no plan to recover enrollments that we are aware of, even as we lose some students who are transferring out. Instead, we are actively reducing our capacity, through cuts to staffing and facilities. Apparently, SUNY just wants us to be small— even through nonrenewal and retrenchment of dedicated colleagues, inspiring and effective teachers and professional staff who could help the college to recover and grow.

Cut out of growth

Permanently downsizing our campus fits perfectly into the state’s 2022 plan for SUNY, which aims for dramatic growth in the four research centers. On the other hand, the plan encourages colleges to narrow their focus by picking one “institutional specialization” that helps students’ job prospects. Worse, these specializations can be ignored by SUNY itself. Recently, the University at Albany hurriedly created three undergraduate teacher ed programs (its first in 20 years) to attract students from the College of St. Rose. Research centers slapping together new programs instead of guiding students to existing SUNY programs: how is that efficient?

The state says its plan will spur “equitable economic growth and upward mobility.” But we see this plan reducing students’ options, limiting future enrollment, and hurting the local economy. As reported on PBS’s Amanpour & Company, SUNY Potsdam's cuts are as puzzling as West Virginia U's: why are public institutions shrinking themselves and reducing future students’ choices – including students who might yet come from failing private institutions? We expect more in New York.

Another economic blow

Local government leaders and business owners should know that these cuts are not a temporary glitch. After 15 years of cuts, SUNY is permanently downsizing one of the last large employers in St. Lawrence County. Every cut in public higher ed has a ripple effect in this rural, small-town economy. The town and region may see downturns in its rental market, in all kinds of retail, and even in sales taxes and property taxes. Who will rent the nearby apartments, some run by absentee landlords who will never meet their tenants? If the neighborhood around the colleges does decline, what will that do to enrollments?

The village has worked hard to sustain and develop its economy, thinking in part that the college would sustain its role in that economy. Instead, we are watching one of the biggest state agencies pull resources out of an economically-disadvantaged town. We may yet watch Potsdam decline, like other towns in the county.

But SUNY has chosen to let the chips fall where they may – for this community, for the college's dedicated and creative employees, and for its students.

Let’s raise our voices against this plan. It has no credible rationale, it restricts student choices, and it will push the local economy closer to the brink.

I arrived at SUNY Potsdam in 2000 to join Sociology, and I’ve been active in the Environmental Studies program since its inception, helping to build it into an independent interdisciplinary department. Most recently, I have been enjoying the new challenge of teaching sociology majors at the Riverview Correctional Facility through our Second Chance Pell program. My primary areas of teaching and scholarship center on social stratification, qualitative research methods, families, sustainability and community food security. Putting these ideas into practice, I’ve been active in a variety of social justice and sustainability efforts.

I am a proud alum of two SUNYs (BA Oswego, PhD UAlbany) and granddaughter of blue-collar union leaders in Troy, NY. I first became involved in graduate school with the Graduate Students Employees Union (GSEU) in the mid-1990s, where I saw the power of the union first-hand.

Now I am proud to serve as an elected Delegate to the governing body of UUP, bringing your questions and concerns to our statewide leadership.

In addition, as our chapter’s Membership Officer, I work with our President and VPs to build and organize our chapter.

Unions are essential for ensuring protections and ongoing improvements in working conditions across the board – from service/retail sectors to the building trades to information/tech professions, to name just a few. We are all workers! Being involved in a union enables us to reach back and help those who follow and those who are most vulnerable among us.

Here are two examples that are important to me. First, when I had my first child in 2005, there was no parental leave apart from the unpaid FMLA. I joined others in grappling with myriad ad hoc arrangements that often created resentments among colleagues and/or required overloads or other demands during pregnancy or while parenting an infant.

I joined other UUPers across the state in pushing our negotiations team to get reasonable parental leave policies in place. After a long effort, I am proud to say our most recent contract now secures paid parental leave.

Second, UUP fights hard for our most vulnerable colleagues. The increasing reliance on contingent labor in higher education has been driven by outrageously low pay for that labor.

Our new contract won a huge victory, increasing the minimum compensation for adjunct instructors from $3,000 for a 3-credit course (exactly what I earned at UAlbany as a grad student in the ‘90s!) to $5,500-$6,000, depending on the type of campus, by 2026.

UUP is so very important right now. As NYS attempts to shrink SUNY, it threatens access to high-quality, affordable education and other services in many corners of our state. UUP gives us a collective voice in Albany and in shaping the wider landscape of higher education. Please join me to help our chapter grow and be part of the fight to restore and rebuild the SUNY system.

Labor unions helped create and strengthen the American middle class. Unions have provided crucial benefits to workers, through their collective bargaining; efforts in worker safety and protection; skills development and training; legal and political advocacy; and, consequently, their contribution to social and economic equality.

Although the income gap in the USA and most of the world is sinful, it was greater in the past and would be bigger now if not for the efforts of labor unions. Unions contributed to social and economic equality, which, in my opinion, is their greatest achievement.

I was fortunate to be born into a union family. My paternal grandfather, James Conley (Connolly) was an early member of the Teamsters Union. He delivered wool within the City of Boston, driving a horse-drawn buggy. My maternal great-grandfather was a leader in the Cigar Makers’ Union, which thrived from 1863 to 1925. His friend and colleague Samuel Gompers was an innovative leader in the Cigar Makers’ Union who later went on to be a founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL).

