ADJUNCT COMMITTEE
Chair Virginia Caputo reports:
The Adjunct Committee continues to hold information sessions for adjuncts on the second Wednesday of the month at 5:00p on Zoom. The information session held on October 8th provided an overview of the union and adjunct rights and benefits to those relatively new at the college. The information session held on November 12th provided information to those working at the extension sites and off-campus locations. The next information session will be held on December 10th, and it will be a presentation by the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS). The link to the presentation will be emailed out a few days beforehand. Here is a summary of the presentation:
Guaranteed Benefits of the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System
Even in turbulent economic times like these, you can achieve future financial strength and security by building a strong pension at NYSTRS. This presentation will provide an overview of the important benefits NYSTRS provides, with an emphasis on issues pertaining to members approaching retirement. Highlights include a review of the fundamental pension components such as service credit and final average salary, key retirement thresholds to reach for, the tools needed to maximize these benefits, retirement benefit options, and much more. Hopefully, you’ll leave our meeting with a handle on what’s needed to plan wisely on your road to retirement, as well as what costly errors to avoid along the way.The information sessions are open to all adjuncts – teaching and non-teaching, credit and non-credit, Union and non-Union members.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Chair Richard Courage reports:
This current (December 2025) issue of our union newsletter is number 36. I launched FT Connect in the spring of 2017, shortly after assuming my current position as Communications Director at the invitation of then-president Mel Bienenfeld.
In the ensuing years, I have produced an average of four issues per year—a record of which I am proud. From Bienenfeld to our current president, Jim Werner, every issue has been anchored by the president’s message, providing important information about union goals, activities, challenges, and accomplishments.
Many other union officers and members have contributed as well. All 36 issues remain available through our website. They collectively document the evolution of labor–management relations at this institution—from the notably more feisty and combative tone of early issues to the greater emphasis on strategic political involvement that characterizes more recent issues.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Presidents Bienenfeld and Werner, and to have been of some service to my union brothers and sisters.
This will be the last issue of FT Connect that I edit, since I am retiring from the College in several weeks.
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Chair Joyce Cassidy reminds:
Please find the most recent report on the PAC in this issue of WCCFT through the link: https://www.sunywccft.org/2025/12/pac-report/
We welcome new contributors and encourage all members to donate to VOTE-COPE; no amount is too small. If you are interested, please complete a VOTE-COPE form, available at http://www.sunywccft.org/2021/10/vote-cope/.”
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
Chair Robin Graff reports:
The Scholarship Committee met last week to discuss an updated application submission process. Moving forward will be finalizing the rubrics, the process, and the number and dollar amount of scholarships being offered. Many thanks to the new committee members who are volunteering their time.
