UNITED UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONS
2008 Spring Delegate Assembly
Highlights and Resolutions
The 2008 Spring Delegate Assembly was called to order by President Phillip H. Smith at 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 2, 2008 in the King Street Ballroom of the Desmond Hotel, Albany, New York.
In Pre-Plenary Activities:
- Delegates, Committee members and Observers attended a Budget Rally at the Capitol from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
- Academic Delegates held panel discussions on Academic Programs and Academic Issues.
- Professional Delegates held panel discussions on Performance Programs and Evaluations and on Promotions and Salary Increases.
- All DA attendees were invited to attend a presentation by Dr. Lillian Taiz, President of the California Faculty Association, on The California Model for Organizing.
In the Friday evening Plenary Session, Delegates heard the reports of President Phil Smith, Treasurer Rowena Blackman-Stroud, Vice President for Academics Fred Floss and Vice President for Professionals John Marino. Delegates adopted the 2008 – 2009 UUP Budget.
- Delegates adopted a Resolution Congratulating Unite Local 471
Whereas, Unite Local 471 has successfully organized and is now negotiating with the management of the Saratoga Hotel in Saratoga Springs; and
Whereas, this adds another union hotel in New York; be it
Resolved, that UUP send its congratulations to our brothers and sisters at Unite #471, and commend the management of the Saratoga Hotel for working cooperatively with Unite #471.
- Delegates adopted a Resolution of Apology to Peter Martineau
That UUP apologize to Peter Martineau, who was doing his job in the matter of
the Buffalo listserv.
MOTION ADOPTED
At the Friday night Delegate Assembly dinner:
- Delegates honored Dr. Lillian Taiz, President of the California Faculty Association.
- Delegates recognized and honored Ed Drummond for his leadership and service to UUP as Chair of the Affirmative Action Committee.
- Delegates honored Kathleen Bonds for her leadership as Chair of the EOP Committee.
- Journalism Awards were given in the following categories:
General Excellence
Best in Class The Cortland Cause Editor: Karla Alwes
Award of Merit (tie) Binghamton Connection Editor: George McKee
Stony Brook Insight Editors: Diane Rodriguez/
Dawn Svoboda-Pappas
Honorable Mention Oswego In Touch Editor: Donald Masterson
Best Feature Story
Best in Class The Cortland Cause “The Scholar Rhodes,”
by Karla Alwes
Award of Merit Stony Brook Insight “Back to business in the Big Easy,”
by Joan Dickinson
Best Editorial or Column
Best in Class Oneonta Sentinel “College upon a hill,”
by William Simons
Award of Merit The Cortland Cause “Voting on a new contract,”
by Lawrence Ashley
Best Art or Photo
Best in Class The Cortland Cause “UUP Cortland at the State Fair,”
courtesy of Brian Tappen, Upstate
Award of Merit Stony Brook Insight “Scenes from the 2007 Annual
Dinner Dance”
Best Web Site
Best in Class Purchase www.uuphost.org/purchase
Webmaster: Ryan Nassisi
Award of Merit Cortland www.uuphost.org/cortland
Webmaster: Boodie McGinnis
Honorable Mention Stony Brook HSC www.uuphost.org/stonybrookhsc
Webmaster: Bruce Kube
After dinner, Delegates participated in the Candidates Forum.
At the Saturday Plenary, Delegates elected:
- Fred Floss (Buffalo State), Vice President for Academics
- John Marino (Stony Brook HSC), Vice President for Professionals
- Rowena Blackman-Stroud (Brooklyn HSC), Treasurer
- Executive Board, Technical College:
Raul Huerta (Morrisville)
- Executive Board Academics:
Jamie Dangler (Cortland)
Peter D.G. Brown (New Paltz)
- Executive Board Professionals:
Philippe Abraham (Albany)
Carolyn Kube (Stony Brook HSC)
- Delegates adopted by acclamation a Resolution thanking departing Executive Board members
A Special Order of Business: A Resolution of Appreciation for Five People Leaving the Executive Board
Whereas, Jim Fort served on the Executive Board since 2006; and
Whereas, Donald Pisani served on the Executive Board since 2006, and
Whereas; Ray Dannenhoffer served on the Executive Board since 2004; and
Whereas, Candelario Kiko Franco served on the Executive Board since 2002; and
Whereas, Lorna Arrington served on the Executive Board since 1995; and
Whereas, during their service Lorna, Kiko, Ray, Donald and Jim, when expressing their views, always kept the best interests of the UUP membership in the forefront; and
Whereas, Lorna Arrington, Kiko Franco, Ray Dannenhoffer, Don Pisani and Jim Fort will not be continuing their service on the Executive Board after today’s elections; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Delegate Assembly recognize and thank each of them for their years of distinguished service to UUP as members of the Executive Board.
