September/October2016

Volume 8, I ssue 1

FredUUP

Once again, as the President of UUP Fredonia Chapter, it gives me great pleasure to write an article in our Newsletter. We are almost in the middle of our fall 2016 semester. Yet, I am sure we are all quite busy and looking forward to the fall break next week. I hope you will enjoy this short break. While I wish you an enjoyable break we have been alarmed about the developments that have taken place. As you all know the enrollment at SUNY Fredonia has been down. The highest number of students enrolled at Fredonia was 5769 in 2010. In 2015 the number was about 4856, and in the 2016 academic year the number is down to 4612. As compared to fall 2015, the current enrollment is down by 4.8% (4,612/ -233) in headcount. Thus, the enrollment has been down close to 22% in the last six years. Due to the decline in the enrollment, several departments had to make cutbacks in their course offerings; Fredonia has been reducing its services; even the Student Club budgets have been cut. To help alleviate the problem UUP Fredonia Chapter along with the UUP Outreach committee were actively engaged in several Outreach activities. Our activities yielded 18 million additional dollars to SUNY. Yet that is not enough to cover our losses. Given that the student recruitment has not been going well, I am afraid that we may probably be faced with even more difficult times and soon we will find more hard-working adjunct faculty being let go. While we have been going through difficult times, our country will be electing a new President. This election is very important for all of us, and especially to the public educators like us. On one hand, we have a candidate who is well-known to be progressive, pro-union and a strong supporter of public education and already advocated free tuition for higher education students; on the other hand we have a supporter of private education but we know very few details.

~ Ziya Arnavut, UUP Fredonia Chapter President

President’s Message

Contents

President’s Message 1

New Benefits 2

Labor Week 2

Rock the Vote! 3

Scholarship Fund 3

Award Winners 4

Membership Meeting 4

Spring and Fall DA’s 5

Retirees Dinner 6

What are your Rights? 6

Labor Management Meetings 7-9

Elections Matter 10

Member Benefits 11

Local Leadership 12

Ziya Arnavut, Chapter Pres ident

Mel issa S idor, Chapter V ice -Pres ident for Profess ionals

Cynthia Smith, Chapter V ice -Pres ident for Academics

Events

Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2016

Fall DA in Albany

October 5, 2016 Executive Board Meeting

November 7, 2016

Executive Board Meeting

United University Professions

Fredonia Chapter

Newsletter

Two New Huge Voluntary Benefits

UUP Member Services Trust

Effective January 1, 2017, the Member Services Trust Voluntary Dental and Vision Programs will be expanded to offer these plans to –

Surviving spouses of UUP members

Surviving domestic partners of UUP members

Aged-out dependents can be covered until age 29!

Additionally, the new Voluntary Dental program will allow UUP members to choose from two dental coverage plans – the Delta Dental PPO plan or the Delta DHMO plan. Both programs are offered on a national level.

If you have any questions regarding the new enhancements to the Member Services Voluntary Dental and Vision Programs, contact the UUP Member Services Trust at 1-800-887-3863.

UUP Hyatt Legal Plan Enrollment Plan - Protect yourself with affordable Hyatt Group Legal Services. The Hyatt Legal Plan provides you, your spouse and dependents with fully covered legal services from attorneys experienced in estate planning documents, civil suits, adoption, identity theft and much more. There is a payroll deduction of $15.75/month or $21.75/month for the plan that includes your parents/parents-in-law. You save hundreds over typical attorney fees…with no co-pays, no claim forms or usage limits when using a plan attorney. Choose from more than 14,000 attorneys nationwide.

Please stay tuned…we are planning to bring a representative on campus soon!

Labor Day Week! The Labor Day week of activities was packed with enthusiasm and activism that rejuvenated us to continue our union work. Thanks to the membership, campus, and community for attending. If you did not get a chance to participate, here are a few of the events that you missed: Monday, September 5 – Labor Day - Rally in the Commons! Our chapter members participated in our second rally to commemorate a New York State born and bred holiday, Labor Day. Labor Day was first celebrated on September 5, 1892 with a parade in New York City. Fast forward 124 years later, we are still marching and celebrating labor unions. It was a beautiful sunny day to sing Solidarity Forever from University Commons to Barker Common. Hope to see YOU next year! Basket winner: Community unionist- Jeb Frise. Tuesday, September 6 - UUP and NYSUT Benefits Day There were NYSUT and UUP benefit representatives available in McEwen Hall to answer member’s questions. Basket winner: Jonathan Cox, Mathematical Sciences

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Participants at the Rally!

