CCNY HISTORY G Lee Lorch honored Mathematician’s lifelong fight Clarıon against racism PAGE 6 NEWSPAPER OF THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF CONGRESS / CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK APRIL 2007 s r e d n a S e v a D PPSCSC PUSHES FOR CITY FUNDS CCUNYUNY AND THE COUNCILCOUNCIL Mayor Bloomberg wants to cut CUNY’s budget – but the PSC says that CUNY is DeLutro of the PSC Executive Council; between them are President Barbara already underfunded and needs more city support. Above, at the union’s leg- Bowen (left) and BMCC Chapter Chair Jane Young. On May 9, union members islative breakfast during CUNY Week, Councilman Robert Jackson listens to Iris will go to City Hall for a day of grassroots lobbying. PAGES 3 AND 5

YOUR BENEFITS CONTRACT TALKS 9/11 FALLOUT THE UNIVERSITY New adjunct Bargaining and Health risks The limits of fund begins organizing at BMCC? ‘CUNY Lite’ The Adjunct Professional Do you want a good contract What health risks might The “rebranding” of CUNY in Development Fund is an and a better University? The BMCC faculty, staff and recent years has won favor- overdue recognition of the PSC’s “My Five” network – students face due to their able coverage in the press. But professional accomplish- member-to-member organiz- proximity to Ground Zero? will this strategy reverse the ments of CUNY’s part-time ing to strengthen the union Clarion talks with an expert damage done by years of cuts faculty. PAGE 8 – invites you to join. PAGE 4 to get the facts. PAGE 7 in public funding? PAGE 11

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS G NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION G AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS G NYC CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL G NYS AFL-CIO G NEW YORK STATE UNITED TEACHERS 2 NEWS & LETTERS Clarion | April 2007

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | WRITE TO: CLARION/PSC, 61 BROADWAY, 15TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10006. E-MAIL: [email protected]. FAX: (212) 302-7815. Time for tuition waivers at CUNY G Have my eyes deceived me?!? too late to do any good for me, as my as an observer the negotiation ses- dollars” they are worth quite a bit, I date. The PSC urges members to I was reading through the new is- only child is already in college, but sion at which we will present our ar- asked for an investigation and was check their account statements reg- sue of Clarion, specifically the list of there are hundreds, perhaps thou- guments for tuition waivers. promised a response by mid-Febru- ularly – particularly now, in light of contract demands, and I happened sands of others who can benefit ary. That has not yet happened. TIAA-CREF’s recent problems. to spot #24, “Tuition Waivers.” from such a provision. (The person assigned to my prob- If you do find a problem with your I never thought I’d live to see the Peter Dodenhoff TIAA-CREF problems lem did say that he had been sick for account, call TIAA-CREF’s New day! For decades I have been carp- John Jay College G Like many others I received a let- a week – seven weeks ago!) York office at (800) 842-2011. If the ing about the lack of a tuition-waiv- ter in January, creating for my ben- An April 6 conversation uncov- problem remains unresolved, con- er provision in our contracts. It Anne Friedman of the PSC negotiat- efit four TIAA-CREF accounts ered no records of my prior contacts tact the PSC. makes no sense that small private ing team responds: Thank you for instead of two. The explanation was with TIAA-CREF and no idea where There has been growing concern colleges, often in consortium with your enthusiastic support of con- that I had “multiple employers.” As the missing payments might have among PSC members about the in- one another, offer tuition waivers or tract demand #24. As you cogently I’ve worked only at CUNY for 39+ gone. (One person suggested I creasing number of problems en- abatements for the immediate fami- argue, tuition waivers are standard years, I thought this odd. Moreover, should obtain Delaware’s records!) countered by many members in lies of employees, while we, the em- at many colleges and universities TIAA-CREF listed me at Hunter – Brightly I was told that my NYC TIAA-CREF. The March 22 PSC Del- ployees of America’s largest urban across the country. Management not at Lehman where I’ve worked personal investment advisor would egate Assembly approved a resolu- public university system, have no will also benefit from such a provi- since 1968! undoubtedly solve my problems. tion from the Retirees Chapter, which such provision. How are we to con- sion, as it will foster recruitment After more than 40 phone calls to TIAA-CREF needs to prove that it cites TIAA-CREF’s late payments, er- tinue to attract the best and bright- and retention of faculty and attract TIAA-CREF, I’ve spoken to nine dif- is not is as dysfunctional as its rors in account statements, poor cus- est – in terms of both staff and a new cohort of students to the Uni- ferent people. (Most calls were phone system. tomer service and other problems. student body – when we lack such versity. The tuition waiver demand blanks as they have a dysfunctional Stefan Baumrin The resolution asks that CUNY man- an important and common fringe has been included in PSC bargain- phone system apparently designed Lehman College & the Graduate Center agement and TIAA-CREF represen- benefit? ing proposals in the last two rounds to discourage human contact.) Five tatives meet with the PSC “to address I take my hat off to the individual of negotiations and we will continue people were no help whatsoever, Editor’s note: See page 9 of the and correct these concerns,” and the who finally saw the light and wrote to fight for it in the next contract. We each giving a different explanation. March Clarion (at www.psc-cuny. union-wide Pension Committee is this provision into the list of de- welcome your participation in the One disclosed that they have ap- org/communications.htm) for our re- pursuing the issue. mands. Please try to hold the line contract campaign as we build parently mislaid three years of my porting on problems with TIAA- and do your utmost to make this strong membership support for this payments in the 1960s, from the Uni- CREF’s shift to a new computer part of our next contract. It may be demand, and we invite you to attend versity of Delaware. Since as “old system; see page 5 for a further up- Parity for EOC retirees G Imagine my dismay when I read in the February Clarion that future retirees of the Educational Opportu- nity Centers would be receiving Medicare Part B reimbursement! Coalition fights for What about those of us already re- tired? We have brought this issue to the attention of the PSC for years, fi- nally gaining retirement health ben- affordable housing efits, but only for the retiree himself/herself. We have substantive documen- By BENNETT BAUMER strengthen rent regulation laws, tation from various sources sup- give public housing the funding it porting our contention that we are A coalition of housing, labor and im- needs, and limit rents for people employees of CUNY and therefore migrant organizations plan to mobi- with AIDS/HIV to 30% of income. employees of New York City. Thus, lize the largest affordable housing Another demand is “Keep the the whole focus should not be on rally this decade on May 23 at Promise – use Battery Park City Part B reimbursement alone, but on Stuyvesant Town in Manhattan. money for affordable housing.” Of the more comprehensive issue of The groups are pushing Gover- $1 billion in Battery Park City funds “parity” for EOC retirees as CUNY nor Eliot Spitzer to take steps to al- pledged for affordable housing, only retirees with all of the entitlements leviate the city’s affordable housing $143 million has actually been spent. that thereby accrue. The contractu- crisis. New York City has been losing af- al disparities have not been limited The demonstration will be Giant fordable housing units for to retirement benefits, but to many held on Wednesday, May 23 at many years. For more than r ongoing benefits, such as differen- e m

5 pm, at First Ave. and 14th St. a decade, the New York re- u tial contributions to TIAA-CREF –

protest a B

t

(more information at www. al estate industry and its al- t it reminds me of George Orwell’s e

planned for n nyisourhome.com). ly, former Governor George n Animal Farm “wherein all are e Executive Council Member May 23. Pataki, worked to chip B equal, but some are more equal Jim Perlstein told Clarion why away at rent stabilization PSC member and Stuyvesant Town tenant Greg Dunkel. than others.” the PSC has joined 1199, DC37, the laws with one bill after another. Our numbers are small, and the UFT, the Working Families Party Landlords are allowed rent increases Mitchell-Lama project was con- market-rate tenants pay $2,700-3,800 in cost to fund these benefits is mini- and others in organizing the protest. when they remodel stabilized apart- structed in 1978, and since 1985 more rent.” His own rent isn’t that high yet, mal; however, our political clout is “We’ve got many members who are ments and can deregulate the unit than 28,000 units have left the pro- Jenner says, but still eats up about also weak, but let fairness prevail! desperate about the housing situa- entirely when a vacancy occurs and gram – nearly 10,000 of those units 45% of his and his wife’s gross income. The PSC owes it to us EOC retirees tion, particularly junior faculty, part- the rent surpasses $2,000. To stem the between 2003 and 2005. Greg Dunkel, a computer systems to press for these benefits in their timers and HEOs,” Perlstein said. erosion of affordable units, the coali- analyst at the Central Office, lives in contract negotiations. “Much of the salary gain we may tion wants Spitzer to end deregula- 45% OF INCOME Stuyvesant Town, where residents Joe Marvel make on a contract can disappear be- tion or raise the threshold much Donald Jenner, a part-time faculty are worried about the fate of afford- Brooklyn EOC (retired) cause of the exorbitant price of hous- higher than $2,000. member at BMCC, moved into Inde- able units after real estate giant Tish- ing. We’re at the point where The coalition is also demanding pendence Plaza, a Mitchell-Lama pro- man Speyer bought the complex. PSC Executive Director Deborah working people can’t afford to live in preservation of affordable units cre- ject in Lower Manhattan, 30 years “Tishman spent five billion dollars, Bell responds: The PSC continues to the City – and we’ve got to demand a ated under the Mitchell-Lama pro- ago as a grad student. But when land- and they want their money back,” he press CUNY to provide Medicare change.” gram, which gave developers tax lord Larry Gluck bought the complex said. “I think all members of the PSC Part B benefits to retired EOC em- Coming together under the name breaks and land deals in order to in 2003, the new owner moved quick- who live in NYC – whether they rent ployees, equivalent to those provid- “New York Is Our Home,” the coali- build affordable units. Landlords ly to pay off the mortgage and take or own – should come to the afford- ed to retired CUNY employees. To tion is asking for action on several can opt out of the program after 20 the building out of the program. able housing rally on May 23.” It’s date, EOC employees at the four fronts: preserve and expand afford- years or if they pay off the mortgage “Gluck looked and said, ‘This is an issue, he said, that touches every CUNY EOCs have never been on the able housing in New York City, prior to its termination. The last Tribeca,’” Jenner said. “The current union member. New York City or CUNY payroll. Clarion | April 2007 NEWS 3 PSC asks Council to restore funds ‘CUNY By DANIA RAJENDRA the PSC and CUNY have requested Bloomberg seeks cuts to CUNY an additional $39 million. This in- at the In this year’s preliminary executive cludes $28 million for the demolition budget, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and replacement of Fiterman Hall, proposed cuts for CUNY – as he has which suffered catastrophic damage Council’ every year since he was first elect- in the 2001 attack on the World Trade ed. The proposed reductions come Center. (See page 7.) despite the fact that CUNY’s enroll- MONEY ON THE TABLE ment is at a 31-year high and the on May 9 City is running a $4 billion budget The Council’s response noted that surplus. the City has in effect left millions of “There is no reason CUNY should dollars on the table by failing to On May 9, PSC members will make be poor, especially in this year of a match funds pledged by the State for their presence felt at City Hall. record budget surplus,” said PSC capital improvements to the commu- Dubbed “CUNY at the Council: A President Barbara Bowen. “We can nity colleges and Medgar Evers. The PSC Day of Action,” the day will turn around a massive history of un- Council calls this “a disservice to the feature grassroots lobbying of City derfunding: there is no excuse for students and faculty,” and said the Council members. And at a press not increasing CUNY funding this City “should make it budgetary pol- conference on the City Council year.” Bloomberg’s budget would icy to fully match all state capital steps, PSC members, CUNY stu- fall $59 million short of CUNY’s bud- grants for CUNY’s capital plan.” dents and Council members will get request, leaving the University The Council would restore $266 speak about CUNY’s needs. unable to meet even its mandatory million in response to Bloomberg’s On May 9, union activists will al- cost increases. proposed cuts in the city budget, as so deliver thousands of purple part of what is known as the “annu- postcards asking the Council to t e

