VOTE ● Union- wide election Meet the candidates. Get larıon ready to vote. CNEWSPAPER OF THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF CONGRESS / CITY UNIVERSITY OF APRIL 2021 PAGES 13–16 Erik McGregor CHANCELLOR BACKS DOWN AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL CUNY Central violated our contract when it suddenly delayed equity raises for assistants to HEO and lecturers. Thanks to organizing, the union forced the administration to reverse course. Read about the PSC’s success and the ongoing fight for raises. PAGE 3

GRIEVANCE POLITICS CAMPUS BENEFIT Fighting for Budget struggle Rudy Crew Paid family our raises in Albany steps down leave FAQs The union makes its case With Governor Andrew For months, Medgar Evers The union is happy to to a CUNY hearing officer Cuomo in a tight spot, College community mem- announce a new benefit for that the university violated unions and progressive leg- bers have called for the CUNY faculty and staff: paid the contract when it unilat- islators have an opportunity controversial president family leave. Members have erally delayed our 2% con- to pass a fair budget with to resign. He finally did some questions, and we have tractual raises. PAGE 2 new taxes on the rich. PAGE 4 in February. PAGE 5 some answers. PAGES 7, 12

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS ● AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS ● NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION ● NYC CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL ● NYS AFL-CIO ● NEW YORK STATE UNITED TEACHERS 2 NEWS Clarion | April 2021 Fighting for members’ 2% raise By ARI PAUL ‘Chancellor’s actions are illegal’ The fight to have PSC members paid what they are owed continues. Brad Lander Last November, Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez ruined the holi- days for CUNY faculty and staff when he told the union that the uni- PSC: Lander versity would ignore its contractual obligation to implement a 2% raise for comptroller for everyone in the bargaining unit. The union vowed to fight. By ARI PAUL On February 19, the union made its case against CUNY before a He’s against austerity and he’s in fa- university hearing officer regard- vor of the PSC-backed New Deal for ing its mass grievance concerning CUNY legislation. He’s Brad Lander, the raise. Renée Lasher, the PSC’s and the PSC has endorsed him for director of contract administra- city comptroller. tion, did not mince words when A City Council mem- she said in her statement before ber who has been a vocal part of its the hearing officer that the chan- progressive caucus, Lander is the cellor had failed in his most basic best candidate for the position of duty of adhering to the union and the city’s top fiduciary officer. PSC the university’s collective bargain- President Barbara Bowen said, he ing agreement. “will simultaneously safeguard the city’s fiscal health and fight for NOT SUGGESTIONS an economic recovery that repudi- “Once these terms are bargained ates austerity,” because he “under- and signed, they are not a sugges- Erik McGregor stands that an economic crisis that tion, they are not optional, they are Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez has decided, wrongfully, that implementing contractual raises is optional. has been devastating to the city’s not subject to the whims and vaga- working class, its poor and its com- ries of the parties, they are legally dents, and meet other institutional Center for Public Policy, an anti- the CUNY hearing officer, Eric Carr, munities of color cannot be solved binding obligations,” Lasher said. needs created by the pandemic.” union think tank, complained that to rule in favor of the union. without visionary investment.” “This isn’t news, not to anyone here, She continued, “More recently, on the state’s pay freezes weren’t ex- Bowen said that the fight for “Investments in CUNY provided a and not to the chancellor. The chan- December 27, a second much larger treme enough, suggesting that the the raise is also an ongoing fight platform for young people, especially cellor understands his obligation to aid package was passed, allo- legislature freeze all state in Albany, where she has been those from immigrant and low-in- pay what the contract says is going cating an additional $118.4 mil- No excuse and local government work- speaking to state lawmakers about come backgrounds, from across this to be paid, but his actions reveal his lion earmarked for student aid for this er pay. using new federal monies to fund city to thrive in generations past,” disdain for his legal obligation, the to CUNY colleges, and an addi- delay The United University contractual raises. said Lander in a statement. “The contract and his employees. The tional $336.7 million to CUNY Professions (UUP), which “Now that there is more than $12 cuts and tuition hikes of recent years chancellor made the assessment colleges for institutional needs. represents SUNY faculty and staff, billion coming into the state from fall hardest on those students who that he wouldn’t be held accountable This means that CUNY will have a has joined the PSC in calling on the the federal government, it is an ab- can least afford it, denying them the in any way that mattered to him, so total of $455 million for institutional New York State Legislature to adopt solute priority that we restore these chance to succeed. As comptroller, he chose to disregard his obligations needs, but again, CUNY’s plans for new tax revenue bills to fund ser- wages,” Bowen said. “This fight is I will be a strong partner to faculty to his employees.” these funds are hidden.” vices and address budget shortfalls. not just about a grievance – it’s a and students in advocacy to fully And, Lasher said, is that the ad- “Last year, UUP filed class action budget fight.” fund CUNY as the essential institu- ministration’s justification for de- OTHER UNIONS FIGHTING grievances covering the delayed tion it is to secure an equitable recov- laying the contractual raise was The PSC isn’t the only union fight- raises as well as delays in imple- BROAD ISSUE ery and shared prosperity.” the fiscal uncertainty caused by ing this battle – last year, several menting increases