Wednesday, September 7 – Union Movie & Presentation: Triangle Fire One attendee stated that viewing the movie, Triangle Fire, was a “life changing” experience. The discussion that followed, which was led by Ellen Litwicki, Professor, History Department, provided us an in-depth discussion about safe working conditions and labor unions. Basket winners: Faculty Members from Campus

UUP – Rock the Vote Campaign

The goal of Rock the Vote is to register as many student voters as possible and increase student civic participation in a non-partisan manner. In that regard, UUP wants us to be a resource for advice and general support in our local chapters. We have scheduled three dates at McEwen Hall’s information tables, from 10am – 3pm to ROCK THE VOTE! We will have available voter registration forms, absentee ballot forms, basic information on each candidate, along with refreshments and promotional giveaways.

Tuesday, October 4th (UUP will hand deliver any collected registration

forms to our local Board of Elections located at 7 N. Erie Street, Mayville,

NY 14757 by Wednesday, October 5th at 8:30pm.

Thursday, October 6th

Tuesday, October 11th (again UUP will hand deliver the completed

registration forms to our local Board of Elections by Wednesday,

October 12th at 4:30pm)

You too can participate by mentioning in your classrooms to our students to stop by McEwen and register.

Give To UUP Scholarship Fund

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You can now give to the UUP College Scholarship Fund through the State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA). When you receive the SEFA Pledge and Payroll Deduction

Authorization form in your paycheck, simply enter Charity #999-02156. Your donation will help SUNY undergraduate and post baccalaureate students fulfill their

dreams of a college education. UUP College Scholarships are one-time awards of $3,000. And please encourage our students to apply. For more information, go to

http://www.sefanys.org

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Sandra Lewis

Retired Member Tom Morrissey

On September 30, 2016 during the UUP Fall Delegate Assembly meeting, a History Department, Emeritus Distinguished Professor, Tom Morrissey was awarded the Pearl H. Brod Outstanding Retiree Award. “Tom truly embodies the values this award symbolizes,” said COARM Chair Jo Schaffer of Cortland. “Not only is Tom being recognized for his community participation as well. He exemplifies all of the criteria required for this annual award.”

Congratulations Tom!

Member Anne Fearman

On September 30, 2016 during the UUP Fall Delegate Assembly meeting, English Department, Adjunct Lecturer, Anne Fearman was awarded the Courageous Service by Part-Time Academic Faculty, Fayez Samuel Award. This award recognizes members of UUP who have served their union with courage and distinction, and whose service reflects contributions to UUP at the state and local level.

Anne Fearman is a part-time English Department Lecturer who has on countless instances made personal and professional sacrifices to promote the cause of contingents on our campus.

Congratulations Anne!

UUP Fredonia Fall Membership Meeting & Social Gathering

Ziya Arnavut selling 50/50 tickets. Guests enjoying dinner.

The UUP Fredonia Chapter held its annual Fall Membership Meeting and Social Gathering on Saturday, September 10th at the Clarion Hotel in Dunkirk, NY.

About 75 adults and 8 children attended the event. Fredonia State Music students Andrew Paratore, Jesse Torres and John Tocco provided the music for the event.

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2016 UUP Spring Delegate Assembly

At the UUP Spring Delegate Assembly held on May 13 - 14, 2016 at the Saratoga Hilton in Saratoga, NY, our local Fredonia Chapter won the following awards from the UUP statewide communication office:

Award of Merit - FredUUP Newsletter for Outstanding Achievement in the Category of Best Editorial or

Column, “Why We Fight for a Living Wage,” September/October 2015 written by Leonard Jacuzzo and Bruce Simon.