STUDENTS SUFFER h

c al budget dance” – the mayor pro- fund CUNY fairly. The purple post- i o h

“I can tell you from 30 years of in- c poses cuts, and the City Council cards feature the message of this S

y r

tense, daily experience with stu- a restores much of this funding. year’s budget campaign: “The dents in need, that it is the students G Council sources have told the PSC Time is Now to Invest in CUNY.” who suffer when New York City PSC Secretary Arthurine DeSola and First Vice President Steve London testified at that this will include restorations That message is also at the heart of fails to invest in CUNY,” PSC Secre- a hearing held by the Council’s Committee on Higher Education on March 16. for CUNY. “But until the mayor a PSC TV advertisement, aired the tary Arthurine DeSola testified to puts out his revised budget propos- last two weeks of April in NYC. the City Council Committee on munity colleges. Funding would be years, in real dollars city support al, we don’t expect to see any spe- (See page 9.) Higher Education. “Students who targeted to increase diversity, ex- for CUNY is still 17% below its lev- cific commitments,” London told Postcards are available from the have been subject to poverty, and pand counseling services by hiring el in 1990. Clarion. union office at (212) 354-1252, or by often racism, all their lives simply more faculty counselors and in- “Too many of our students do not contacting PSC Organizer Sabrine will not excel if their only crease support for stu- get the counseling and mentoring FULL SUPPORT Hammad ([email protected]). chance at college just com- PSC seeks dent mentoring. services they need to stay in school “More than ever, we need to offer The TV ad, the postcard and a sign- pounds that experience of PSC leaders testified in and succeed,” London testified. our full financial support for the up form for May 9 events are all poverty.” to keep support of the proposal “The mayor’s budget does not fully CUNY system in order to help them available on the union’s Web site, The PSC has been lobby- scholarships, and in defense of others cover operating costs and financial continue their long tradition of help- www.psc-cuny.org. ing the City Council to re- under the mayor’s ax. aid needs. Uncorrected, CUNY and ing New Yorkers meet their educa- – PH ject Bloomberg’s cuts. The increase These include CUNY’s its students will suffer and we will tional needs,” said David Weprin, union supports CUNY’s re- diversity and Citizenship and Immigra- move backwards rather than con- chair of the Council’s Finance Com- quest for a $13 million in- tion Project and its Black tinue to repair the years of under- mittee. Weprin spoke at the PSC’s Rosie Mendez, whom the PSC crease over last year’s city student Male Initiative, as well as funding.” CUNY Day Breakfast on March 28, supported early in her race for the budget, and is asking the counseling key financial aid pro- where he was presented with a Council in 2005, was one of the many Council to allocate an addi- grams such as the Val- FITERMAN “Friend of the PSC” award for 2007. Council members who attended the tional $12 million for a new City lone Scholarships and the City Speaker Christine Quinn present- (See story below.) Charles Barron, PSC breakfast. “It’s part of our oblig- Council Scholars and Diversity Pro- Council’s Safety Net program. PSC ed the Council’s response to chair of the Council’s Higher Educa- ation to ensure CUNY has that [sup- gram. Under this PSC proposal, First Vice President Steve London Bloomberg’s budget on April 5. The tion Committee, has also said that port],” Mendez told Clarion, “so money would be earmarked to hire told the Council that despite posi- Council expressed support for capital the Council must boost CUNY’s city students graduate with all the skills 200 more full-time faculty in com- tive trends in city funding in recent improvements at CUNY, for which funding. they need to succeed.” CUNY Week events center on city budget

During this year’s CUNY Week, open admissions alumni and how the University. Weprin was joined PSC chapters invited elected offi- Council members on campus their parents’ college educations im- by City Council colleagues Tony cials to campus to see members and proved the children’s economic and Avella, Leroy Comrie, Inez Dickens, students at work. The annual event, Clarion. Council member Hiram said he strongly supported efforts to social prospects. Robert Jackson, Letitia James, held the last week in March, focused Monserrate, a Queensborough alum- fund the University.” The PSC also honored the World Rosie Mendez and James Vacca. on the City budget, and PSC leaders nus, visited Appleman’s class. “He Aides to Robert Jackson, Alan Trade Center Community Labor Speaker Christine Quinn and five told Council members that “the time spoke about his experience as a stu- Gerson and Kendall Stewart visited Coalition, which has led the fight for more Council members sent aides. is now to invest in CUNY.” dent here, how CUNY is so City College, Borough of safe demolition and replacement of At a March 28 chapter meeting important to the City, and his City Council Manhattan Community BMCC’s Fiterman Hall. (See page 7.) ON TO MAY 9 at Queensborough Community Col- opposition to Bloomberg’s members College and Brooklyn Col- The union honored City Council The momentum from CUNY Week lege, City Councilman Tony Avella budget cuts,” said Appleman. lege, respectively. Finance Committee Chair David continued as the union mobilized for told PSC members, students and At City Tech, David pledge There was a strong turn- Weprin. “Every honor is also a re- a day of grassroots lobbying on May local press that he is strongly op- Yassky also pledged support, support out of the City Council at quest,” PSC President Barbara 9, dubbed “CUNY at the Council: A posed to Bloomberg’s proposed cuts telling the chapter on March the PSC’s annual CUNY Bowen noted with a smile as she in- PSC Day of Action.” The day will fea- to CUNY. (See above.) 27, “We need to get the fund- for CUNY. Day breakfast on March 28, troduced him. ture the delivery of thousands of pur- ing to allow more adjuncts to be- where the union handed out three ple postcards addressed to Quinn, GOOD AND BAD come full-time.” “Friend of the PSC” awards. One DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY urging the Council to increase “Faculty and administrators took “It was eye-opening for Yassky to went to David Lavin, professor of so- “By providing quality education CUNY’s funding. “Speaker Quinn has Avella on a tour, showing him some hear first-hand from members about ciology at Lehman and the Graduate at an affordable price, CUNY has always been with us,” said Eileen of the good things, like our nice some of the deplorable conditions Center, for his long-term studies of opened up the doors of opportunity Moran, co-chair of the PSC Legisla- computer labs, and some places under which we work,” said City CUNY graduates who enrolled under to many who would have never had tive Committee. “We urge her to that need repairs,” Queensborough Tech Chapter Chair Bob Cermele. open admissions. His new book that chance,” said Weprin, who also come through again for CUNY.” Chapter Chair Jay Appleman told “Yassky was very responsive, and chronicles the children of CUNY said it was imperative to fully fund – DR 4 NEWS Clarion | April 2007 Salaries first focus of bargaining

By PETER HOGNESS as teachers.” This simply cannot graduate employee health insur- PSC & management meet twice happen without the ability to pay ance, as comparable universities al- In contract bargaining sessions on competitive salaries, PSC represen- ready do. March 19 and April 2, PSC negotia- that CUNY salaries fall below those Another presentation focused on tatives said. On faculty workload, PSC nego- tors moved forward with a detailed at comparable institutions. They the need to increase adjunct Union bargainers also showed tiators laid out the facts: CUNY’s presentation of the union’s contract contrasted CUNY’s pay scale with salaries. “CUNY’s policy of under- that faculty and staff raises have heavy teaching load is causing cur- demands. Backed by extensive re- that of the University of Maryland- paying adjuncts depresses all lagged behind those of manage- rent faculty to look for positions search, the bargaining team made Baltimore, SUNY-Buffalo, Rutgers salaries,” Bowen told Clarion. “And ment. Various “performance goals” elsewhere and has had a document- the case for improvements in salary, (Newark and Camden), Yeshiva, it leaves many adjuncts in poverty.” have been cited to justify manage- ed effect in causing sought-after health coverage and workload. Hofstra and others. PSC bargainers called for a specific ment’s increases – most of which, candidates to turn down CUNY jobs At the March 19 session, the PSC increase to provide greater equity the PSC team noted, have been when they are offered. To reverse told management that faculty and COMPETITIVE SALARIES for adjuncts. achieved through the these trends, they said, a reduction staff need substantial raises. “We “If CUNY is to be a great univer- In addition, Bowen not- Uncompetitive work and creativity of in teaching load is required. demonstrated how salaries for all sity, it needs a salary structure ed, “The stagnation of salaries hurt union members. members of the bargaining unit that’s competitive across the salaries is worst in titles When the two sides DEMANDS EXPECTED have fallen relative to inflation since board,” said Bowen. “You can’t re- with the highest proportion members – and met again on April 2, the There was also discussion of a the fiscal crisis of the 1970s,” said cruit and retain the best faculty and of people of color and the University. focus was on health PSC proposal for reassigned time PSC President Barbara Bowen. In staff by cutting corners.” women.” Of full-time lec- care. The PSC called for for scholarly work by faculty who real dollars, pay levels at CUNY fell Other data showed the need to turers, for example, 52% are ongoing increases in CUNY’s con- are already tenured. This proposal sharply during the fiscal crisis and enhance CUNY’s top salary steps. women and nearly half belong to tributions to the PSC-CUNY Wel- builds on the successful model of re- tumbled again in early 1980s and Currently 57% of full professors and federally protected racial or ethnic fare Fund. Adjuncts who work assigned time for research for junior early 1990s. “The result is that 24% of all full-timers at City Univer- groups. more than half-time, or the equiva- faculty, which has increased CUNY salaries, which once were sity are at the top step of the salary A significant pay hike is critical lent, should be brought onto the CUNY’s academic productivity. seen as very good, are no longer scale. “When people remain stuck to achieve management’s own de- regular city health insurance plan, Another bargaining session was competitive,” Bowen said. at the top step for 15 or 20 years, it clared goals, union negotiators said. the union argued, noting that this is scheduled for April 20, just after this Using unpublished data from the creates a real morale problem,” For example, the CUNY Master already the case for most other issue of Clarion went to press. most recent salary survey by the said bargaining team member Plan for 2006-2007 states, “Colleges groups of municipal employees. Union negotiators said they expect- American Association of University Steve Trimboli. “That’s not good will continually upgrade the quali- The bargaining team also empha- ed to receive management’s list of Professors, the PSC team showed for the University.” ty of their faculty, as scholars and sized the need for CUNY to provide demands at the session.

