November 2012 Vol. 39 • No. 2

Elections matter—and here’s why by Ellen Schuler Mauk

I write this article with four assumptions in mind:

1. As an FA member who understands the value of political awareness and ------cuts to Pell grants political action, you are not one of Political SCCC funding Science privatized higher ed 101 the 4% of eligible voters who is still ------no DREAM Act 21% county attacks on unions 23% state undecided about your vote in the 48% students presidential race;

2. As an FA member whose “enlightened self-interest” under- stands the immediate value of

voting for local legislators who vote Eaton original cartoon Chris Conzen by and Cynthia on the college budget and the FA contract, you may not always see the same direct value of voting in state and/or federal legislative races;

3. As an FA member, you want to know why our state union If Romney gets elected in November, Clint Eastwood (NYSUT) and our national unions won’t be the only one talking to empty chairs. (AFT and NEA) have endorsed the candidates they have and why the facts about why the collective Obama for a second term, there is no we should vote accordingly on we (FA, NYSUT, AFT, NEA) are need to go into the explanation here November 6. supporting certain candidates in the other than to say that your vote matters. upcoming election. Regardless of the fact that 4. As a politically well informed FA is considered a blue state and is already member, you are by now tired of What matters nationally being counted in the Obama electoral the political rhetoric and just want tally, the popular vote also counts in the facts about the candidates. Since the inside pages of this issue terms of impressing upon the public will present the comparison between and the newly elected legislatures the So, that’s what this issue of The the two presidential candidates and WORD intends to do—just give you why we are endorsing President Barack continued on page 6

1 Elections matter—and here’s why 5 The prized Professors on Wheels diploma 12 Do VPs matter? Yes! 2 Retirement: The graceful exit 7 Proactive academic advising 13 Teaching old dogs new old tricks 3 FYI and other news of note 8 2012 political endorsements 14 Compare the candidates 4 Why I support Tim Bishop 10 Presidential candidates on the issues 15 Holiday party RSVP FASCC • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 1 • The graceful exit: Beyond the finances by Susan Rubenstein DeMasi

“There’s a trick to the Graceful way to really prepare. Exit. It begins with the vision It’s like jumping off to recognize when a job, a life a precipice.” It can stage, a relationship is over— be both bittersweet and to let go. It means leaving and thrilling. Transi- what’s over without denying its tioning from a validity or its past importance demanding, active in our lives. It involves a sense schedule to one that of future, a belief that every is significantly slower exit line is an entry, that we are can be overwhelming. moving on rather than out… According to experts, that we don’t leave the best this transition can parts of ourselves behind, back be made easier with in the dugout or the office. planning. We own what we learned back Some retired SCCC faculty, How to Prevent or Resolve Marriage there. The experiences and the in a survey conducted by the FA, Conflicts Caused by Retirement. growth are grafted onto our emphasized that it helps to realize that Fairview Imprints. 2011 (excerpt at lives. And when we exit, we “your job doesn’t define you.” Many www.theretiringmind.com) can take ourselves along—quite recommend volunteering, traveling • Grace, Richard E. When Every Day gracefully.’’ if physically able, and enjoying new is Saturday: Planning for a Happy and old hobbies. Most agree that it’s Retirement. Purdue University For anyone about to enter important to “have a plan.” Press. 2010. the unknown territory known as Author Nancy K. Schlossberg • Schlossberg, Nancy. Revitalizing retirement, the above quote, from Ellen suggests creating a psychological Retirement: Reshaping Your Goodman’s newspaper column upon portfolio. In thinking about retirement, Identity, Relationships, and Pur- her own retirement, may capture the she says, “your identity is challenged. pose. American Psychological emotional frame of mind of prospective You begin to ask yourself, Who am Association. 2009. retirees. I, how do I define myself now that I • Zelinski, Ernie J. How to Retire Staying on track for retirement have, for example, left the work force Happy, Wild and Free: Retirement means more than just focusing and returned to school or retired? … Wisdom That You Won’t Get from on finances. Contemplating the How is this transition going to change Your Financial Advisor. Visions emotional, intellectual, and spiritual my relationships? Who will substitute International Publishing. 2009. can help retirees make that “graceful for the relationships I had? …How exit” while also giving them the tools to is this change going to influence my Websites construct a graceful beginning. purpose?” A recent retiree said, “There’s no Below are some resources to help • AARP. The personal growth section you move toward that “graceful exit.” (www.aarp.org/personal-growth) regularly covers issues such as Books lifelong learning, transitions, and spiritual growth. Cynthia Eaton...... Editor-in-Chief • Bolles, Richard N., and John • Transitions Through Life: How E. Nelson What Color Is Your to Survive According to Nancy K. Kevin Peterman...... PR Director Parachute? For Retirement— Schlossberg. Although the website William Burns...... Writer Planning a Prosperous, Healthy, and (www.transitionsthroughlife.com) Susan Rubenstein DeMasi...... Writer Happy Future. Ten Speed Press. is partially a vehicle to sell her 2010 books, the site does offer tips and • Delamontagne, Robert P. The information based on Schlossberg’s Retiring Mind and Honey I’m Home: years as a counselor and professor.

• • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 2 FYI: Highlights from the Executive Council and other news of note

• Check your accruals: The FA can answer your questions and • Adjuncts and NORA forms: In reminds its members periodically to provide you with a personalized addition to completing the NORA check the number of their accrued report identifying your out-of- form by October 31, adjuncts who vacation and sick days in Banner. pocket costs. regularly seek teaching and PA assignments should communicate • Health Cost Estimator: The • All-employees memo about their preference for one or the Health Advocates benefit brought EMHP: If you haven’t already, soon other directly to their chair or area to you by the FA Benefit Fund is a you should receive an all-employees supervisor in writing. Tell your free tool that you can use to get a memo regarding a summary of supervisor, for example, that you general estimate of the likely median benefits and coverage (SBC). This want a PA assignment if you don’t cost for various medical procedures. is just a summary of our benefits, as get a teaching assignment. required by the federal government If you (or a covered family member) during open enrollment periods; it Adjuncts should always communi- have questions about the cost of is not indicative of any changes to cate these issues to their chairs an upcoming medical service or our EMHP coverage. The terms of or supervisors, such as if your procedure, simply call Health the comprehensive benefits booklet availabilities change after the NORA Advocate at 866-695-8622 to speak (as amended from time to time) on form is submitted. Your supervisor with a personal health advocate the EMHP website prevail over the might be able to accommodate your (PHA). Utilizing cutting-edge cost SBC. changes, although the college is comparison technology, your PHA under no legal obligation to do so. photo by Kevin Peterman Kevin photo by

Liz Foley, Grant campus new member coordinator, speaks to new faculty and their mentors at the annual bagel brunch on October 3. Ammerman campus coordinator Lisa Aymong and Eastern campus coordinator Kathie Rogers are hosting brunches on their campuses on October 18 and 24, respectively. FASCC • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 3 • Why I support Congressman Tim Bishop by Kevin Peterman

So what is so important about the Or do we resort to the failed trickle the polariza- congressional races this year? How about down economic theories of the past? tion is so the basic mission of our profession— How? By giving tax breaks to the very extreme that our students! When our students are wealthy and slashing taxes which starve there is a clear experiencing cuts in funding and in the states and counties, forcing them to distinction. grants, what else can they imagine but the brink of collapse. The congress- “access denied.” I don’t mean to be dramatic, but ional race in Access denied to loans. this is what the two different visions the 1st CD Access denied to a college education. of America look like to me. The haves is all about Access denied to the American having more and the have not’s having the “vision of dream, to the idea that everyone has nothing. America.” a chance (and many times a second In the 1st Congressional District, We are working particularly hard to chance) to get an education and which is basically the eastern end of reelect Congressman Bishop. He is our succeed. Suffolk, there is a tightly contested race education voice in Washington. He is Why do our students conclude that that has really grabbed my attention. It the go-to guy with the higher education access may be denied? is a repeat of the election two years ago experience his fellow colleagues seek for When we have hardliners seeking when incumbent Tim Bishop narrowly advice and guidance. Tim Bishop knows office and demanding cuts in Pell defeated challenger and businessman our students’ needs. He knows how grants, they are directly attacking our Randy Altschuler by 593 votes. education cuts devastate opportunities. students. It is also a direct attack on our Although the candidates are the That’s not what we are about. We are profession and a direct attack on the same as the election two years ago, this about transforming lives, about getting American dream. time there is a difference. Super PACs our students to think and reason and According to Congressman Bishop, have dumped hundreds of thousands make a difference. SCCC had 8,831 students receiving dollars in the 1st CD election. The We need to make a difference. Pell grants last academic year for a pundits are saying this race is “the one This election is too important to stay total of $28.9 million. Just up Nicolls to watch.” home. Too important to let big money Road at Stony Brook, 6,177 students What really got me started was a crush the middle class, bash public received Pell grants totaling more than statement Altschuler made in May. He employees, and eliminate unions. $426 million. was quoted in several East End weeklies This election is about the future. You’ve already heard it: this saying that “Congressman Bishop is a This election is about going to the November there is a clear choice. career bureaucrat and needs to go.” I polls on November 6 and voting—for Do we invest in education, jobs, and was so outraged I wrote a letter to the candidates who support education, opportunities here at home to provide editors of those weeklies, and some public employees, and union values. an educated citizenry and good paying published it. jobs? There are several important races both statewide and nationally. We have to focus locally to make an impact in New Jersey Governor Albany and Washington. The FA is President of the United States Chris Christie participating in phone banks and labor Barack Obama walks for candidates seeking office in “[Democrats] believe Albany as well as in DC. We do not look “I do not view the labor in teacher’s unions. at political party affiliation—especially movement as part of [Republicans] believe on the state and local level. You can see the problem. To me, in teachers.” by the list of endorsed candidates on it’s part of the solution.” page 8 that we support candidates from Republican National Convention both parties. Middle Class Task Force Creation August 25, 2012 Unfortunately, on the national level, January 30, 2009

• • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 4 The prized Professors on Wheels diploma by Cynthia Eaton

Dan warned us. He told us that before graduation.” “they’re interested in everything.” being Professors on Wheels is often an “One woman came right up and Heraghty suggested that presenters emotional experience. To drive home hugged me,” declared Al Heraghty keep it simple and added, “This isn’t the point, he shared the story of a senior (Physical Education), “and an older something you do for promotion; you resident from one of his own lectures. gentleman was so determined to show should do this for yourself.” The woman was near the end of her life, that he’s still ‘got it’ he dropped right on Linker has enjoyed the positive feed- and she knew it. She wanted just three the floor and started doing push ups.” back from presenters and participants things in her casket, she said: a photo The seniors’ energy was evident alike. It’s real interaction with real of her family, a personal memento, and in Courtney Brewer’s (Psychology) people for whom you’re making a real her Professors on Wheels diploma. workshops too. “They are just so difference, he told the audience. The September 21 Professors on eager to share their funny stories and Plus, it helps break the “ensconced Wheels workshop drew an audience examples,” she added. in Ivy” image the public has of college of over two dozen FA members who DeLong, Heraghty, and Brewer professors. “They don’t see us unless wanted to learn more about this shared advice for prospective presenters. they’re in our classes or we’re on the powerful program. They heard from DeLong indicated that offering brief picket line,” he noted. “We are not lazy past Wheels presenters, who also spoke segments of information then pausing elitists who live only for summers off. to how meaningful the program is. for questions worked best for her We work hard—and we’re good people “One resident told me no fewer than lecture on the Crusades. Brewer noted who really do care about, and give back seven times,” smiled Audrey DeLong that presenter topics don’t have to be to, our communities.” (English), “that mine was her last class directly related to the elderly because photo by Gayle Sheridan Gayle photo by