MOTION ADOPTED BY ACCLAMATION
- Delegates voted to refer the Constitutional Amendment to Establish a Retiree Chapter back to the Executive Board.
- Delegates voted to amend the Agenda to omit both the Reports of the Secretary and of the Membership Development Officer so that time-sensitive resolutions could be brought to the body.
- Delegates adopted four resolutions recommended by the Executive Board to be brought to the AFT convention:
A Resolution to Strengthen Title IX
Whereas, Title IX (enacted in 1972) was the first comprehensive federal law to prohibit sex discrimination against students and employees of educational institutions; and,
Whereas, under this law, males and females are expected to receive fair and equal treatment in all arenas of public schooling: recruitment, admissions, educational programs and activities, course offerings and access, counseling, financial aid, employment assistance, facilities and housing, health and insurance benefits, marital and parental status, scholarships, sexual harassment and athletics; and,
Whereas, in spite of the benefits Title IX has provided since 1972, it has been challenged in recent years and enforcement has been weakened by such acts as the US Department of Education announcing plans for changing Title IX to allow for sorting students by sex into separate classes or separate schools; and.
Whereas, another recent change allows schools to define women’s sport opportunities based on a single e-mail survey to potential participants; and
Whereas, girls and women are still isolated and excluded by the culture of the Science, Technology, and Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields which often results in discouraging them from pursuing the higher paying careers.
Resolved, that UUP ask AFT to initiate and support efforts to protect and strengthen Title IX by:
- pursuing the federal government to expand oversight of Title IX enforcement and to increase resources and incentives for research and development of effective gender equity programs;
- advocating for correcting the problems in co-education environments rather than setting up more classes separated by gender;
- opposing sex-based educational tracks that persistently direct girls towards gender stereotyped courses that limit them to lower paying careers;
- seeking federal oversight over schools whose obligation it is to have policies and procedures in place to address sexual harassment complaints; and
- encouraging the monitoring of compliance with Title IX in local schools.
A Resolution in Support of Organizing Workers at the Smithfield Packing Plant
Whereas, the Smithfield Packing plant in Tar Heel, N.C. is the largest pork processor in the world, employing more than 5,000 workers slaughtering more than 32,000 hogs a day; and
Whereas, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union is involved in a bitter 14-year struggle to organize the workers in this facility; and
Whereas, Smithfield Packing, Inc. has twice been found by the NLRB to have violated worker rights in two earlier union recognition campaigns; and
Whereas, the workers in Tar Heel are now engaged in a third effort to organize for collective bargaining representation with the UFCW and need all the support they can get from working people everywhere to overcome management resistance; therefore be it
Resolved, that AFT supports justice for workers at Smithfield Packing, Inc. in their efforts to organize themselves into a union; and be it further
Resolved, that AFT supply its locals with materials to inform and educate its members about the working conditions at Smithfield and ways to be informed consumers to avoid products made at Tar Heel (see www.smithfieldjustice.com), and encourage members to be proactive in the pursuit of justice for Smithfield workers; and be it further
Resolved, that AFT contact Smithfield Foods, the parent company, and request that management in Tar Heel stop all forms of abuse, intimidation and violence against its workers and respect the rights of its workers at Tar Heel to a safe place to work with dignity and respect and the protection of a union contract; and be it further
Resolved, that AFT communicate this resolution to its NEA affiliate with a request that this affiliate take appropriate action to support the Smithfield workers.
A Resolution of Support for Randi Weingarten
Whereas, UFT President Randi Weingarten announced that she will be a candidate for president of our national affiliate the AFT; and
Whereas, Weingarten has a reputation as a staunch advocate for the rights of her members and those they serve; and
Whereas, Weingarten is a staunch supporter of public higher education; therefore be it
Resolved, that members of the 2008 Spring Delegate Assembly of UUP fully support and encourage Randi Weingarten’s candidacy for the office of president of the AFT.