CALENDAR THURSDAY, MAY 10: 4:00 pm / PSC Sol- idarity Committee meeting. PSC of- APRIL 26-28 / Labor’s Voices 3: Media fice, 61 Broadway, 15th floor. Photo Union launches ‘My Five’ network for a New Workers’ Movement ID required to enter building. For brings together pro-worker journal- info, [email protected]. ists, media workers, academics and By CLARION STAFF activists from unions and workers’ FRIDAY, MAY 11: 6:00 pm / Labor Goes Joining together centers across the country and to the Movies shows Head On with Would you talk to five colleagues in around the world. CUNY Graduate speaker Julia Sneeringer. PSC Union order to help win a strong contract? demic departments, and PSC mem- Center, 34th Street and 5th Avenue. Hall, 61 Broadway, 16th floor. Photo If the answer is yes, then you can bers’ work constantly takes them See www.laborsvoices.org. ID required to enter the building. sign up to join the PSC’s “My Five” out of “the office.” Couple this with Contact Dania Rajendra (212) 354- network. CUNY’s demanding workload, and FRIDAY, APRIL 27 / Open Access Com- 1252 or [email protected]. No The idea of “My Fives” is simple: union members may not see some mittee meeting. Contact Susan RSVPs. each member chooses five col- colleagues for days or even weeks Di Ramo for the time and place; leagues with whom to stay in touch unless they make a point of it. [email protected]. SATURDAY, MAY 19: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm / throughout negotiations. International Committee meeting, Every two weeks or so, people in EFFECTIVE THURSDAY, MAY 10: 4:30 pm / Ad- location TBA. Contact Renate the My Five network will get in Chapter meetings are an impor- juncts and Continuing Education Bridenthal at (212) 662-0934 or touch to discuss what’s happening at tant way for members to stay in- Teachers: Learn how to apply for a [email protected]. the negotiating table, CUNY’s de- formed and express their views – but new PSC/CUNY Adjunct Profes- mands and the union’s strategy or chapters generally meet no more sional Development Grant. PSC of- TUESDAY, MAY 22: 6:00 pm / Diversity how to organize the next action. My than once a month, and many mem- fice, 61 Broadway, 15th floor. Photo Committee meeting. PSC office, 61 Fivers also stand ready to answer bers find it difficult to attend. “To be ID required to enter the building. Broadway, 15th floor. Photo ID re- members’ questions or connect them effective in a contract fight – and n i l

Contact Linda Slifkin to register, quired to enter the building. For more with someone at the union who can make no mistake, a fight it will be – m a H

(212) 354-1252. info, e-mail [email protected] help. It’s a bridge of two-way commu- we need more ways to involve and t e n a

nication between active union mem- engage our members,” Menna says. J bers and the union leadership. Many campuses began My Fives during the last contract campaign. “We’re building a network, like Junior faculty development MUSCLE City College, College of Staten Is- the leaves and branches of a tree,” The muscle and sinew of any land, Hunter, Queens, Brooklyn and said Lizette Colón, a faculty coun- union comes from this kind of con- City Tech all worked with some selor at Hostos and member of the nection between members, says form of My Five organizing last Executive Council. “People like that Diane Menna, co-chair of the Execu- year. Now the structure is being re- idea, and it doesn’t seem over- tive Council’s Organizing Committee. activated on some campuses and whelming if it’s only five other peo- “We need a strong and active mem- initiated on others. ple.” Connecting with co-workers bership, talking to each other about isn’t a chore, she adds – it’s a plea- the contract and union action, if we 2 WAY RELAY sure: “You get to know each other a want to break through the City and “My Fives will relay members’ little better – and the point is to have State’s insistence on pattern bargain- questions, thoughts and comments some fun in the process.” ing,” Menna says. “If we want a good on the contract campaign to the Menna summed it up this way: contract, we need to organize.” union leadership,” said Ann Davi- “Hundreds of member-organizers, Most labor unions are based on a son of Queens College. “When the making a small commitment of time s r steward system, where a shop stew- bargaining team goes to the table, each week, can add up to the power e d n ard is responsible for 10, 20 or more they’re bargaining for 20,000 faculty we need.” Training for My Five orga- a S e

v workers in a given workplace. Of- and staff. To do that effectively, we nizers is being offered this Spring. If a D ten, these workers see each other need a back-and-forth conversation you’re interested in joining the My Untenured faculty from across the University gathered at the PSC for a day-long every day, all day long. In contrast, between individual members and Five team, sign up at www.psc-cuny. session on “How to survive and thrive at CUNY” on April 13. CUNY is split up into separate aca- the leadership.” org/myfivesignup.htm. Clarion | April 2007 NEWS 5

HIGHER ED Modest increases from NYS IN BRIEF U of MN dumps TIAA-CREF By PETER HOGNESS cessful lawsuit by the Campaign CUNY needs more, PSC says for Fiscal Equity, that New York The University of Minnesota On April 1, the New York State Leg- State was shortchanging its public dropped TIAA-CREF as its retire- islature approved a budget that than the increase proposed by Gov. it broke with a downward trend in schools. In the year to come, the ment plan, “after years of feedback meets CUNY’s current costs and Elliot Spitzer, for an increase of CUNY’s funding that went back to State will spend $600 million more from participants about record- provides a few increases. 8.6% in senior college support in- 1990. But, also like last year’s bud- on K-12 students in New York City keeping and customer service “By the standard of the last 15 stead of the 7.7% hike that Spitzer get, it did not aim to undo the dam- – and Moran predicted that this problems,” the University said in a years in Albany, this is a good bud- requested. age of years of underfunding. will have a major effect on CUNY. statement. Moreover, the decision get,” said PSC First Vice President CUNY’s community colleges re- “It’s wonderful not to have to “Investing more in the city’s poor- “reflects the growing concerns of Steve London. “By the stan- ceive important state sup- fight against losing money or er schools will mean more high several faculty and staff commit- dard of what CUNY needs, State law- port based on the number against huge cuts in student aid,” school graduates who want to go to tees, as well as the administration, this budget falls short.” makers of “full-time equivalent stu- said Eileen Moran, co-chair of the college,” she told Clarion. “That that the problems were not being CUNY’s senior colleges dents,” or FTEs. Spitzer PSC’s Legislative Committee. “But means the demand for seats at addressed effectively.” Partici- will receive $79.3 million add a asked for $100 more per little restorations like these are nev- CUNY is going to be even greater. pants have faced delayed pay- more in state support than little to FTE, while CUNY pro- er going to give CUNY what we We can’t meet that demand without ments and account statement last year’s budget. Most of posed a $125 per FTE in- need.” more state support.” errors, problems that have grown that money – $67.8 million – Spitzer’s crease and the PSC urged This year CUNY had asked the with the shift to a new computer 150 YEARS OLD? will go to mandatory cost in- proposal. the legislature to raise it by legislature for $24 million beyond system. creases in areas such as em- $250. In the end, the Legis- A case in point, said Moran, is the governor’s executive budget. “We acknowledge and respect ployee benefits, contractual wage lature raised the amount by $150 the CUNY Master Plan’s stated The PSC supported this request, the University’s frustration with increases, utility bills and other ar- per FTE, for a total of $9.3 million in goal of a 70/30 ratio for instruc- and proposed an additional $52 mil- our service issues, which we are eas of inflation. Another $10.3 mil- new support. tion by full-time and part-time lion for new full-time lines, a diver- working diligently to resolve,” re- lion will go to new initiatives, Unlike former Gov. George Pata- faculty. “At the current rate, we’ll sity hiring initiative, additional sponded TIAA-CREF spokesper- including $6.2 million that can be ki, Spitzer began with a budget pro- all be 150 years old before we student support staff, and funds for son Chad Peterson. Meanwhile, used for a small number of new full- posal that covered CUNY’s basic reach that goal.” Enrollment at student mentoring. the Labor Department is looking at time faculty lines. cost increases and did not attempt CUNY is at a 31-year high. “As a “For CUNY to do better in the the problems TIAA-CREF mem- to slash student aid or raise tuition. result, there has been little future, we have to engage the pub- bers are having at private colleges. APPROPRIATIONS Pataki often requested savage cuts progress in increasing the num- lic at large,” said Moran. “We’re Additional appropriations of $1.2 to New York’s Tuition Assistance ber of classes taught by full-time going to have to engage the rev- Aid officers caught in million will be shared by the SEEK Program (TAP) and other financial faculty,” noted Moran. “At best, enue side of the budget, to undo Program and the Joseph Murphy In- assistance; while Spitzer did re- we are treading water”. Pataki’s attacks on progressive conflict of interest stitute for Worker Education and quest some smaller TAP reduc- An important advance in this taxation. And that means fighting New York Attorney General An- Labor Studies. tions, these were rejected by the year’s overall state budget was the for a wider political change in New drew Cuomo subpoenaed Columbia It all adds up to $7.5 million more legislature. Like last year’s budget, recognition, as the result of a suc- York State.” University to provide information about financial aid officers who own stock in student loan companies. David Charlow, associate dean of LABOR student affairs, owned stock in the parent company of Student Loan See the PSC on TV IN BRIEF Xpress. Columbia included Student Loan Xpress on a list of “preferred Faculty strikes and threats lenders” sent to students – a list By DANIA RAJENDRA that Charlow personally endorsed. Budget battle hits airwaves The Faculty and Staff Federation Cuomo is also seeking records PSC television ads in support of in- of Community College of Philadel- from the University of Southern creased state and city funding ran college’s Namm phia (AFT Local 2026) won raises California and the University of on stations in Albany and in New building. City Tech after a nine-day strike in March. Texas as part of a wide-ranging York City as part of this year’s bud- faculty and stu- The new contract includes average probe of conflicts of interest in the get battle. dents graciously raises of almost 4% annually over student loan industry. He said stu- “I’ve seen the TV ad, and I think endured the noise, the next five years and the contin- dent loan companies, in petitioning it’s fantastic,” said Assembly- lights and other uation of employer-paid health- financial aid professionals for inclu- woman Deborah Glick, who chairs distractions of the care. “We had a spirit of solidarity sion on the lists, offered some offi- the Committee on Higher Educa- all-day shoot, on the picket line that spread to cers stock options and payments as tion. The advertisement ran on Al- which employed our younger members,” said FSF consultants or board members. bany cable and broadcast stations an all-union crew. co-chair John Braxton. Most students only consider finan- for two weeks. And in April, the California Fac- cial aid companies from the “pre- A New York City version of the VOLUNTEERS ulty Association reached a four- ferred lender” list. ad went on the air during the last PSC staff re- year agreement with the California two weeks of April, on both cable cruited the vol- State University after members rat- and broadcast, during programs unteers on the ified a plan to implement rolling Historians, 1 – Bush, 0 like “Good Day New York.” spot. Though strikes throughout the system. The US House of Representatives conventional wisdom, in the age Union members won base pay in- passed the “Presidential Records NEEDS NUMEROUS tising industry as an institution. My of the “reality show,” is that people creases of 20.7% over four years. Act Amendments of 2007” by a “There’s so much we could do scholarship is about consumerism will do anything to get on televi- margin of 393 to 93 on March 14, with more funding!” exclaimed Ann and environmental problems, sion, many faculty and stu- Farmworkers win overturning a Bush executive or- Delilkan, a PSC member at City so advertising is something I New ad dents brushed off the offer der that allows current and former Tech who appears in the ad. “There think a lot about.” features of appearing on TV until The Coalition of Immokalee presidents and vice presidents to is a terrible lack of classrooms,” she “Certainly, we need more the purpose – fair funding Workers (CIW), a farm workers’ withhold or delay the public re- told Clarion. “We don’t have fund- funding,” Panayotakis said, City Tech for CUNY – was explained. organization in South Florida, an- lease of presidential records. ing for labs, and class size is ridicu- noting that much of CUNY faculty and Students were enthusi- nounced on April 9 that McDon- Bush’s original order – issued in lous for this type of work.” Delilkan, seems run down in contrast astic about the experience alds would cooperate in ending 2002 — was opposed by the Ameri- an assistant professor of speech, to some of the shiny, new students. and the advertisement it- abusive practices against the farm can Historical Association, the Or- said she had done voice-overs be- flagship facilities. “When I self. “I love it!” Ruth Des- workers who pick their tomatoes. ganization of American Historians, fore, but that this was her first time go to Baruch or the Grad Center, tine told Clarion after she viewed As part of the agreement, McDon- the National Security Archive, the on film. the difference is palpable.” the finished ad. “I hope that with alds agreed to pay an additional Reporter’s Committee for Freedom It was Costas Panayotakis’s first the commercial, we can finally get penny per pound of tomatoes, of the Press and two individual commercial as well. “My first reac- TYPICAL CLASS every dime they owe us.” which will go directly to pickers. presidential historians. tion was to smile, but they said The commercial was filmed in a You can view the ad on the Additionally, the company and In a 2002 Clarion article, Distin- ‘don’t,’” the assistant professor of classroom at City Tech where union’s website at www.psc-cuny. CIW will jointly develop a code of guished Professor Blanche Wiesen sociology told Clarion. “It was inter- Panayotakis teaches – and in an- org/budgethearing07.htm. (Scroll conduct and an enforcement mech- Cook called the Bush order an “act esting to be a part of a commercial other typical classroom and hall- down until you see “PSC Ads in the anism for the code. For more infor- of absolute monarchy.” The bill because I’m skeptical of the adver- way on the fifth floor of the Budget Campaign” on the left.) mation, see www.ciw-online.org. now goes to the Senate. 6 OUR HISTORY Clarion | April 2007 Math association honors Lee Lorch