Award of Merit - FredUUP Newsletter for Outstanding Achievement in the Category of Best Layout/Use

of Graphics or Photos, “100% Union,” November/December 2015 Photographer Sandra Lewis.

Sandra Lewis and Ziya Arnavut with the awards at the DA.

2016 UUP Fall Delegate Assembly

Fredonia members at the DA Anne Fearman, Ziya Arnavut and Tom Morrissey

The UUP Fall Delegate Assembly was held September 30 – October 1, 2016 at the Desmond in

Albany, NY. Pictured on the right are Anne Fearman with the Courageous Service by Part-Time Academic Faculty Award and Tom Morrissey with the Pearl H. Brod Outstanding Retiree Award.

Congratulations to Anne and Tom for their hard work and dedication!

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UUP Fredonia Retiree and Executive Board Dinner

On May 6, 2016 newly retired Fredonia UUP members were invited by our Executive Board for a dinner at The White Inn to congratulate them for their years of service to the college and to wish them well on their retirement.

Latest Negotiations Bulletin

The latest Negotiations Bulletin, "Working under an expired contract: What is and isn't protected by Triborough," is posted on the UUP Negotiations Information section of the UUP website. Here's the direct link:

http://uupinfo.org/negotiations/pdf/NegBulletin0916.pdf

When classes are cancelled due to low enrollment, what are your rights?

Dear Colleagues, The Policies of the Board of Trustees establish rights of part-time faculty. These include the right to be given a term appointment after four consecutive semesters. Upon achieving term status, you have the right to 45 days’ notice of non-renewal. The only time this notice requirement does not apply is if the class you are assigned to is under-enrolled. (Article Xl, Title D (2) (2) (a)) Therefore, if you have received an appointment letter for a semester, your class cannot be taken from you and given to a full time faculty member who had their class cancelled due to low enrollment. If this happens, you are still entitled to be paid for the semester. If a full-time faculty member’s course is cancelled for low enrollment, their professional obligation can be adjusted, by increasing their other component obligations, or perhaps reducing their teaching load in one semester, and increasing it in the second semester. Tara Singer-Blumberg Labor Relations Specialist tsinger@nysutmail.org

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UUP Fredonia Chapter Labor Management Minutes

Date: April 5, 2016; 11:30-12:50 pm Compiled by Iclal Vanwesenbeeck

In Attendance: Mike Daley, Ziya Arnavut, Tara Singer-Blumberg, Jefferson Westwood, Ginny Horvath, Terry Brown, Derrik Decker, Iclal Vanwesenbeeck, Kevin Seitz, Caldwell Proper.

1. Discussion of March 1 Minutes: March 1, 2016 meeting minutes were approved.

2. Discussion of Bus scheduling: UUP requested an update on the evening bus schedule. The current shuttle bus goes until 7:30pm. The administration suggested that the student operated escort system could be used between 8:00pm and 3:30am, by calling the extension 4999. This service provides building to parking transportation for all campus community. Other alternatives suggested were: To start the evening escort at 7:30pm, or that there is another shuttle bus to cover 7:30-8:00pm time slot. Administration said they would investigate the cost of running the campus shuttle from 7:30 to 8 Monday-Thursday, to fill in the "gap" between when the shuttle bus now stops and when the escort bus begins. The adjustments to the schedule would likely take effect in Fall 2016.

3. Discussion of budget: UUP asked for a budget update based on the absence of tuition increase for the next AY. The administration responded that the lack of MOE, no tuition increase, and a drop in enrollment, there existed real challenges to the budget. UUP asked when there would be more clarity on the budget. The administration noted that the next six weeks were critical. They said they would offer updates on future LM meetings. The administration emphasized the importance of talking to legislators, working together as a campus to come up with our own solutions, given the lack of state-level investment. In addition, the campus budget feels the unintended consequences of state-level mandates, such as the minimum wage.

UUP asked how the administration decided whether or not to cut across the board. The administration responded that they haven’t met to discuss this yet, but that they would do it as strategically as possible, and that they would want involved governance in this.

UUP asked what the Fredonia chapter could bring forth at the next NYSUT. The administration responded that MOE and competitiveness were two things they could bring forth. On the latter, it was important for Fredonia to be able to recruit and retain the best, and therefore to be able to have the salary increases and the incentives to retain the best.