A Resolution in Support of Faculty Governance and Academic Freedom at RPI
Whereas, faculty governance is the bedrock on which higher education in the United States is founded; and
Whereas, Provost Robert Palazzo and President Shirley Ann Jackson of RPI have suspended the faculty senate at RPI after an impasse about the definition and qualifications of “voting faculty;” and
Whereas, the RPI Board of Trustees has taken the extraordinary step of interfering in the composition and the running of the RPI faculty senate after the faculty had clearly spoken; and
Whereas, an attack on faculty governance at RPI is an attack on governance at all institutions of higher education; therefore be it
Resolved, that UUP ask AFT to go on record as strongly opposing the actions of the RPI president, provost and Board of Trustees with respect to their suspension of the RPI faculty senate; and be it further
Resolved, that UUP convey its outrage at this attack on academic freedom and governance to the appropriate parties.
- Delegates adopted a USLAW Resolution for the AFT National Convention from the Labor and Higher Education and Solidarity Committees:
Whereas, at its 2006 national convention the AFT went on record opposing the war in Iraq and calling for the rapid end of the war and occupation; and
Whereas, the war and occupation have continued nonetheless for the past two years; and
Whereas, ending the war will require concerted organizational effort following resolutions of intent; and
Whereas, UUP is a charter member of US Labor Against the War (USLAW) in order to give organizational force to its commitment to end the war; and
Whereas, many other AFT locals around the country are also members of USLAW;
therefore be it
Resolved, that UUP submit to the upcoming AFT national convention the following resolution:
Whereas, at its 2006 national convention the AFT went on record opposing the war in Iraq and calling for the rapid end of the war and occupation; and
Whereas, the war and occupation have continued nonetheless for the past two years; and
Whereas, ending the war will require concerted organizational effort following resolutions of intent; and
Whereas, US Labor Against the War (USLAW) is the organizational vehicle for the labor movement to pursue the end of the war and occupation in Iraq, and includes over 160 union locals, central labor councils, regional organizations, state federations, and internationals, representing over 4.5 million workers; and
Whereas, 26 AFT affiliates, including UUP, PSC, UTLA, and the California, Oregon, and Wisconsin state federations of teachers are members of USLAW to give organizational force to their resolutions of intent to end the war; therefore be it
Resolved, that the AFT reaffirms its opposition to the war and occupation in Iraq and affiliates with US Labor Against the War to strengthen the organizational capacity of the labor movement to succeed in this effort.
- Delegates adopted a Resolution for the NY State AFL-CIO Convention to Strengthen Opposition to the War in Iraq from the Labor and Higher Education and Solidarity Committees:
Resolved, that UUP submit to the New York state convention of the AFL-CIO meeting this August the following resolution:
Whereas, the AFL-CIO has voted in national convention to oppose the war and continuing occupation in Iraq and to call for the rapid withdrawal of all forces from that country; and
Whereas, US Labor Against the War (USLAW) is the organizational vehicle for building the labor movement’s opposition to the war as a practical force; and
Whereas, USLAW has over 160 affiliated union locals, central labor councils, regional bodies, international unions, and state federations of labor, including Connecticut, Maryland/DC, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wisconsin, representing over 4.5 million workers; therefore be it
Resolved, that the New York state AFL-CIO expresses its opposition to the war and occupation in Iraq and calls for the immediate start to the full and safe withdrawal of all US forces and military bases from Iraq; and be it further
Resolved, that the New York state AFL-CIO join United University Professions and the other USLAW affiliates in New York state and its sister state feds in affiliation with US Labor Against the War to strengthen the organizational capacity of the labor movement to succeed in this effort.
- Delegates adopted a Resolution on the Iraq Special Appropriation from the Labor and Higher Education and Solidarity Committees:
Whereas, the war in Iraq continues unabated despite the will of the American people; and
Whereas, UUP has repeatedly called for the immediate start of withdrawal of all troops and bases from Iraq; and
Whereas, the US Congress will soon consider yet another “supplemental appropriation” for the war amounting to over $140 billion that will continue the war and occupation at least through the start of 2009; and
Whereas, war funding is a major impediment to labor’s domestic economic agenda because the continuing astronomical costs of the war are starving federal funding for constructive social programs at the center of labor’s agenda, including education, health care, housing, and infrastructure; and
Whereas, UUP is a charter and continuing member of US Labor Against the War (USLAW); and
Whereas, USLAW has called on its member unions to oppose the new “special appropriation” and contact our Congress members to urge them to oppose the continued funding of the war and support the troops by bringing them home and taking care of them when they return, therefore be it
Resolved, that UUP reaffirms our support for the troops serving in Iraq by calling for the immediate start of their complete and safe withdrawal from Iraq; and be it further
Resolved, that UUP go on record as opposing the new “special appropriation” or any further funding for the war and occupation in Iraq except for all necessary funds for the immediate start and rapid completion of the full and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces and military bases from Iraq and for the full funding of veteran needs when they return; and be it further
Resolved, that UUP communicate this decision to the New York Congressional delegation and our affiliates in time to register our view before the coming vote on the supplemental appropriation.