By DAN NORTH sex line and for this reason has pro- news. She was rewarded within a CCNY Center for Worker Education Lifelong fighter for racial justice foundly affected the development of month by a subpoena from the Sen- many persons who would otherwise ate Subcommittee on Internal Secu- Mathematician Lee Lorch, whom City motions committee of CCNY math Lorch found employment at Penn- have carried out the low expecta- rity. Like her husband, Grace Lorch College fired in 1949 and later hon- department recommended that he sylvania State College – but kept his tions of the time.” refused to cooperate. ored for his civil rights activism, has be promoted to assistant professor – Stuyvesant Town apartment and let Five of Lorch’s Fisk students went Grace Lorch, who died in 1974, had won the Mathematical Association of but instead Lorch was not reappoint- a black family stay in it as his on to doctorates in math, the figured in another pioneer- America’s (MAA) annual award for ed and found himself out of a job. guests. When Penn State found out, first Fisk students to do so. City College ing effort for equal rights. “distinguished contributions to math- The firing was widely seen as a re- Lorch was fired again. The college Four were women. By 1970, In 1943, when she was a ematics and mathematics education.” sponse to Lorch’s civil rights ac- president’s assistant told Lorch that only 14 African-American fired him Boston school teacher and A fellow of the American Associa- tivism. The New York chapter of the using his apartment to integrate women had secured mathe- in 1949, president of the Boston tion for the Advancement of Science NAACP called for an investigation, Stuyvesant Town was “extreme, il- matics PhDs. Teachers Union, Massa- and the Royal Society of Canada, 91- as did the CCNY student council, the legal and immoral, and damaging to In 1954, soon after the honored him chusetts regulations re- year-old Lorch has published more American Jewish Congress (AJC), the public relations of the college.” Brown vs. Board of Education in 1990. quired women teachers to than 80 papers in summability theo- the Teachers Union (a predecessor school desegregation ruling, resign if they married. ry, special functions and other sub- of PSC) and other labor and student ... AND NO ACADEMIC FREEDOM the Lorches tried to register their Grace Lorch refused to do so and was fields of classical mathematical groups. They also questioned That was too much for The New daughter in a black elementary fired for what her husband called analysis. But he is perhaps best whether anti-Semitism was in- York Times, which editorialized on school near their Nashville home. “committing matrimony.” Her firing known for his work against in- volved. Since Lorch had an “unblem- April 11, 1950 that “academic free- Lorch was promptly called before the sparked a challenge to the rule, equities of race and gender. ished record,” the AJC declared, his dom is really imperiled if a profes- House Un-American Activities Com- which was repealed in 1953. “What I like about this award is firing “brings into disrepute our mu- sor is to be penalized because he mittee. Asked repeatedly if he was a The Lorches’ high visibility in the not that it recognizes me, but that it nicipal college system and inevitably takes a firm and positive stand Communist, Lorch said he was not Little Rock school integration cam- recognizes the importance of the is- creates suspicion that religious con- against racial discrimination.” The but that the question itself was un- paign had consequences. After dy- sues in which I’ve been involved,” namite was left under their garage said Lorch when the award was an- door and their daughter was beaten nounced in January. “That is, to up at school, the family left make the scientific community, the Arkansas. With Lee Lorch unable to mathematics community in particu- find academic work in the US, the lar, hospitable to minorities and to family moved to Canada in 1959. He women.” taught for nine years at the Univer- sity of Alberta before moving on to NYC NATIVE York University in Toronto. Born in New York City in 1915, Lorch received his BA from Cornell “A DIFFERENT PLACE” and his doctorate in mathematics In 1990, Lorch was awarded an from the University of Cincinnati. honorary doctorate at CCNY’s com- He applied for a job at CCNY in 1941, mencement. “CCNY was a different but ran into anti-Semitism. When he place than in 1949, with different arrived at the department chair’s of- people,” Lorch told Clarion. “I fice, he was immediately asked, looked on it as the leadership disas- “When did you change your name?” sociating themselves from what had When Lorch said his name had al- been done earlier. It showed they ways been the same, he was appreciated what I’d meant, not on- promptly asked when his father had ly professionally but also in civil y t i

changed his name. “When he s rights activities.” r e v replied that his father had also not i Lorch officially retired from n U

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changed his name, the interview r York in 1985, but has remained o ended,” according to a history pub- Y professionally active. When he re- lished by the American Mathemati- Lee Lorch (center) with Sylvia Bozeman (left) and Yewande Olubummo. Bozeman and Olubummo are former and current chairs ceived his award in January, at the cal Society (AMS). of the math department at Spelman College, a historically black women's college that gave Lorch an honorary degree in 1999. annual joint meetings of the MAA Lorch married Grace Lonergan in and AMS in New Orleans, he was 1943 and served in the Army in India sideration played a part in the col- Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, prodded by constitutional. When he refused to working on a paper about Bessel and Okinawa. After the war, the lege’s action.” the AFT local at Penn State, protest- answer questions about his past po- functions. Characteristically, he CCNY math department had a dif- Lorch had the support of most of ed Lorch’s firing. So did Albert Ein- litical associations, Lorch was used his acceptance statement to ferent chair, and Lorch was hired as his colleagues, but not the depart- stein. But Penn State stood firm, and charged with contempt – and the make a political point. In addition an instructor in 1946. With his wife ment chair. Among those who sup- the Lorches hit the road again. white majority on Fisk’s board of to gracious thanks, Lorch spoke and infant daughter Alice, he moved ported Lorch was Emil Post, a Lorch became one of two white trustees voted to fire him. about the racial injustice so evi- into Stuyvesant Town, the then-new logician whose work was known professors at Fisk University, a dent in post-Katrina New Orleans. middle-income housing develop- around the world. Post was “proba- black institution in Nashville. He is LITTLE ROCK Then he brought this home to his ment along Manhattan’s First Ave. bly the most distinguished mathe- proud of his pioneering efforts at In 1955, Lorch was hired at anoth- profession: They soon discovered that matician ever on City College staff.” Fisk, both in mentoring black stu- er black institution, Philander Smith “Even the American Mathemati- Stuyvesant Town’s owner, Met Life, Lorch told Clarion. “He took the issue dents and in fighting racist prac- College in Little Rock. His students cal Society home page tells us only had banned rentals to African very seriously and later exerted him- tices of national mathematics included the college’s first student of Tulane – not of the several afflict- Americans. self to help me find a job elsewhere.” organizations. For example, when to earn a PhD in math, and Lorch ed historically black colleges and “How would you feel if you were the MAA held a regional conven- served as vice president of the Little universities. Perhaps no one in these moving into an apartment someone NO REASON... tion at Vanderbilt in 1951, African- Rock branch of the NAACP. institutions has submitted a report. needed more than you, but couldn’t At CUNY today, if a full-time fac- American mathematicians were Then, in the fall of 1957, nine Maybe they do not feel really part of get for unfair reasons? You would- ulty member is not reappointed, barred from the official convention African-American teenagers tried the mathematical community. Why n’t feel comfortable,” Lorch told management must state the reasons banquet. Lorch and his colleagues to integrate Little Rock’s Central not? What is being done about Clarion. “Being white conferred an for the decision. But in 1949, un- protested and won a change in prac- High School. As they were turned it?…‘The struggle continues.’” undeserved privilege that made us tenured full-time faculty were in the tice for the future. away, an angry white mob of near- Looking back on a career studded feel dirty. In order to wash the dirt same situation that part-time facul- In 1976, Etta Zuber Falconer, one ly 500 surrounded one of the black with proud achievements and off, we had an obligation to try to ty face today: no reason was re- of Lorch’s students at Fisk, recalled students, Enid Eckford. Amid painful reprisals, Lorch told Clarion, change things. We just wanted our quired. “Sometimes you have to do his role as a teacher: “Under his shouts of “get a rope, lynch her,” a “I often get asked what keeps me go- daughter to grow up in a decent things in this life which you don’t prodding, I gradually became aware white woman emerged from the ing. That’s the wrong question. It world and to have everyone else’s care to explain,” said CCNY’s presi- of the beauty and power of mathe- crowd, remonstrated with those shows how society is so accepting of kids grow up the same way.” dent at the time, Harry Wright. Ac- matics. Dr. Lorch encouraged me in nearest Eckford and led the 15- racism and injustice that you need Lorch became vice chair of the cording to The New York Times, the pursuit of a mathematical career year-old student onto a nearby to explain why you fight against Tenants Committee to End Discrim- Wright conceded that “Dr. Lorch’s at a time when it was unpopular for city bus. them. It should be the other way ination in Stuyvesant Town, playing teaching qualifications had not been both African Americans and The woman was Grace Lorch, and around – you should need to explain a highly visible role. In 1949, the pro- questioned.” women. He refused to see a color or her efforts that day were front-page if you don’t fight.” Clarion | April 2007 HEALTH & SAFETY 7

Register by 9/11 health risks and BMCC August 14 David Newman is an industrial hy- What substances in WTC- gienist with the New York Commit- Working around Ground Zero Q. related dust could be harmful? to protect tee for Occupational Safety & Health First, I want to emphasize (NYCOSH). Clarion spoke with him A. that not all exposures are about post-9/11 environmental cont- equal. You can’t equate exposures your rights amination in Lower Manhattan and at BMCC with exposures of those health concerns for people who work who spent months in recovery work or study at BMCC. in and around the pile. The expo- By DAVID KOTELCHUCK sure at BMCC would be much less, PSC Health & Safety Officer What kind of health risks but not necessarily nonexistent. Q. might exist for people who The other point is, not all expo- Workers who may have been ex- work or study at BMCC? sures to hazardous substances pro- posed to WTC-related contamina- The answer depends on their duce illness. The greater the tion since 9/11, such as BMCC A. level of exposure to haz- exposure, the greater the risk – but faculty and staff, must register with ardous substances. The first issue is, many people can be exposed and the New York State Workers’ Com- what exposures did they have, if never become ill. pensation system by August 14 to any, on 9/11 itself? Second, what, if That said, we’ve seen a variety of preserve their rights to claim work- any, exposures they may have had respiratory problems among those ers’ compensation benefits if they since then. And third, what expo- with WTC exposures. Some WTC later become ill from this exposure. sures may result in the future – from dust was as alkaline as Drano, caus- This filing is not a claim for workers’ the demolition of Fiterman Hall, the ing irritation and even chemical compensation, but a registration of Deutsche Bank building, etc. burns to the respiratory system. This WTC exposure should you become i l o

The people who had the most ex- z was one cause of what’s colloquially ill in the future. If you don’t register, z o p

posure are probably those caught in a called “WTC cough” or “WTC syn- you will lose your rights to future C