Gompers worked to strengthen labor unions as well as to expand the benefits available to workers through their unions. The working conditions and wages of cigar makers varied dramatically, but he strove for equality among workers, saying: "One of the main objects of the organization . . . is the elevation of the lowest paid worker to the standard of the highest, and in time we may secure for every person in the trade an existence worthy of human beings.”

More recently, my father was an officer in one of the Boston chapters of the AFL-CIO. Most of my twelve uncles were union members, several assuming leadership roles.

Along with public higher education, labor unions dramatically enhanced the quality of life for individuals around the globe. My own family story shows some of that impact. Our parents, aunts, and uncles were children of the Great Depression, when high school graduation rates were low. Thanks to the positive impacts of labor unions, their children were able to complete much higher levels of education before beginning their careers. Among my many cousins, all but a few attended four-year universities. My siblings and I all attended public institutions of higher education, then we continued into graduate or professional schools and became union members ourselves.

That degree of change in just one generation could not have happened without labor unions’ efforts to foster social and economic equality through a range of benefits to workers.

I began my union activism in graduate school, as treasurer of the Teaching Assistants’ Association (TAA). There, I learned about the importance of mobilizing a union’s membership during the successful culmination of a ten-year battle to win a tuition waiver for graduate assistants at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During my time with the TAA, I also learned about the importance of a union to build community, to protect faculty and professional staff from the whims of corporate-style university administration, and to defend the professionalism of university workers in the face of a higher educational system that increasingly seeks to undermine it.

Unions have helped my family and me in material ways. Some of our most basic protections in the workplace are the result of the work, often met with violent retaliation and suppression, to which our forbears committed themselves. For starters, unions brought us the weekend and the concept of a forty-hour work week. More specifically, during my time in Wisconsin, the TAA had won paid health insurance that was superior to that of the non-union faculty, as well as wages for adjunct work that exceeded $5,000 per class in the 1990s.

Since my wife, Lynn Hall, and I came to Potsdam, we have been under the protection of the UUP’s successful fight to maintain the tenure system during each contract negotiation when management tried to impose post-tenure review. As unionized State of New York employees, we benefit from good health insurance, including dental and vision, as well as a strong retirement system. We are also protected from arbitrary discipline by management and provided with a predictable system for promotion and continuing appointment.

Our UUP Chapter might also contribute to a sense of community among Potsdam workers that can reinforce our union’s role in the workplace. In our present period of difficulties – with SUNY suffering a steady long-term decline in state support, the nation emerging from a once-in-a-century pandemic that has disrupted educational patterns, and SUNY Potsdam struggling under the weight of a political, not structural, deficit – the UUP has never been more critical to health of our college.

As Chapter President, in addition to fighting for more funding for the college and defending public higher education and our members’ rights under the contract, I am trying to reconnect the union to our bargaining unit, the people whom the UUP represents at Potsdam. I want our members to feel that the union is something that they are part of and not a vaguely understood entity that is only called upon when needed. To this end, I hope to institute social events, such as Trivia Nights and UUP mixers, that bring us together as a community, the way that the TAA brought UW-Madison graduate employees together in the 1990s. To build that community, we need to leave work behind as we gather to enjoy each others’ company and build ties of friendship that transcend the workplace.

In turn, a robust community will give us greater strength to continue the fight in the workplace to protect our jobs, our rights, and our college against SUNY administration’s determination to deny access for less affluent New Yorkers to a reasonably-price college education – in the discipline and at the campus of their choice.

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Chapter President - Kevin Smith

VP for Academics - Jan Trybula

VP for Professionals - John Cote'

Treasurer - Lauren Jackson-Beck

Secretary - Walter Conley

Membership Development officer - Heather Sullivan-Catlin

Membership officer - Marc Leuthold

Publications officer - Jennifer Mitchell

Officer for Retirees - Jeff Reeder

Political Action officer - Patrick O'Brien

Contingents officer - Laura Fair-Schultz

Additional Committee members &/or Delegates:

Laura Rhoads

Lynn Hall

Jay Pecora

If your department or office is not represented in this list, please contact our Membership Development Officer, Heather Sullivan-Catlin at heathersullivancatlin@gmail.com to discuss finding a rep.

School of Education & Professional Studies

• Advanced Studies in Education - Lynn Hall - Delegate
• Business Administration - Tony Betrus
• Community Health & Human Performance - Kathy O’Rourke

School of Arts & Sciences

• Anthropology - Jaimin D. Weets
• Art - Amy Swartele
• Biology - Walter Conley
• Chemistry - Clifford Rossiter
• English & Communication - Jennifer Mitchell
• History - Axel Fair-Schultz
• Libraries (Crumb and Crane) and LoCAL - Lauren Jackson-Beck
• Mathematics - Joel Foisy
• Modern Languages - Lora Lunt
• Politics - Daniel S. Lempert
• Psychology - Jim Fryer
• Sociology & Criminal Justice - Heather Sullivan-Catlin - Delegate
• Theater & Dance - Jay Pecora - Delegate

Crane School of Music

• Performance - Casey Grev

Professional Offices

• Advancement - Peter Cutler
• CCI - Steven Canning
• Environmental Health & Safety - Patrick O’Brien

Email: Potsdam@uupmail.org
Website: uuppotsdam.org
Location: SUNY Potsdam - UUP Office

44 Pierrepont Ave, 234 Mac Vicar Hall, Potsdam, NY 13676

Phone: 3152673177
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UUPPotsdam/

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