Participants at the September 21 Professors on Wheels workshop sign up to volunteer. Program coordinator Dan Linker (center back) shared the program’s mission and guidelines with over two dozen participants, with help from Wheels presenters Courtney Brewer, Audrey DeLong, and Al Heraghty. FASCC • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 5 • Elections matter because, in the past, most incumbent protecting the funding for SUNY and continued from page 1 legislators supported an education and CUNY. His leadership on higher ed workers’ rights agenda. issues over the years has been essential This last legislative session, however, in making sure that higher ed funding measure of public support the elected the tone in Albany had changed issues are not overlooked when the president has in moving his legislative considerably—so you’ll notice the smoke clears after budget battles in agenda—and public education, public list on page 8 of NYSUT endorsed Albany. His advocacy has clearly higher education, and the right to form candidates for the state Senate and made a difference to us, and NYSUT unions and bargain collectively are Assembly on is considerably acknowledged it with its endorsement. definitely in his agenda. smaller than in past years. This list Of particular note is the endorse- While no election can be taken reflects the new political reality check ment in two races where there is no for granted, , Steve of not only looking at what legislators incumbent. In those races NYSUT Israel, and Carolyn McCarthy are not did and did not do but also which ones supports Rick Montano for state in races that are considered as close or we can actually get our members out to senator in the 4th Senatorial District as targeted as Tim Bishop’s race. From support. and Joe Dujmic for state assemblyman a higher ed standpoint, the Bishop race As you might imagine, there is in the 10th Assembly District. is particularly important to us. Aside considerable anger and frustration Both candidates received enthusi- from any particular legislation he may among our K-12 colleagues over the astic support from local union leaders or may not have backed, Tim Bishop misguided education agenda in NYS in their districts and the LI Federation, has been particularly helpful in the that seems to hold teachers almost which is committed to work in their House education committee when it solely responsible for the problems in campaigns to get out the vote. In comes to higher education issues. our schools. In this endorsement cycle, particular Rick Montano, who is He is one of very few members of NYSUT looked at three criteria: currently a Suffolk County legislator, Congress whose 25-plus years in various has been very supportive of SCCC and administrative positions, including • Legislators who voted for legislation the FA with our contract and both the provost of Southampton College, have that promoted public education operating and capital budgets of the enabled him to be the go-to person in and workers’ rights college. We know he’ll continue to explaining the nuances of The Higher advocate for us in Albany. Education Reauthorization Act to his • Legislators who also took bold congressional colleagues. stands in advocating for our What matters to us Bishop also speaks with conviction positions in their political caucuses regarding the importance of Pell grant Obviously, the endorsements in this aid and Stafford loans to the students • Legislators who made even bolder edition of The WORD are not based on we serve and he credibly challenged stands in voting against legislation all issues that our members consider the Spelling Commission’s approach that harms our members and when voting for a candidate. And just to dismantle the accreditation agencies cripples our ability to provide as obviously, we realize that not every and processes that distinguish legitimate quality education at all levels. FA member is going to agree with all higher ed institutions from fly-by- the endorsements made by our state night, for-profit storefront operations. The proverbial line in the sand in and national affiliates. As higher ed professionals, we need almost all of the endorsement decisions But from where we all sit as higher ed someone in Congress who gets us, who was that NYSUT did not support any professionals and academic unionists, understands the value of tenure, of state legislator who voted for the 2% the information in this issue is at least academic freedom, of the free exchange cap law and Tier 6, regardless of that a starting point to consider where we of ideas on a college campus, of faculty legislator’s position of power. individually and collectively stand. governance, and of collegial decision- The only exception to this position What matters most is that we get making. on Long Island was NYSUT’s out and vote on November 6. endorsement of state Sen. Ken LaValle. What matters in the state Despite his vote on the other two issues, Sen. LaValle’s advocacy of higher In the past NYSUT generally education was critical to the restoration endorsed mostly incumbent legislators of community college funding and to

• • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 6 Proactive academic advising by Al Heraghty (Physical Education)

Editor’s note: The Title III Faculty 4. Talk with students outside of their SAIN, their schedules, etc. Mentoring and Student Engagement class: Whenever I see my students This models for them how to stay (FM&SE) group is encouraging faculty on campus, I ask them how their organized and how to keep track of to become more involved with academic classes are going and if they know their own academic progress. advisement. In this article, Al Heraghty what they are taking the next (associate professor of physical education) semester. I encourage them not 4. Make a list of things to do: On shares techniques that have proven to wait until priority registration their file I usually give them some valuable in his own advisement efforts. before they build their schedule. tasks, for example, know when to register in Banner, go to the There are so many benefits to Meeting with advisees financial aid office, or visit the advising students here at SCCC, from writing or tutoring center. retention and full classrooms to positive 1. Design an advising syllabus: student attitudes about the guidance This gives students my contact 5. Master academic plan: My they receive. When you reach out to information, hours of availability, students love this! They like to students and help them—whether it’s and college resources. It also provides know what they need to take in with understanding their SAIN report, a list of their responsibilities and a order to graduate. This is already building a schedule, or staying on track master academic plan (MAP) for done in the college catalog, but with degree requirements—they will their particular concentration. students appreciate having their never forget that you were there. own copy. We review it, and the In my 13 years at the college, I 2. Review the SAIN report: Print students are able to update it in have developed some activities that are the student’s SAIN and show them their advisement folder. not only effective but have received how to read it, especially when it encouraging feedback from students. comes to how many credits they Feel free to try these techniques with Below are some proactive advising need for their degree. your own students. I welcome questions strategies that I use in and out of the and feedback on how successful they classroom. 3. Build a file: For each advisee, I create were for you. a file with all their information, Engaging students