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the dust cloud on 9/11. o drome.” In some people it’s been per- WTC-related benefits. More infor- R sistent, in others it’s cleared up. mation and registration forms are Even though that was just The dust cloud on 9/11 included lead, mercury, asbestos and dioxin. Health risks We’ve also seen an elevated inci- at www.nycosh.org. Q. one day? vary with the level of exposure. dence of new-onset asthma and exac- “While the registry is defined in Yes, because for many people erbation of existing cases. terms of those who took part in A. this was a massively acute ex- Also, BMCC’s North Moore Street thousands of computers in the Twin Again, this is in general. We have cleanup work, this category is posure – an intense exposure to mul- entrance was used as a staging area Towers. virtually no data for BMCC folks undefined and potentially very tiple substances. Granted, it was a for emergency personnel, which In the very little data we have specifically. broad,” said David Newman of short period of time, but we have a means that WTC dust was probably from the EPA on indoor, as opposed Lead and mercury are central ner- NYCOSH. “If you worked at BMCC fairly high level of concern for people tracked in on people’s clothing and to outdoor,’ environments lead was vous system depressants and are as- after 9/11 you should sign up now to who were caught in the dust cloud. shoes. one of the heavy hitters among 9/11 sociated with neurological problems. protect your rights.” The next group of concern would contaminants. So while there’s no Dioxin and asbestos, also present (There is a similar registry for be rescue and recovery workers “on Have there been measure- absolute proof, it is most likely that in WTC dust, are cancer-causing potential future disability retire- the pile” at Ground Zero. Q. ments of contamination in- the lead in BMCC’s ventilation sys- agents. Cancers are diseases with ment for those in Teachers’ Retire- Next would be cleanup and janito- side BMCC’s main building? tem was derived from the Trade long latency periods – that is, a long ment System Tiers III or IV. This rial workers cleaning residential After 9/11, the PSC pushed Center collapse. time between exposure and the has an earlier deadline of June 14; and commercial buildings around A. aggressively for indepen- emergence of symptoms. registration forms and information the Trade Center site. These were dent environmental testing of BM- What happened after the Leukemia and other so-called are at www.trs.nyc.ny.us.) largely immigrants hired as day la- CC’s ventilation system and Q. lead was found? “soft tumors” – blood cancers and so If you believe you now have a borers and some regular building interior. Those tests found that the The PSC pressed hard for on – could begin to show up five WTC-related health condition, ex- maintenance personnel. Another main mechanical ventilation sys- A. the ventilation years or so after exposure, pert treatment is available at the group is workers who restored es- tems were heavily contaminated system to be cleaned. If you worked so around now would be Bellevue WTC Environmental Health sential services: water, electricity with lead. While there’s no direct BMCC’s administration at BMCC after the beginning of that time- Clinic ((212) 562-1720). Thanks to and so on, who disturbed dust and proof, a reasonable presumption is agreed to do so, but the frame. So-called “hard tu- new city funding, treatment is not debris as they worked. that the bulk of that lead was WTC- work wasn’t finished un- 9/11, be sure to mors” like lung cancer limited to rescue workers. The last group would be resi- derived. Lead levels in classrooms til 2003. The union’s register with generally take 15 or 20 “It’s important for people to go to dents, workers and students with no or offices did not exceed EPA resi- health and safety offi- years to develop. Most this clinic as opposed to just relying direct relationship to cleanup or res- dential guidelines, but the contam- cers say that the college the Workers’ medical experts think a on their own doctor,” said Newman. cue work, but who’ve spent substan- ination of the ventilation system ultimately did the right Comp Board. large elevation in the “This clinic has the experience of tial time downtown and may have was of concern. thing, but that it should- number of cancers is not seeing hundreds of people with been exposed to contaminants in in- n’t have taken so much prodding, likely, but many believe that some WTC-related illnesses and can door air. Could this lead have come and that BMCC shouldn’t have increase is likely. However, that’s make sure you get the right diagno- Q. mainly from years of traffic had to beg for the money to get really unknown. sis and treatment.” So that last group would in- on West Street? this done. Q. clude most people at BMCC. The highway might be a If someone at BMCC is con- What are some of the potential A. presumed source – but What about the ventilation Q. cerned about WTC-related It’s essential that Fiterman is de- sources of exposure since 9/11? gasoline has been lead-free for Q. systems in the trailers? health effects, what should they do? molished in a way that prevents re- The debris from Ground Ze- years. Eliminating lead exposure They’re vastly inferior to the Everyone who worked at lease of these contaminants, and A. ro was trucked to a waste from gasoline has been a signifi- A. system in the main building, A. BMCC in the wake of 9/11 BMCC faculty, staff and students transfer site directly across West cant result from environmental with filters at the low end of the pro- should register with the New York can help ensure that this is the case. Street from BMCC, where it was controls. Also, both BMCC and tection scale. So people in the trail- Workers’ Compensation Board be- Every six weeks there’s a public transferred to barges. That site in Stuyvesant High School were con- ers may have been more exposed to fore the August 14 deadline. (See meeting about various aspects of particular was dirty – it was poorly taminated with lead. Since both WTC contaminants and less pro- sidebar above.) This protects your the decontamination and demolition run. The main problem was that the are relatively new buildings, the tected by the inferior filters. right to file a claim in the future. plan. You can get dates of upcoming dust suppression was badly man- source was more likely the WTC If you’ve been ill, and you think meetings at www.bmcc.cuny.edu – aged. As the WTC debris was trans- than vehicle emissions. Is there evidence that these your symptoms might be related to click on ‘Fiterman Hall News.’ ferred from trucks to the barges, it Q. exposures at BMCC have 9/11 exposure, you should go to the The PSC has been very active was supposed to be wet down so What are some of the poten- caused health problems? WTC Environmental Health Center since September 2001. It’s part of that dust didn’t become airborne. Q. tial sources of lead in dust A very early study, six months at Bellevue Hospital – you don’t the WTC Community Labor Coali- All too frequently, however, that from the WTC’s collapse? A. after 9/11, did find higher have to have been a Ground Zero tion, which is pressing for a safe did not happen! One is lead-based paint, rates of persistent respiratory worker. [See sidebar.] and transparent process, and it’s on This was right across from BMCC A. which is banned for residen- symptoms among BMCC employ- It’s also important to prevent any the advisory committee for the and close to the trailers set up to pro- tial use but still allowed in the work- ees. While we don’t have data spe- further exposure in the future – and Fiterman demolition. So getting ac- vide temporary classrooms after the place. It’s common for structural cific to BMCC since then, it is here the biggest concern is the up- tive with the union – with the chap- loss of Fiterman Hall. Putting these use, like coating beams. possible that some BMCC faculty, coming demolition of BMCC’s Fiter- ter at BMCC or with the PSC Health trailers on the highway, immediate- Another source would be comput- staff and students have or will de- man Hall, heavily contaminated & Safety Watchdogs – is a good ly across from the waste transfer ers. Each PC can have up to several velop respiratory problems from with dioxin, asbestos, lead and oth- way to stay informed and affect site, was not well thought out. pounds of lead in it, and there were WTC-derived exposures. er hazardous substances. what happens. 8 RIGHTS & BENEFITS Clarion | April 2007 How did you spend your sabbatical? Roving Reporter asks, “How does 80% pay make a difference?” n ó r e s s s d s e l e e r a n n n e o o C o d

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e a a c a v i s s s i i a i M L L L D

LEA FRIDMAN SOCORRO DE JESUS MYRIAM SARACHIK NICOLE COOLEY ALBERT SHERMAN Professor Assistant Professor Distinguished Professor Associate Professor Senior College Lab Technician English Department Language and Cognition Physics Department English Department Advertising Design & Graphic Arts Kingsborough Community College Hostos Community College City College Queens College City Tech

In the work-intensive environment This is my first sabbatical. While I’m spending time in my lab and I am a poet, and I teach creative I’m a Senior CLT, so I oversee the of a community college, a sabbati- teaching, there is so much to do with my graduate students and writing and poetry. I am working equipment in the labs and assist cal is a special gift. So far I have within the campus and at home. thinking up new directions for my on a book of poetry, Breach, about all of the professors. In my depart- been working on new drafts of two But the sabbatical really frees you research. I’m serving on many Hurricane Katrina. That’s been my ment, we have a multimedia plays. I am now preparing for up. I just needed time to sit and be advisory panels (many of them sabbatical project. program that is advancing. The meetings and travel needed for my able to think without worrying abroad), site visiting teams and I could never have finished this technology is changing and we third play, this time a historical about grading papers, attending reviewing physics departments book without the sabbatical! Just need to keep up with the times. drama about a neglected African committee and departmental meet- throughout the US. to have the space and time to read I’m using my sabbatical to finish American figure. I plan to visit ings, and fulfilling other duties re- I do experiments at very low and think and write is amazing. It’s my Masters in Radio and TV Com- archives in the US, Britain, quired of full time faculty. temperatures to study electrons in enabled me to get so much done. munications at Brooklyn College. Belgium and Africa. Letters, Everybody should take a sabbat- solids. My work is focused in two I was incredibly lucky, because I I’m researching new technologies, records, documents, actual loca- ical every seven years; I’m just sor- areas: the transition from insulat- had applied for the sabbatical at such as TIVO or TV on your cell tions are great stimulants to the ry I waited so long! ing to metallic behavior in 50%, but my outside funding didn’t phone, and how all of it can be mea- imagination. I had made plans for 50%, but of semiconductors, and in two- come through. I couldn’t have sured by the Nielsen ratings. They My first play, written on an earli- course 80% of my regular pay is so dimensional systems where this made it work at 50%, but I could at don’t have that capability right er sabbatical, was eventually di- much nicer. Thanks, PSC! transition was thought to be im- 80%. I’m extremely grateful to the now. rected by Robert Kalfin, founder of I’m working on materials for the possible. I also study molecular union. Financially, I could not do a sab- the Chelsea Theatre. It was also literature component of the first- magnets, in which all molecules The timing was perfect for me, batical at 50%. I was going to school the basis of an “illuminated” book level ESL course I teach, English act like tiny magnets. Here we because I’m heading up our new two nights a week, plus working, form of the play (with visual artists as a Second Language 016 – Litera- have discovered unexpected, fasci- MFA program in the Fall. This was and I was almost ready to drop out. Judith Wilde and Olga Mezhi- ture & Contemporary Issues. I’m nating quantum mechanical ef- the time for me to write, before the [The new contract] is allowing me bovskaya). This time around, how- creating a student workbook for fects on a large scale where only administrative responsibilities to finish the program and give my ever, I live on a single salary and each of the two literary books we classical behavior was expected. start up again. full devotion to it. could not have dreamed of taking a use in that class, Out of the Dust These materials may be useful for sabbatical without the 80% we now and Esperanza Rising. quantum computation. receive. I don’t think the 80% pay for sab- batical leaves is a good idea – what CUNY really needs is competitive salaries. Interviews by Dania Rajendra Adjunct professional development fund kicks off