UUP confirmed that they would mention this in the NYSUT meeting.

4. Coordinator Stipend discussion: UUP asked if we could get an update on the plans for the next AY.

a. Will there be stipends for the coordinators?

Administration responded that there is need for inventory and a clear understanding of the duties for all assignments that currently have stipend and release time. Chair allocations and coordinator stipends come from different budgets, and in the case of coordinators, the institution does not make an allocation but the deans and chairs develop these coordinator positions in time. Eventually the budget-allocation for the coordinator stipends go to the deans to distribute it. Currently, most of the coordinators are in Visual Arts and Performance and Liberal Arts and Sciences. However, the administration added that the workload assignments for coordinators were not as consistently done as they were in the case of chairperson assignments. UUP asked if there was a timeline for when coordinators would be notified. Administration noted that it is currently under review and the discussions on this issue are taking place now. UUP also asked where associate chairpersons fell in this model. Administration responded that Music was the only one that received institutional allocation for the associate chairperson seat.

b. How many coordinators are there currently?

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Administration responded that there are currently 34 academic coordinators and the stipends range from $500-$4500.

c. If the positions are eliminated, who will be doing the additional work?

Administration responded that we need clarity on what administrative duties coordinators perform. UUP confirmed that it, too, asks its membership to have a clear understanding of what duties are expected in exchange for a stipend.

Administration noted that in May 2016, coordinators should know what their duties are and have workload letters.

UUP Fredonia Chapter Labor Management Minutes

Date: May 3, 2016; 11:30-1:00 pm Location: President’s Conference Room, Fenton Hall

Present: Ziya Arnavut, John Staples, Ginny Horvath, Mike Daley, Caldwell Proper, Jefferson Westwood, Missy Sidor, Derrik Decker, Tara Singer-Blumberg, Iclal Vanwesenbeeck

1. Approval of April 2016 minutes.

a. The administration will review and confirm by Friday.

2. UUP requested an update on the early retirement incentive:

a. How many people applied?

i. 2 UUP faculty have formally applied and the paperwork is underway. A 3rd is likely.

b. How will their work be covered?

i. It is too soon to tell. The paperwork details the proposal – the administration will share it when

it is available. UUP noted concern that adjuncts are not obliged to fill service roles, so the

outcome might place more burden on the remaining faculty. The administration said that it is

cognizant of this issue.

3. Update on student enrollment and its possible impact on adjunct hiring:

a. Currently ahead of last year by 20-50 deposits. However, we will not likely hit our target of 1050. We

might hit 1000. We are graduating a big class, so there will be shrinkage. We need to adjust our

expectations. Our target for next year will be 4650; last year we enrolled 4889.

b. The SEM plan, etc., takes long view to increase back to 5100-5200. We are going to plan for under 5000

students, and this will mean adjustments.

c. Will have specifics by Monday, May 9th, about cost control.

d. Some positions will be left vacant positions. The administration is committed to no layoffs and

retrenchments. We will reduce costs by attrition, restructuring, etc.

e. This will be fleshed out in budget meetings next week.

f. No details about adjuncts, etc., but if there are fewer students, there will be fewer adjuncts.

4. UUP asked about new faculty and professional hires: Is there a decision how many positions will be filled next

AY?

a. The administration advised that there is no decision yet. At this point, the operating assumption is that

there will be no new hires. This is not a hard freeze – there are going to have to be some exceptions.

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5. UUP asked how many cameras are there on campus:

a. The administration answered that there are 150.

b. UUP asked where they are located and what are they pointed at?

i. The administration replied that they are all over the campus. The purpose is safety. Most

entrances are covered. They are not pointed in windows or office doors. They are also in the

parking lots and the bookstore.

None are in private areas, unless they are part of a criminal investigation, and even then they

are not in offices, but public interior spaces. There have been two cases over past 15 years of

concealed cameras to document ongoing problems. In these cases, the cameras were approved

by the President and the relevant VPs.