1. Include advisement in your course outline: Add information about advising and hours of availability.

2. Talk about it on the first day of Peterman Kevin photo by class: I find that many students do not know that faculty also can serve as advisors. Students are more comfortable seeing someone they know for advisement.

3. Schedule meeting times: I have students sign in whenever they meet with me for advisement. I try to see most of them before priority registration, so they’re all set with their desired CRN numbers on the day they register. Al Heraghty (Physical Education, Grant) meets with an advisee in his office. Heraghty serves on the Title III working group Faculty Mentoring and Student Engagement (FM&SE). FASCC • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 7 • 2012 political endorsements by Kevin Peterman

As noted in the September WORD, I spent time this summer at both the NYSUT and the New York State AFL-CIO endorsement conferences. There’s no question that both organizations engaged in healthy discussion and debate, and then relied on their locals for input and recommendations before they made endorsement decisions. Below are the results of those and other endorsement processes. The FA encourages you to consider these endorsements when you vote on November 6.

Key D - Democrat L - Liberal W - Working Families R - Republican C - Conservative G - Green I - Independence

National Elections

position district party candidate AFT NYSUT NYS AFL-CIO LI Federation

President D Barack Obama    

Congress

Senate D Kirsten E. Gillibrand    

House 1 D Timothy Bishop     2 D Steve Israel     4 D Carolyn McCarthy    

State Elections

position district party candidate NYSUT NYS AFL-CIO LI Federation

Senate 1 R, C, I Kenneth P. LaValle    4 D   6 R, C, I Kemp Hannon  8 R, C, I Charles Fuschillo, Jr.   9 R Dean G. Skelos 

Assembly 1 R, I, WF  3 R Dean Murray  4 D, I, WF Steven Englebright   5 R, I Alfred Graf    6 D, I, WF    7 D Christopher Bodkin  9 R, C, I Joseph Saladino    10 D, WF Joseph Dujmic    11 D, I, WF Robert Sweeney  12 R, C Andrew Raia    13 D Charles D. Lavine    14 R David McDonough    16 D, I, WF Michelle Schimel    20 D, I, WF Harvey Weisenberg  

• • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 8 Elections matter for higher education; Or, what has Obama done for us lately?

Throughout his presidency, Barack Obama has been a stalwart believer in higher education’s promise of creating opportunity for all Americans.

• President Obama increased funding for community colleges, recognizing that community colleges play a key role in helping Americans acquire the education, skills, and credentials they need to succeed.

• President Obama worked to raise the maximum Pell grant available to students. The amount of funding available for Pell grants has more than doubled since he took office, as the number of Pell grant recipients has increased by 50 percent.

• Under President Obama, the expanded $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit for tuition expenses last year helped more than 9 million students attend college.

• By reforming the student loan process, President Obama made college more affordable for middle-class students, and now faculty at public colleges and universities, nurses, and members of the armed forces can have their student loans forgiven after 10 years.

• President Obama signed an executive order protecting veterans’ and military families’ Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits from fraud and abuse by for-profit colleges, including unduly aggressive recruiting techniques on and off military installations, misrepresentation of program benefits, and payment of recruiters based on the number of students they enroll. photo courtesy of Karen GJ Lewis photo courtesy of Karen

Chicago Teachers Union president Karen GJ Lewis sent the above photo with a letter expressing appreciation of the FA’s support during the recent CTU strike. Lewis writes, “There were many variables to consider when were forced by our employer to take a job action on September 10: our members and their families weighed heavily on our minds, the students who would not be in our classrooms, public opinion, and even the threat of political fallout, to name a few. But we never wavered or grew weary because of the unity, solidarity, and well wishes we received from you and our brothers and sisters in the Faculty Association of Suffolk Community College. We are forever grateful for your words of encouragement and acts of kindness.” FASCC • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 9 • The candidates on the issues adapted from the NEA 2012 Issues Guide

With the 2012 election right around the corner, documents such as the NEA 2012 Issues Guide can be useful in helping voters compare the candidates on the most pressing issues. Since we are members of a higher education bargaining unit, some key issues for our membership are highlighted below. For NEA’s presentation of other important issues, visit www.EdVotes.org/Election 2012.