By ELLEN BALLEISEN committee in advance, before any Newfield said. “There are a myriad Bronx Community College Up to $3K for those eligible money is spent, in order to qualify. number of ways the money can be After an application is approved, used. It could cover the cost of trav- All teachers are lifelong learners who vant courses; most expenses related ment for the two most recent con- grant awardees then pay their ex- el to libraries outside the New York benefit from conducting research, at- to attending professional confer- secutive semesters (not including penses up front and submit receipts area for someone doing research. tending conferences and taking ences, including travel; and many ex- Summer session). for reimbursement. Someone working on a courses. But the cost of professional penses related to research projects. Applications and guidelines have The fund “meets a long- New grants doctorate could use it to development can be prohibitive for been mailed to adjuncts and continu- desired need for support recognize pay for printing a disser- CUNY’s underpaid adjuncts and con- 6 HOURS NEEDED ing education teachers and can also for adjuncts’ scholarly tation. People present- tinuing education teachers. Adjuncts are eligible if they are be downloaded at www.psc-cuny.org/ and creative work,” says professional life ing at or participating in The new PSC-CUNY Adjunct Pro- teaching at least six contact hours in AdjunctContinuingEdDev.htm. Ap- PSC Vice President for of adjuncts. professional confer- fessional Development Fund, which the semester in which they apply, plications from adjuncts must be Part-Time Personnel Mar- ences might use a grant has $500,000 to disburse, takes a big have taught at least one course in signed by their department chairs; cia Newfield. Newfield notes that to cover travel, registration costs first step towards addressing this the two most recent semesters (not those from continuing education the fund’s $500,000 comes from a and professional membership fees.” problem. The fund, established under including Summer session) and have teachers must be signed by the pro- one-time infusion of money, but Workshops on the Adjunct Pro- the 2002-2007 contract, represents the been notified of reappointment for gram directors. Retirees and full-time that in the current contract talks, fessional Development Fund and first time CUNY has provided institu- the next consecutive semester. CUNY employees who also work as the union has presented a demand how to apply for a grant will be held tional support for the career develop- Continuing education teachers adjuncts are not eligible. to make the fund permanent, sup- at the PSC office on April 27 and ment of contingent faculty. are eligible if they have been ap- After an application is submitted, ported by recurring contributions May 10. (See Calendar, page 4, for Grants will be made for up to $3,000 pointed to a position that will contin- it will be reviewed by the Adjunct from CUNY. details). For more information con- per academic year. Eligible adjuncts ue for a period of more than six Professional Development Commit- “We are eager to see a wide range tact Linda Slifkin (lslifkin@psc- and continuing education teachers months and requires them to teach tee, which will decide whether to ap- of applications, reflecting the unusu- mail.org) or Clarissa Weiss can apply for funds to cover tuition, a minimum of 20 hours per week, prove the grant. Note that an al accomplishment and profession- (cweiss@pscmail. org); both can al- books and registration fees for rele- and have taught in such an appoint- application must be approved by the alism of adjuncts at CUNY,” so be reached at (212) 354-1252. Clarion | April 2007 UNION NEWS 9

PROFESSIONAL STAFF CONGRESS/CUNY America requires management to make estimates and accrued benefit costs as of August 31, 2006 and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and employer contributions, benefits paid and of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contin- net periodic pension costs for the year then PSC budget FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDITOR’S REPORT gent assets and liabilities at the date of the finan- ended: cial statements. Estimates also affect the reported Benefit obligation $(1,224,227) The PSC is committed to financial AUGUST 31, 2006 amounts of revenues and expenses during the re- Fair value of plan assets 1,325,790 porting period. Actual results could differ from transparency: members are enti- TABLE OF CONTENTS those estimates. Funded status $101,563 tled to know how their dues are be- Cash and cash equivalents – For financial state- ing spent. As is usual practice, we Independent Auditor’s Report ment purposes, the organization counts all liquid Prepaid pension benefit cost debt instruments with maturity at the time of recognized in the balance sheet $357,930 publish the annual audit for your Exhibit purchase of three months or less to be cash Benefits paid $83,800 information. (See statement at left.) A – Balance Sheet equivalents. Please feel free to contact me with B – Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Change in Net Assets Functional allocation of expenses – The costs of Net periodic pension cost $121,703 any questions. C – Statement of Cash Flows providing services have been summarized on a functional basis. Accordingly, certain costs have Weighted average assumptions as of – Michael Fabricant been allocated between the program and support- August 31, 2006: PSC Treasurer Notes to Financial Statements ing services benefited. Discount rate 6.5% Expected return on plan assets 7.0% Unrestricted net assets – Unrestricted net assets Rate of compensation increase 4.0% Independent Auditor’s Report include funds having no restriction as to use or purpose imposed by donors. PSC-CUNY’s pension plan asset allocations by Board of Directors asset category are as follows: NOTE 3 – FIXED ASSETS Awards panel Asset category Professional Staff Congress/CUNY Useful Lives Cash and cash equivalents 18% Please nominate faculty to lead We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Professional Staff Con- Equipment $333,670 5 years Equities 46 PSC/CUNY Award panels in many Leasehold improvements 359,240 15 years Fixed income 36 gress/CUNY as of August 31, 2006 and the related statements of revenues, ex- Furniture and fixtures 211,288 5-7 years areas, including visual arts, bio- penses and change in net assets and cash flows for the year then ended. These Construction in progress 9,042 PSC-CUNY’s investment policies are designed to chemistry, molecular biology, busi- financial statements are the responsibility of the organization’s management. ensure adequate plan assets are available to pro- 913,240 vide future payments of pension benefits to eligi- ness, finance, communications, Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based Accumulated depreciation ble participants. Taking into account the expected linguistics, speech, languages, eco- on our audit. and amortization (512,161) long-term rate of return on plan assets, PSC- nomics, engineering, ethnic and We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally ac- $401,079 CUNY formulates the investment portfolio com- posed of the optimal combination of cash and cash area studies, history, library sci- cepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan NOTE 4 – LEASE equivalents, equities and fixed income. ence, mathematics, music, perform- and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the finan- PSC/CUNY rents space for its administrative of- Cash Flows ing arts, psychology and women’s cial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes consider- fice. The rent is pursuant to a lease that expires studies. See www.ufs.cuny.edu or ation of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit on September 30, 2006. The lease includes provi- PSC-CUNY expects to contribute $197,889 to its sions for escalations and utility charges. pension plan in 2006. procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose call (212) 794-5538 by May 11. PSC/CUNY has taken on a new lease for its ad- The following benefit payments, which reflect ex- of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Professional Staff Congress/ ministrative office which also includes provisions pected future service, are expected to be paid as for escalations and utility charges. The rent for follows: CUNY’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no the lease commences October 1, 2006 and the lease such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence sup- expires June 30, 2022. Year Ended porting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the Rent expense for the year ended August 31, 2006 2010 $103,513 Pre-retirement accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as was $593,527. 2011-2015 1,710,916 well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that Minimum payments required under the lease are our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. as follows: NOTE 6 – FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES conference In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in 2007 $668,538 Professional Staff Congress/CUNY provides col- all material respects, the financial position of Professional Staff Congress/CUNY 2008 701,287 lective bargaining and other union-related ser- The annual PSC Pre-retirement as of August 31, 2006, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the 2009 715,313 vices to its members. Expenses related to these 2010 729,620 Conference will be held on Tues- year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in programs are: 2011 744,212 day, June 12, from 9:00 to 4:00 at the United States of America. Thereafter 9,159,498 Programs $9,643,558 Management and general 1,009,397 the CUNY Graduate Center. This December 21, 2006 LOEB &TROPER PSC/CUNY rents out a portion of its premises to conference is designed for mem- an affiliated organization. Total rental income for $10,652,955 655 Third Avenue, 12th floor, New York, NY 10017 the year was $224,518. bers who will retire in about five years and will feature speakers on PROFESSIONAL STAFF CONGRESS/CUNY the Internal Revenue Code. PSC/CUNY’s primary NOTE 5 – PENSION PLANS NOTE 7 – CONCENTRATIONS source of revenues is membership dues. Clerical and support staff are covered by a non- Financial instruments which potentially subject financial planning, health benefits NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS contributory defined contribution pension plan the Company to a concentration of credit risk are and taxes. If you wish to attend, AUGUST 31, 2006 administered by Local 153 - OPEIU. For the year cash and cash equivalents with major financial in- NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ended August 31, 2006, the contributions to these stitutions in excess of FDIC insurance limits. please return the form below be- ACCOUNTING POLICIES NOTE 1 – NATURE OF ORGANIZATION plans amounted to $137,663. These financial institutions have strong credit rat- fore June 1. Breakfast and lunch ings and management believes that credit risk re- Professional Staff Congress/CUNY (PSC/CUNY) Basis of accounting – The financial statements PSC/CUNY also sponsors a defined benefit pen- will be provided. If you need are prepared on the accrual basis. lated to these accounts is minimal. is Local 2334 of the American Federation of Teach- sion plan covering all professional (non- kosher food, please send a note ers and was created by a merger of the Legislative Fixed assets – Fixed assets are recorded at cost. clerical/support) employees who are over the Conference of The City University of New York Depreciation is recorded on the straight-line age of twenty-one and have completed one year NOTE 8 – INVESTMENTS with your registration. of service, except those covered above. All con- and the United Federation of College Teachers. It method over the estimated useful lives of the as- Cost Market was created to be the collective bargaining repre- sets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over tributions are made by PSC/CUNY. No partici- pant contributions except for temporary sentative of the instructional staff of the City Uni- the life of the lease on the straight-line method. Bond funds $2,343,503 $2,619,921 I will attend the PSC Pre-retirement versity of New York. employees are required under the plan. Use of estimates – The preparation of financial Stock funds 380,606 489,217 PSC/CUNY is a not-for-profit organization exempt statements in conformity with accounting princi- The following table summarizes the benefit Conference. Enclosed is $_____ registration from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(5) of ples generally accepted in the United States of obligations, fair value of assets, funded status $2,724,109 $3,109,138 fees for ____ places at $25 each.

EXHIBIT A EXHIBIT B EXHIBIT C Name PROFESSIONAL STAFF CONGRESS/CUNY PROFESSIONAL STAFF CONGRESS/CUNY PROFESSIONAL STAFF CONGRESS/CUNY BALANCE SHEET STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENSES AND CHANGE IN NET ASSETS STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS ______AUGUST 31, 2006 AUGUST 31, 2006 AUGUST 31, 2006 ASSETS Revenues Cash flows from operating activities ______Cash and cash equivalents $500,628 Membership dues $9,243,664 Change in net assets (Exhibit B) $552,271 Certificate of deposits 1,565,713 Subsidies from affiliates – Investments (Note 8) 3,109,138 New York State United Teachers and Adjustments to reconcile change in net assets Address Accounts receivable 230,658 American Federation of Teachers 1,478,727 to net cash provided by operating activities Dues receivable 1,130,502 Interest and dividends (net of $11,815 investment fees) 211,310 Depreciation and amortization 11,975 ______Prepaid pension (Note 5) 357,930 Loss on investments (2,471) Loss on investments 2,471 Other prepaid expenses 10,165 Rental income 224,518 Increase in assets Fixed assets (net of Total revenues 11,155,748 Accounts receivable (140,487) ______accumulated depreciation of Dues receivable (396,000) $512,161 in 2006) (Note 3) 401,079 Expenses Prepaid pension (15,958) Salaries 1,655,684 Increase (decrease) in liabilities City ______Total assets $7,305,813 Fringe benefits 703,735 Due to New York State United Teachers and Depreciation and amortization 11,975 American Federation of Teachers (154,000) LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Dues to affiliated organizations 5,457,906 Accounts payable 251,595 State ______Due to the New York State Conferences and meetings 158,915 Accrued fringe benefits (4,270) United Teachers and American Moving related costs 321,003 Other accrued expenses 623 Federation of Teachers $724,000 Occupancy 717,955 Zip ______Accounts payable 485,765 Repairs and maintenance 132,994 Net cash provided by operating activities 108,220 Accrued fringes benefits 393,496 Office supplies, printing, publishing 235,942 Retirement System ______Other accrued expenses 63,793 Postage and delivery 59,984 Cash flows from investing activities Professional fees 252,778 Purchase of fixed assets (373,496) Total liabilities 1,667,054 Contract and budget campaign expenses 187,815 Purchase of certificate of deposits (223,239) College ______Insurance 22,108 Liquidation of certificate of deposits 309,006 Net assets (Exhibit B) Reassigned time and stipends 564,933 Purchase of investments (343,064) Unrestricted 5,638,759 Mobilization and outreach 35,684 Date of original CUNY Community relations 23,115 Net cash used by investing activities (630,793) employment ______Total liabilities and net assets $7,305,813 Other expenses 60,951 Total expenses (Note 6) 10,603,477 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (522,573) See independent auditor’s report. Make checks payable to Change in unrestricted net assets (Exhibit C) 552,271 Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year 1,023,201 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Professional Staff Congress and return statements. Net assets – beginning of year 5,086,488 Cash and cash equivalents – end of year $ 500,628 by June 1, 2007 to: Net assets – end of year (Exhibit A) $5,638,759 Clarissa Gilbert Weiss, PSC/CUNY, See independent auditor’s report. See independent auditor’s report. The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 61 Broadway, 15th floor, The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. New York, NY 10006. 10 OPINION Clarion | April 2007