- Adopted a Resolution Recommending Support of H.R. 676 to the AFT and to the NY State AFL-CIO Conventions from the Nursing Professions Work Group and the Labor and Higher Education and Solidarity Committees:
Whereas, UUP has been a proud supporter of single payer health care since 1994; and
Whereas, UUP has endorsed H.R. 676, the “Improved, Expanded Medicare for All” bill sponsored by Congressman John Conyers, Jr. and co-sponsored by 90 members of Congress; and
Whereas, UUP has endorsed our taking leadership in the labor movement to advocate for passage of H.R. 676; therefore be it
Resolved, that UUP bring the following resolution in support of H.R. 676 to the upcoming New York State AFL-CIO Convention:
Whereas, H.R. 676, the Improved, Expanded Medicare for All bill sponsored by Congressman John Conyers and co-sponsored by 90 other members of Congress is the only realistic way out of the health care quagmire we find ourselves in; and
Whereas, over 400 union locals, Central Labor Councils, international unions and State AFL-CIO Federations have endorsed H.R. 676; therefore be it
Resolved, that the New York State AFL-CIO now proudly endorses H.R. 676.
Resolved, that UUP bring the following resolution in support of H.R. 676 to the upcoming AFT Convention in Chicago:
Whereas, H.R. 676, the Improved, Expanded Medicare for All bill sponsored by Congressman John Conyers and co-sponsored by 90 other members of Congress is the only realistic way out of the health care quagmire we find ourselves in; and
Whereas, over 400 union locals, Central Labor Councils, international unions and State AFL-CIO Federations have endorsed H.R. 676; and therefore be it
Whereas, UUP, PSC-CUNY and numerous other AFT locals are proud endorsers of H.R. 676; therefore be it
Resolved, that AFT now proudly endorses H.R. 676.
- Adopted a Resolution in Support of the New York State Fair Pay Act from the Women’s Rights and Concerns Committee:
Whereas, the social injustice of unequal pay for comparable work continues, oppressing women and minority workers; and
Whereas, a May 2007 Supreme Court decision against Lilly Ledbetter has disallowed her suit against Goodyear, a corporation which, over decades, deprived her of tens of thousands of dollars, paying her approximately 79 cents to every dollar earned by her male peers, thereby perpetuating the injustice of unequal pay; and
Whereas, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill intended to remedy the 2007 decision by the Roberts Court, but the Senate was unable to end a filibuster that kept the bill from a Senate vote; and
Whereas, in the smaller arena of New York State, the New York State Fair Pay Act, pending in the Senate, aims to guarantee the fundamental civil right of equal pay for comparable work; and
Whereas, on April 14, State Senator Craig M. Johnson moved to have the Fair Pay Act moved out of the Senate Labor Committee and onto the Senate floor, but his motion was voted down on party lines; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Delegate Assembly request that President Smith contact Senator Johnson to discuss strategies for successful passage of this bill; and be it further
Resolved, that President Smith contact all 15 members of the Senate Labor Committee to encourage them to move the bill to the Senate floor for successful passage; and be it further
Resolved, that President Smith contact media, including regional and national newspapers and radio and television stations to ensure that this issue is thoroughly reported to the public; and take any other actions, in conjunction with UUP affiliates, he considers necessary to gain passage of this bill.
- Adopted a Resolution in Support of the Updated GI Bill from Women’s Rights and Concerns Committee:
Whereas, increasing numbers of women are returning as veterans from the wars and occupations in the Middle East and Central Asia; and,
Whereas, many of these veterans wish to attend college on the GI bill, which, today, offers only $1100 per month for 36 months to military veterans and $440 per month to reservists (including those who have served in Iraq); and,
Whereas, to improve this situation, Senator Jim Webb (Democrat, Virginia) has introduced an updated GI bill to provide all veterans with sufficient funds to attend college at a public institution of higher education plus -- similar to the benefits granted to returning veterans of World War II: and
Whereas, this bill is not being supported by the President, the Pentagon, and the presumptive Republican Presidential nominee; therefore be it hereby
Resolved, that UUP request that President Smith write a statement of support for this bill, contact UUP’s affiliates to join publicly in its support, send the statement to the legislative leaders of the House and the Senate, and make the statement available for publication in all appropriate venues.
The 2008 Spring Delegate Assembly adjourned at 2:30 p.m.