There are notices wherever the cameras are.

c. UUP asked who has access to see the feeds?

i. The administration answered that it is only the University Police and one person from IT who

provides tech support. The IT person only has access when he goes to the police office to work

on them.

o The administration invited the UUP exec to tour the police office and camera system.

d. UUP asked where the new cameras that have been ordered will be installed?

i. The administration responded that these are replacements. There will be no new placements.

Tara Singer-Blumberg advised that she and Mike Daley are working on a new camera policy. It

will also address things like drones as well, requiring special permission for their use.

6. UUP questioned why three employees were recently transferred without consultation or input?

a. UUP asked if additional transfers are being planned

i. The administration responded that none are under discussion right now, but we should

anticipate more in the future.

b. Discussion followed of how the process can be improved in the future, and how to better incorporate

the employee in the process, to make for a smoother transition?

i. The administration stressed that it had no intention to mistreat employees, and is willing to

work with UUP to do better in the future. What would work better?

ii. The administration will meet with the three employees recently transferred to address any

concerns. UUP representation will also be invited to the meetings.

iii. UUP urged that as soon as decisions of this type are made, the process should immediately

become inclusive.

UUP also asked that there be transition time.

The administration said that when possible, it makes sense to make such transfers at the end of

annual review cycle.

UUP also noted that the process needs to involve the supervisors – who write performance

appraisals, etc. How does all this affect their workload?

UUP stressed/ noted that this also affects individual performance reviews – work plans need to

be adjusted accordingly.

The administration said that it is determined to get this process right.

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UNITED UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONS / PRESIDENT FREDERICK E. KOWAL, PH.D.

518.640.6600 / FAX: 518.640.6698 / WWW.UUPINFO.ORG

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New Students

SUNY Fredonia

W234 Thompson

Fredonia, NY 14063

Phone:

(716) 673-3595

Fax:

(716) 673-4746

E-mail:

fredonia@uupmail.org

We’re on the Web!

uuphost.org/Fredonia

www.fredonia.edu/uup

The union that makes SUNY work

SUNY Fredonia

W234 Thompson

Fredonia, NY 14063

United University Professions Fredonia Chapter

United University Professions Fredonia Chapter

Fredonia UUP Chapter Leadership: President: Ziya Arnavut 673-3864, Ziya.Arnavut@fredonia.edu Vice President for Professionals: Melissa Sidor 673-4826, Melissa.Sidor@fredonia.edu Vice President for Academics: Cynthia Smith 673-4658, Cynthia.Smith@fredonia.edu Secretary: John Staples 673-3277, John.Staples@fredonia.edu Treasurer: Derrik Decker 673-4757, Derrik.Decker@fredonia.edu Grievance Chair (Academics): Reneta Barneva 673-4750, Reneta.Barneva@fredonia.edu Grievance Chair (Professionals): Jefferson Westwood 673-3200, Jefferson.Westwood@fredonia.edu Membership Development Officer: Sandra A. Lewis 673-3379, Sandra.Lewis@fredonia.edu Officer for Contingents: Bruce Simon 673-3856, Bruce.Simon@fredonia.edu Affirmative Action Officer: Gurmukh Singh 673-4734, Gurmukh.Singh @fredonia.edu Retirement Concerns Officer: Malcolm Nelson 792-9405, Malcolm.Nelson@fredonia.edu Interim Amenities Officer: Joy Bilharz 673-4613, Joy.Bilharz@fredonia.edu NYSUT, Labor Relations Specialist: Tara Singer-Blumberg 634-7132, tsinger@nysutmail.org

Academic Delegates: Ziya Arnavut (Computer Science) Cynthia Smith (Curriculum & Instruction) Thomas Morrissey (History, Retired) Malcolm Nelson (English, Retired) Gerda Morrissey (Library, Retired) Joy Bilharz (Anthropology and Sociology) Bruce Simon (English) Derrik Decker (Computer Science) Gurmukh Singh (Computer Science) Ruth Antosh (World Languages and Cultures) Meral Arnavut (Mathematics)

Professional Delegates: Melissa Sidor (Communication Disorders & Sciences) Idalia Torres (Information Technology) Michael P. Gerholdt (Information Technology) Sandra A. Lewis (Information Technology)

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