GENDER AND POLICY number of tax brackets from 25 (1971–1978) to six (2004) and dramatically lowered the top tax rate on all incomes. (See chart.) Since the mid-1970s, these changes in the tax system have shortchanged women. The first wave of tax cuts left nearly 30% of all Taxes are a women’s issue taxpayers out in the cold, including 17 mil- lion mothers with incomes below 125% of the poverty line and 1.5 million elderly women By MIMI ABRAMOVITZ living alone. While Congress eventually low- Hunter and Graduate Center Changes in tax rates since 1970s ered taxes on income below the poverty line, most of the added tax cuts went to the rich, n 1858, Lucy Stone protested that with- 80% benefiting disproportionately fewer women. out the vote, women suffered taxation Early 2000s By 2006, 71% of tax cut benefits flowed to the without representation. From the time 70% top 20% of households. In contrast, many of that challenge to the massive tax 1970s women suffered from massive cuts in pro- cuts of recent years, the US tax sys- 60% grams that since the New Deal had provided

temI has shortchanged women – especially s them with jobs; underwritten women’s care e c i t t s a 50% i t low-income women and women of color. r work in the home; helped women balance

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broken down by gender or race have obscured o gaining power at home and at work. In a 2005

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this reality. Nonetheless, because the caretak- u poll, 46% of women said their families had a

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priorities, taxes are a women’s issue. e C

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x Today, given public opposition to the Iraq a T

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Women are affected by the tax system on 0% s war, some loss of support for tax cuts and e

Personal Dividend Capital Estate Corporate c r

three key fronts: as taxpayers, consumers of u Democrats’ control of Congress, the time o government services and public employees. Income Tax Income Gains Tax Tax S may be right to improve economic tax litera- They account for about 50% of all taxpayers, Type of Tax cy and to reframe the debate on behalf of a and wives now contribute more than one-third ABOVE: fair and just tax system. A 2004 poll found of household income. Given women’s low-pay- Reaganomics trumps the New Deal, as the gov- that 55% of respondents felt federal tax cuts ing jobs and the poverty of single mothers, ernment has slashed top tax rates in category Income by gender had gone too far. women comprise over 60% of the taxpayers in after category. $2000 We can reframe the debate by reminding the bottom 20% of households and are concen- Male Female ourselves that “everyone is on welfare.” Con- trated in the lowest brackets. Women would record high of 94% and increased the number trary to conventional wisdom, the US has two benefit most from a system that collected tax- of brackets to new high of 25. welfare systems. The well-known and highly es based on one’s ability to pay. By the end of WWII, the introduction of $1500 visible social welfare system is administered at 6

Due to women’s low wages, lack of wealth, the withholding tax and a further reduction 0 the federal level by the Department of Health 0 2

limited savings, longevity and role as the na- in the tax exemption level caused the num- n and Human Services. It includes both the mea- i

s $1000

tion’s primary caregivers, women are also ber of taxpayers to jump tenfold to 75% of all e ger and stigmatized means-tested public assis- g the primary consumers of many tax-funded workers. This transformed the “class” tax in- a tance programs that serve the poor, such as w

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goods and services such as cash assistance to a “mass” tax – interestingly, just as l TANF and food stamps, and the more popular k and social programs that have improved the women began to enter the work force in larg- e and generous social insurance programs such

e $500 well-being of women and their families since er numbers. The payment of the tax bill drift- W as Social Security and Medicare that also serve the New Deal. For women, the recent tax ed downward, but nearly everyone got the middle class. Women and working-class cuts have translated into service cuts. something from the growth of publicly pro- people are over-represented in the social wel- $0 Taxes are also a women’s issue because vided goods and services. As a result, a 1972 Lowest-paid Highest-paid fare system. women predominate as public sector employ- poll found that people considered the federal 0-10% 80-90% The second, less visible system is the fiscal ees. The public sector has been a route to the income tax to be the “fairest” tax of all. of workers of workers welfare system. It is administered by the IRS middle class for many white women and for ABOVE: and delivers its benefits indirectly through women and men of color when the private PUBLIC POLICY U-TURN Men earn more than women at all levels – but the tax deductions, exemptions and credits. Both sector would not hire us. When tax cuts This “golden age of capitalism” came to gap is biggest at the top of the scale. In the graph are “welfare” systems because they under- translate into job cuts, women are dispropor- an end in the mid-1970s, as the nation faced above, men earn 15% more than women at lower write the same basic needs – including the tionately hurt. its second major economic crisis of the 20th incomes, but 36% more among higher earners. cost of raising children, but also the costs of century. housing, health care, education, child care PROGRESSIVE TAXATION CONTESTED In the 1930s, collapse of the economy, social to a decisive turn in government policy. Un- and retirement. Both systems also leave the Although women have nothing to lose and unrest and a growing labor movement had fortunately for women, the turn was in the Treasury with less money – one through di- everything to gain from a tax system based forced the nation’s leaders to turn to the gov- wrong direction. rect spending, the other through tax breaks. on ability to pay, the idea of a progressive tax ernment as the solution to their economic and The U-turn in public policy known as Disproportionately fewer women benefit from system has been highly contested throughout political woes. However reluctantly, the elite Reaganomics, supply side economics and neo- the fiscal welfare system, as they or their fam- US history. The nation originally lacked an accepted a redistribution of income down- liberalism sought to reduce the cost of doing ilies often do not earn enough to pay taxes or income tax and throughout the 1800s relied wards and an expanded the role for the state. business by undoing the New Deal. This eco- to itemize their tax bill. on highly regressive tariff and excise taxes. To this end, the New Deal (1) enlarged the role nomic recovery strategy surfaced in the mid- The burden of this system fueled public sup- of the federal government; (2) created the 1970s, was launched in full by Reagan and has REFRAME port for the 16th Amendment to the Constitu- modern welfare state; (3) helped business, been followed by every administration since. We can also reframe the debate by chal- tion (1913), which provided for taxation of farmers and organized labor get back on their To stimulate growth, it sought to redistribute lenging misleading spin. Talk of a tax “bur- wages, wealth and profits. Women won the feet; and (4) muted the period’s social conflicts. income upwards and downsize the state. To den” obscures the fact that well-funded right to vote in 1920 and so no longer suffered As important as it was, the new welfare this end, public policy (1) limited the role of the public services support the well-being of taxation without representation. state unfortunately perpetuated society’s in- federal government, (2) shrank the welfare women and the wider society. Talk of tax Movement toward a more progressive tax equities of race and gender. The regulations state, (3) lowered labor costs, and (4) weakened “relief” suggests that tax cuts relieve every- system lost ground in the post-World War I of the landmark Social Security Act (1935) fa- the influence of popular movements most like- one equally – when most of the “relief” has conservative backlash against Progressive vored married over single women, full-time ly to resist the resulting austerity plan. The gone to the rich. The call for “simplification” Era reforms. Opponents of a fair tax won homemakers over working wives and rein- main tactics included tax cuts, reduced social sounds appealing, but is actually part of the cuts at the top and expanded the tax base at forced the economic dependence of women on spending, the privatization of public services push for a “flat tax” that would undo the pro- the bottom, drawing more women workers men. Its programs also excluded domestic and the devolution of public policy to the states. gressive income tax altogether. and members of low-income households into workers and farm laborers – the main occupa- As the Far Right gained a grip on US public pol- Tax and spending policies that redistrib- the tax system and making them pay a larg- tions open to African Americans and Latinos icy, it sought to restore “family values” and ute income upwards and downsize the state er share. at the time, and the former almost entirely fe- “color-blind” government politics. are harmful to women. They also fall heavily The Great Depression of the 1930s and the male – and paved the way for a long and tar- Congress had chipped away at the pro- on CUNY’s mostly female students and on cost of World War II temporarily and be- nished history of “welfare-state racism.” gressivity of the tax system from 1945 to both faculty and staff in public higher educa- grudgingly overcame elite resistance to pro- In the mid-1970s, deindustrialization, 1975, but Reaganomics produced a systemat- tion. Tax policy is not a sexy issue, but we ig- gressive taxes. To pay for the New Deal, globalization and economic stagnation led ic overhaul. After 1975, Congress reduced the nore the fight for tax fairness at our peril. Congress raised top rates, but also brought more average households into the system. Based on Taxes Are A Women’s Issue: Re- Responding to the costs of World War II, framing the Debate by Mimi Abramovitz and Congress hiked the top tax rate again to a Progressive taxation benefits women. Sandra Morgen (Feminist Press, 2006). Clarion | April 2007 OPINION 11

UNIVERSITY STRATEGY The limits of ‘CUNY Lite’

By BARBARA BOWEN at CUNY.” (Though even those has decided to accept fairly limited in- PSC President celebratory ads seem a bit creases in public funding and haunted by the Daily News target them to a few very ew of us who were at CUNY in “F”; it’s hard not to hear a visible programs. If not 1999 will forget the June 7 front- note of surprise that such a all students can have page headline in the Daily News: distinguished person is actu- small classes and free lap- “F for CUNY.” That headline ex- ally at CUNY.) tops, then create an Hon- plains a lot about the changes in ors College where at least a FUniversity policy since 1999; in a sense, the RECOGNITION few students can enjoy CUNY central administration has been in I want to be clear: it is them – and make sure it’s flight from it ever since. an enormous relief to see covered in the press. If not “F for CUNY” was the paper’s terse and the University where we all faculty can have good malicious summary of the report released work no longer derided salaries or even full-time po- that day by Mayor Giuliani’s taskforce on in the media and a gen- sitions, then propose manage- the City University of New York. The actu- uine pleasure to see ment-driven salary increases al title of the report – “An Institution recognition of some of for a few. If most academic pro- Adrift” – was not much more than a gen- CUNY’s outstanding grams are desperately short of teel version of the same indictment. The students and faculty. funds, then create a few high- mayor’s handpicked taskforce – headed by The benefits of having profile programs under the di- Benno Schmidt, now chair of the CUNY major scholars as col- rect control of management and Board – constructed a narrative of CUNY’s leagues are obvious to those of make sure these are fully funded. recent history as a new version of The Fall: us who work here – benefits that CUNY had once been great, open admis- have to do with the texture of shared in- EVERY STUDENT sions had ruined it, and now the University tellectual life and have nothing to do My point is not that these pro- needed to be saved. The only hope was a with marketing. CUNY has always grams should not exist; it’s that fundamental shift in policy direction. Not had major scholars and great every CUNY student should only did “An Institution Adrift” oversimpli- teachers, including during the have the resources of stu- fy institutional history and overlook the Giuliani era when it was un- dents in the Honors College, substantial achievements of students, fac- der attack – but belated every faculty and staff mem- ulty and staff since the 1970s, it also failed recognition is still welcome. ber should have a major lift in to name the real problems. The PSC, though we vigor- salary, every academic program ously opposed the disman- should have the funds to do its THE MONEY PROBLEM tling of open admissions and work. That’s the way a great universi- The problem was money. In 1999, New introduction of a regime of ty is built – not by good PR and superfi- York was the only state in the nation testing, has worked with CUNY cial investment in a thin layer of where funding for higher education had management to bring about many of university life, or what I would call declined in the previous decade; moreover, the gains the “new CUNY” campaign cele- “CUNY Lite.” There is no substitute for CUNY had never been allowed to recover brates. The freefall in public funding for deep and thorough support – to unglam- from the fiscal crisis of the 1970s, and the CUNY has stopped; contractual provisions orous programs as well as the glamorous, number of full-time faculty was still 5,000 have been improved, especially to support to the lab technician who sets up the less than its level in 1975. CUNY was an research. With public funding no longer in equipment as well as to the professor with early victim of what later came to be called decline, with decent sabbaticals and un- whom he works, to basic skills courses as “starving the beast” – the strategy from tenured faculty research leave, more pro- well as advanced research labs. Ronald Reagan’s economic team that cut fessional development grants and 100 new The union’s vision for CUNY may be a

government funds for public institutions so conversion lines, we are undeniably in a m tougher sell, but it is the only honest way o c . deeply that they were bound to fail, thus better position than we were in 1999. i to restore and re-create our public univer- u r - i allowing the public to be persuaded that . sity. Under our leadership, the PSC has w