President of the United States Former Gov. of Massachusetts Barack Obama Mitt Romney Education The Obama administration has made As governor of Massachusetts, Romney slashed Funding education funding its highest domestic $2.3 million from school readiness grants, priority: early literacy programs, and school meals for low-income students. • The FY2013 budget provides the largest percentage increase to education. As a candidate for president, Romney has • The American Recovery and Reinvestment pledged his support for Rep. Paul Ryan’s Act saved 400,000 educator jobs and the budget, which would cut funding for Education Jobs Fund saved an additional education and other priorities, such as cutting 150,000 jobs. Title I by $2.7 billion and slashing Head Start • The administration strongly supports the access for 100,000 kids. American Jobs Act, which contains $30 billion in funding for states to hire and rehire educators.

source: WhiteHouse.gov sources: Gloucester Daily Times, 11/30/06; MA Budget and Policy Center, 3/5/03; The Note, ABC, 3/20/12; Education Week Blog, 3/22/12

Higher President Obama has consistently promoted Romney has continually supported policies to Education affordable access to higher education for all cut funding to higher education and would students. He has: support increasing the number of for-profit higher education institutions. • Signed into law $36 billion over 10 years to increase the maximum Pell grant award As governor of Massachusetts, he proposed and $2 billion for community colleges. raising tuition by 15% and reduced higher • Led the charge to stop the student loan education funding. As a result, student fees interest rate hike. were increased by 63% to offset budget cuts. • Signed an executive order protecting men Romney’s higher education plan calls for cuts and women who have served or are cur- in federal funding because he says it “helped rently in the military from unscrupulous fuel the problem,” and will roll back student- “diploma mills.” protection regulations in the for-profit and student loan industries that curb fraud and abuse.

source: WhiteHouse.gov sources: Boston Globe, 3/3/03; Boston Globe, 6/29/07; Ames Tribune, 12/29/11; Mitt Romney Education Plan, 5/23/12

• • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 10 The candidates on the issues adapted from the NEA 2012 Issues Guide

President of the United States Former Gov. of Massachusetts Barack Obama Mitt Romney

Workers’ President Obama fully supports workers’ rights Romney has stated he would sign a national Rights to form unions and opposes so-called “right- “right-to-work” law if president. to-work” legislation. Romney supported the failed New Hampshire President Obama believes “collective “right-to-work” law and waffled on restricting bargaining is a ‘fundamental American value.’” teachers’ collective bargaining rights in Ohio, The President cited labor as “the reason we ultimately supporting restrictions. have a minimum wage, weekends away from work to rest and spend time with family, and Romney also supported the attack on teachers’ basic protections in our workplaces.” He said rights in Wisconsin. “making it harder for public employees to collectively bargain is an assault on unions.”

sources: Presidential Proclamation, Office of the sources: The Street, 9/28/11; Bloomberg, 11/23/11; Los Secretary, The White House, 9/2/11; WTMJ-TV, Angeles Times, 11/30/11; Politico, 10/25/11; Boston 2/17/11; Political Punch, ABC, 2/17/11; The Washington Globe, 2/24/11 Independent, 9/6/11; WSAZ.com, 4/26/11

Social Security President Obama is committed to protecting Romney would change Social Security as we and Retirement and strengthening Social Security. He know it by privatizing it, raising the retirement Benefits will work to find a bipartisan solution age, and reducing payments. that strengthens Social Security for future generations, without putting current retirees or people with disabilities at risk. The president opposes slashing benefits for future generations or subjecting Americans’ retirement income to the whims of the stock market.

sources: WhiteHouse.gov; Weekly Radio Address, sources: Florida Republican Debate, 10/27/07; Romney, 8/14/10 Mitt. No Apology, 2011, p.173

Fair Pay for The president strongly supported and signed As governor of Massachusetts, Romney Women the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law. implemented policies that hurt women. He thinks low-income mothers should be required He also supports the Paycheck Fairness Act to work outside the home or lose their and acknowledges that “gains in education and benefits, “even if you have a child two years of labor force involvement have not yet translated age.” into wage and income equity.”

sources: WhiteHouse.gov; The Washington Post, 1/29/09 sources: MSNBC, 4/12/12; Boston Globe, 12/8/04; The Huffington Post, 4/15/12 FASCC • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 11 • Do vice presidents matter? This election says yes!

• • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 12 Teaching old dogs new ways to do old tricks: Review of the ELT mentor workshop by Cynthia Eaton

True or false? It’s easier for adults • Paraphrasing. It’s helpful to learn to do a familiar task in an to pick up on critical unfamiliar way than it is to learn a words or phrases from completely new task. the mentee. Acknowledge According to the mentor seminar and validate responses and held on October 5, this is false. You feelings by restating them can teach an “old dog”—referring to in your own words. Peterman Kevin photo by adults versus children—new tricks. It’s teaching them new ways to do old tricks • Accepting nonjudgmen- that’s the problem. tally. This includes verbal This and other insights into the and nonverbal (body) complex relationships between mentors language. Avoid using and mentees were discussed at the judgmental phrases; allow workshop, which was cosponsored the mentee to be his or Facilitator Barbara Luna and FA president Ellen Schuler by the Office of the Vice President of her own judge. Mauk greet thirty-plus participants at the mentoring workshop. Academic and Student Affairs and the FA. • Clarifying. Probe for more detail or College wide new member coord- Facilitator Barbara Luna of the clarity. Press for specificity. But be inator Sarah Gutowski explained, NYSUT Education and Learning Trust patient when asking questions. Wait “The new member mentoring program (ELT) indicated to the thirty-plus for an answer; reflection happens in takes place over the course of a year, participants that it’s harder for adults to silence. and participants have no obligation have to unlearn something so that they beyond that. Ideally, though, if the can learn something new. • Extending. It’s helpful to summarize mentoring process goes well, the Citing information from Hal and acknowledge ideas, feelings, and collegial relationship between mentor Porter’s Mentoring New Teachers, Luna decisions before ending meetings. and mentee will exist far beyond the explained, “New information that has Invite the mentee to think through initial year.” little relationship to an individual’s various ways to apply his or her Gutowski was pleased with the experience or behavior does not have ideas. workshop: “It touched on how to make to be filtered through very much before our mentoring experiences rewarding being added to that person’s repertoire.” Participants discussed ways to establish and long lasting for both mentor and However, adults have a harder time trust and mutual respect, to demon- mentee.” integrating new information into a task strate sharing and that’s already familiar. caring, and to show a What does this mean for the willingness to listen and volunteer mentors in the FA mentoring learn as a mentor and program? Luna asserts that patience and mentee move through creativity are key. She also emphasizes several stages of their

active listening skills, referring to the relationship. “A good Peterman Kevin photo by acronym SPACE from Costa and mentor,” noted Ellen Kallick’s Reflective Practice to Improve Schuler Mauk, “can Schools: help new members not only learn the ropes at • Silence. This refers to the unexpect- an institution of this edly difficult task of simply listening size but also learn to to the mentee. negotiate personalities Facilitator Barbara Luna speaks with associate dean of academic as well.” affairs Sandra Sprows (Ammerman), as Nancy Penncavage, Liz Foley, Kevin McCoy, and Chris McDougal listen. FASCC • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 13 • • • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 14 celebrate the holidays and honor this year’s retirees Holiday Party November 30 at 7 p.m. Villa Lombardi’s 877 Main Street, Holbrook Reservation Form RSVP by Wednesday, November 14 ____ # of tickets at $37.50 per person (limit of 2) $______# of additional guest tickets at $75 per person $______TOTAL $______

Make checks payable to Faculty Association and return to Southampton Building 224J Suffolk Community College 533 College Road Selden, NY 11784 Attendee Names ______ FA  Guild

______ FA  Guild ______ FA  Guild FASCC • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 15 • Faculty Association Suffolk Community College Southampton Building 224J 533 College Road Selden, New York 11784-2899 631-451-4151 photo by Victoria Sinacori Victoria photo by

Representatives from the Suffolk County AHRC pose with Elizabeth Chu (Math) and Susan Orlando (Nursing) during the FA sponsored October 3 plant sale on the Ammerman campus. The plant sale at Ammerman this year raised $668 for the AHRC.

• • The WORD FASCC September 2012 • page 16