Report by Jim Werner
I attended NYSUT’s annual Community College Conference in Saratoga Springs on November 7-9, at the Gideon Putnam Hotel; I was joined by our VP and Grievance Chair Deirdre Verne (picture above). Each year, this event brings together union representatives from across Educational District 39 (ED39), the SUNY and CUNY community colleges affiliated with NYSUT, to discuss issues affecting the working conditions of our profession and on our campuses.
On the first evening, after initial remarks by outgoing ED39 President Roberta Elins, NYSUT President Melinda Person spoke about recent electoral successes, as well as NYSUT legislative wins this year (bills mandating a faculty member on the Board of Trustees at community colleges, and regulating the use of artificial intelligence on campuses, etc.). While she recognized the difficult times that lay ahead for the State economically, she laid out broad strokes for NYSUT’s continued efforts to “Fix Tier Six” (with a rally in Albany planned for March 8) and a revenue campaign called “Fair Share NY” with tax increases on the ultra-wealthy. The keynote speaker was Gary Rhoades, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Arizona; his topic was “Organizing Professionals: Academic Employees Negotiating a New Academy,” based on his forthcoming book on the topic.
The second day of the conference featured three breakout sessions; I moderated one on “Credit and Contact Hours: Teaching Load for Full-Time/ Part-Time Members,” and attended another on “Local Political Outreach and External Relations—Preparing Your Membership” and a third on “Community College Finances,” led by NYSUT’s Jake Crawford. All three sessions were rich in useful information and provoked highly productive discussion, for me especially the one on Political Outreach (given our current VOTE COPE campaign and relationship building with our County legislators). Following this was a meeting of the ED39 locals, and a dinner honoring the NYSUT Higher Education Member of the Year (Laura Murphy, President of Dutchess Community College United Educators). The third was devoted, as has been the case for the past several years, to a “Speed-Dating” event, featuring 10-minute mini-presentations by speakers on topics including VOTE-COPE, resources for adjuncts at the Fashion Institute of Technology, planning for retirement, social justice committees, and how to lobby your local elected representatives.
Once again, as in previous years, I found this to be a terrific union event, providing opportunities to meet with members of locals at other community colleges, compare notes on the challenges we’re facing and successful strategies for advocacy and collective action. I would love to bring a larger contingent next year, so if you’re interested, please let me know!