STILL POOR w funding for such worthless institutions w consistently refused to accept the political should be cut even further. Yet that’s not the whole story. agenda that dictates poverty for CUNY – But it is easier to rewrite academic poli- CUNY is still poor. To work or study what CUNY management would call “ac- cy and restrict admissions than to disman- here is to experience every day a lack cepting fiscal reality.” There is plenty of tle a whole political agenda. In the wake of of political will to provide adequate money in this city and state; New York that Daily News headline, the CUNY ad- funding for public higher education. Lag- Given that CUNY remains radically un- City is in the midst of the largest budget ministration ended open admissions, intro- ging salaries, unmanageable courseloads, der-funded, how has the University been surplus in its history – four billion dollars. duced standardized testing in place of unpaid overtime for professional staff, the able to position itself as “the new CUNY”? some faculty assessment of students, hired dependence of the entire University on the The secret is what I would call an accom- THE PARTS & THE WHOLE a new chancellor and began a well-orches- underpaid labor of adjuncts – not to men- modation to scarcity. Rather than trying to As I write this, we have yet to receive trated campaign to rewrite the narrative. tion leaky ceilings, horrible ventilation, buck the prevailing neoliberal politics that CUNY management’s contract demands, CUNY was strenuously “re-branded” as a lack of equipment and supplies – all of redistributes public wealth from the public but they have already signaled that they success. Eight years later, the campaign these are part of our reality. sphere to the private, CUNY management plan to address the crisis in our salaries by has clearly worked. Instead of racist head- proposing targeted, discretionary salary lines about CUNY’s failure, we see subway increases for a few rather than a major lift ads imploring us to “Look Who’s Teaching CUNY’s accommodation to scarcity in salaries for all. That might create an illu- sion of good pay at CUNY, but it would fail to build a real university. The truth is that there is no cheap way Clarion APRIL 2007 to turn around an institution that has been Newspaper of the Professional Staff Congress/City University of New York, collective bargaining representative of the CUNY instructional staff. Vol. 36, No. 3. PSC/CUNY is affiliated with the American Association the victim of years of planned neglect. of University Professors, National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers (Local 2334), AFL-CIO, the New York City Central Labor Council, and New York State United Teachers. Published It will cost money to restore competitive by PSC/CUNY, 61 Broadway, 15th floor, New York, NY 10006. Telephone: (212) 354-1252. Website: www.psc-cuny.org. E-mail: [email protected]. All opinions expressed in these pages are not necessarily salaries to CUNY, create manageable those of the PSC. PSC OFFICERS: Barbara Bowen, President; Steven London, First Vice President; Arthurine DeSola, Secretary; Michael Fabricant, Treasurer; Stanley Aronowitz, Jonathan Buchsbaum, Lorraine Cohen, John workloads, address the scandal of the Pittman, Nancy Romer, University-wide Officers; Robert Cermele, Vice President, Senior Colleges; Kathleen Barker, Marilyn Neimark, Alex Vitale, Senior College Officers; Anne Friedman, Vice President, adjunct labor system and provide for basic Community Colleges; Jacob Appleman, Lizette Colón, Susan O’Malley, Community College Officers; Iris DeLutro, Vice President, Cross Campus Units; Donna Veronica Gill, Steven Trimboli, Vera Weekes, human rights like paid parental leave. Cross Campus Officers; Marcia Newfield, Vice President, Part-Time Personnel; Susan DiRaimo, David Hatchett, Diane Menna, Part-Time College Officers; Peter Jonas, James Perlstein, Retiree Officers; Irwin H. Polishook, President Emeritus; Israel Kugler, Deputy President Emeritus; Peter I Hoberman, Vice President Emeritus, Cross Campus Units. Universities – at least good ones – are STAFF: Deborah Bell, Executive Director; Mary Ann Carlese, Associate Executive Director; Faye H. Alladin, Coordinator, Financial Services; Dorothee Benz, Coordinator, Communications; Debra L. Bergen, complex institutions, all of whose parts Director, Contract Administration & University-wide Grievance Officer; Nathaniel K. Charny, Director, Legal Affairs; Barbara Gabriel, Coordinator, Office Services and Human Resources; Diana Rosato, must be sustained if the whole is to be Coordinator, Membership Department; Clarissa Gilbert Weiss, Director, Pension and Welfare Benefits. Editor: Peter Hogness / Associate Editor: Dania Rajendra / Designer: Margarita Aguilar / Intern: Michelle Calderón / Proofreader: Nicole Lisa strong. There is no “lite” way to make © 2007 Professional Staff Congress/CUNY CUNY great. 12 UNION ACTION Clarion | April 2007 Five colleges shortchange adjuncts

By DIANE MENNA leges, but to the very faculty who PSC Executive Council are affected. It is silent also because we do not speak out against it. You are a victim of “workload “I was shocked that the Universi- creep.” Almost every one of us at ty would be that chintzy,” said Har- CUNY – full-time or part-time, facul- ry Cason, an adjunct at the College ty or staff – is doing more work for of Staten Island. “I can see that they less pay. This exploitation takes might make a mistake, but to defend many forms: more administrative a practice that is so unfair to those duties piled onto full-time faculty who teach and work on the side of without more reassigned time; the University is unbelievable.” meetings and student conferences “CUNY’s defense of five of its for part-time faculty without any schools that shortchange adjuncts pay; HEOs pressed to work is outrageous, to say the longer and longer hours “Campaign least,” commented Marcia without compensation. of Outrage” Newfield, PSC vice-presi- One of the more outra- dent for part-time person- geous and silent forms of aims to nel. “Will CUNY’s next workload creep affects fac- win equal subway ad be a boast about s r

ulty on five campuses: how much they get out of e d n

Baruch, Bronx Community pay for their employees, while giv- a S

e College, College of Staten Is- ing so little?” v a

equal work. D land, Kingsborough and Why do these five col- Queensborough Community Col- leges pay less for courses taught Adjunct activists plan strategy for the Campaign of Outrage. leges. These five CUNY colleges pay under adjunct titles? Throughout their adjuncts less than the other 12 most of CUNY, adjuncts are paid 45 teach a four- or five-hour course this factual issue. Instead, he found would take to provide full pay for colleges for the same amount of hours a semester for a three-credit are shortchanged even more.) for the colleges based on past prac- the 15th week is relatively small. work each semester – at least one course (three hours per week for 15 In an arbitration case decided last tice. Since the policy has been in And to give our campus some level hour less (or, at Kingsborough, 3/5 weeks). But in 1973, these five col- year, the University defended its place for over 30 years and the con- of equity with the other 12 colleges of an hour less). Full-time faculty leges started paying only 44 hours right to give unequal pay for equal tract does not specifically define a would do a lot for adjuncts’ morale.” who teach an overload course at (which Kingsborough, under facul- work and sought to impose a con- semester as 15 weeks long, he ruled Why, then, has management re- these five colleges are shortchanged ty pressure, later increased to 44.4). stricted, bureaucratic definition of that these five colleges can continue sisted the idea? “I think it’s a power in the same fashion. Administrators of these five col- what constitutes teaching. “The poli- their practice. The same legal argu- issue,” Pita said. “It’s an issue of leges argue that an instructor cy clearly assumes that a teacher is ment of past practice, however, safe- control.” WORKLOAD CREEP “teaches” three hours a week for 14 paid only for his or her hours stand- guards adjuncts at the other 12 Call it “workload creep” or “pay- weeks of a semester (totaling 42 ing in front of the class,” said Mari- colleges from suddenly receiving PETITION check shrinkage,” the result is much hours), but merely “proctors” a anne Pita, PSC chapter chair at Bronx less for the same amount of work. To end the silence and educate the same – the same amount of two-hour final exam in the 15th Community College. “But teaching is “The arbitrator said manage- everyone about the issue, the union work receives less pay. It is silent week. Therefore, they contend, the far more than that hour in the class- ment can keep doing it at these five has launched what organizers call because it is mostly unknown – not college should pay only 44 hours room, as everyone who teaches for a colleges,” commented Steve Lon- a “Campaign of Outrage.” A peti- only to faculty and staff at other col- for the semester. (Adjuncts who living knows quite well.” don, the union’s first vice president tion to the presidents of the five of- and chair of its contract enforce- fending colleges expressing anger THE BUSIEST WEEK ment committee, “but that doesn’t at their policy of shortchanging ad- At the hearing, the union present- make it right.” juncts is being circulated across the 15 weeks’ pay for 15 weeks’ work! ed extensive evidence that adjuncts “To pay only two hours for that fi- University and in the community. Protests to demand that these five colleges stop shortchanging do far more than “proctor” during fi- nal week is a slap in the face to ad- (See below.) Demonstrations are nals week. Preparing and grading juncts and all that they give to the planned for five days during finals adjuncts will be held on five days during finals week, from 12:00 exams, helping students prepare to University,” commented London. week, one day at each college. (See to 1:30 each day: take them, conferring with students “And to cheat our members this box at left.) Organizers are also dis- Monday, May 21 – Baruch over test results and final papers, way is a slap at the entire union.” tributing informational fliers – and etc. – all this can take far more time CUNY management talks a lot to spark discussion, they are wear- Tuesday, May 22 – Bronx CC than a teacher’s average weekly about “the integrated University,” ing day-glow stickers that read Wednesday, May 23 – College of Staten Island work the rest of the year. “For most London said. “But when it comes to simply, “Outraged!” Thursday, May 24 – Kingsborough CC of us, it’s the busiest week of the se- basic labor standards, they want to Being informed and speaking out, Friday, May 25 – Queensborough CC mester,” said Pita. “People go out of have it both ways.” organizers believe, is the first step their minds trying to get it all done.” “In terms of a college’s budget,” in pushing back against “workload For more information, call PSC Organizer Sue Li at (212) 354-1252. But the arbitrator did not rule on noted Pita, “the amount of money it creep.”

Professional Staff Congress/CUNY NonProfit Org. 61 Broadway, 15th Floor U.S. Postage New York, New York 10006 PAID New York, N.Y. 15–MINUTE ACTIVIST Permit No. 8049 Sign on for fairness Five CUNY colleges are refusing to Whether you’re full-time or part-time, give part-time faculty full pay for a full faculty or staff, whatever campus semester’s work. The PSC has orga- you work at – now is the time to nized a “Campaign of Outrage” to de- make your voice heard. Sign on at mand a change, and part-timers www.psc-cuny.org/Campaignof aren’t the only ones outraged by the Outrage.htm and ask your depart- double standard. Sign the petition de- ment colleagues to do the same. If manding that management at Baruch, you work on one of the offending CSI and Bronx, Kingsborough and campuses, ask them to join you at Queensborough CCs give adjuncts the protest on your campus during 15 weeks’ pay for 15 weeks’ work. the exam period. (See dates at left.)