in minimum Bowen pointed out that the law Among other fiduciary respon- the state’s decision to withhold 20% state unions reported that the state salaries scheduled to take effect in requires the union to go through sibilities, the comptroller oversees of state funding to the university. was delaying negotiated wage in- 2020,” UUP spokesperson Mike Lisi the grievance procedure before fil- the city’s five pension funds, includ- But that excuse doesn’t hold water, creases. The Times-Union in Albany told Clarion. “These include mini- ing a lawsuit. ing the Teachers’ Retirement Sys- she said. reported that workers whose unions mum salaries for adjuncts. UUP It is likely that the grievance will tem of the City of New York. “CUNY had access to over $118 bargain directly with the governor also filed an improper practice eventually be settled in arbitration. million for institutional needs may not see raises implemented charge with the NYS Public Em- For the union, the grievance is not PROGRESSIVE SUPPORT from the CARES Act passed at the until 2023 unless the state receives ployment Relations Board (PERB) just about the chancellor’s violation Lander is backed by a coali- end of March 2020, but didn’t seem more federal aid. on behalf of residents working in of the contract. tion of progressive state and city to feel any urgent need to use it,” The New York Daily News report- facilities associated with SUNY’s “The chancellor’s actions are im- lawmakers, as well as unions and Lasher said. “To date, the status of ed that the Metropolitan Transpor- academic medical centers.” moral, illegal, unethical and unsup- organizations, including the Work- that money is being guarded like a tation Authority was considering CUNY’s lawyers offered little de- portable,” Lasher said. “This kind of ing Families Party, Our Revolution corporate secret. The CARES Act freezing wages until at least 2024, fense of the chancellor’s action in the casual disregard of legal obligation, and the Communications Workers award to CUNY ... was a total of prompting Transport Workers hearing, other than to say that be- dismissal of the less powerful, and of America–District 1. almost $251 million. Roughly $118 Union President John Samuelsen cause the administration has vowed refusal of personal accountabil- The union also endorsed several million was earmarked specifi- to say workers would be so “upset that the raise will be implemented ity might be considered normal in candidates in cally for aid to students; the bal- by the rescinded raises that they’d eventually with backpay, there was Washington, DC, and on Wall Street, February: Christopher Marte, Erik ance could be used more broadly to likely begin to disrupt mass transit no need to apply interest as well. PSC but I never would have expected it to Bottcher, Keith Powers, Julie Menin, support employees as well as stu- service on their own.” The Empire President Barbara Bowen called on be taken up by CUNY.” Maria Ordoñez, , Tiffany Cabán, Jaslin Kaur, Adrienne E. Adams, Felicia Singh, Sandy Nurse, Alexa Avilés, , Marjorie Clarion APRIL 2021 Velázquez, Juan Ardila, Lincoln Res- Newspaper of the Professional Staff Congress/City University of New York. Vol. 50, No. 2. PSC/CUNY is affiliated with the American Association of University Professors, National Education Association, the American Federation tler, Michael Hollingsworth, Brandon of Teachers (Local 2334), AFL-CIO, the New York City Central Labor Council and New York State United Teachers. Published by PSC/CUNY, 61 Broadway, 15th floor, New York, NY 10006. Telephone: (212) 354-1252. Website: West and Josue Pierre. www.psc-CUNY.org. Email: [email protected]. All opinions expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the PSC. The union will conduct a vigor- PSC OFFICERS: Barbara Bowen, President; Andrea Vásquez, First Vice President; Nivedita Majumdar, Secretary; Sharon Persinger, Treasurer; Michael Fabricant, Steve London, George Emilio Sanchez, Luke Elliott-Negri, Alia Tyner-Mullings, University-Wide Officers; Penny Lewis, Vice President Senior Colleges; James Davis, Michael Batson, David Hatchett, Senior College Officers; Lorraine Cohen, Vice President Community Colleges; ous get-out-the-vote effort for these Michael Spear, Sharon Utakis, Howard Meltzer, Community College Officers; Iris DeLutro, Vice President Cross Campus Units; Janet Winter, Jacqueline Elliott, Myrlene Dieudonne, Cross Campus Officers; Joan and other candidates, including Ju- Greenbaum, Steve Leberstein, Retiree Officers; Rosa Squillacote, Vice President Part-Time Personnel; Susan DiRaimo, Lynne Turner, Blanca Vázquez, Part-Time Officers; Peter I. Hoberman, Vice President Emeritus, maane Williams for public advocate Cross Campus Units. STAFF: Dean Hubbard, Executive Director; Naomi Zauderer, Associate Executive Director; Faye H. Alladin, Director, Financial Services; Renée Lasher, Director, Contract Administration; Deirdre Brill, Director, Organizing; (Clarion reported on this endorse- Francis Clark, Director, Communications; Bettina Damiani, Director, Policy and Research; Denyse Procope-Gregoire, Coordinator, Membership Records; Peter Zwiebach, Director, Legal Affairs. ment in February). The Democratic Editor: Ari Paul / Associate Editor: Shomial Ahmad / Designer: Margarita Aguilar / Copy Editors: Teri Duerr, Matt Schlecht primary will be held June 22. © 2021 Professional Staff Congress/CUNY Clarion | April 2021 NEWS 3 Union defeats admin on pay delay By ARI PAUL There is still a long way to go. The PSC president and the first A blatant contract violation The union continues to fight the vice president added, “It should Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez administration’s unilateral delay not have taken a protest at CUNY messed with the wrong union. dríguez would attack lower-paid am grateful the university backed of the across-the-board contractu- Central on Presidents’ Day, email As the PSC continued its fight employees and withhold raises off their attempt to delay even al raises, and the union is organiz- messages from nearly 1,000 mem- to force CUNY to pay the delayed explicitly bargained to address in- the smallest of increases for our ing in Albany against more bers, petitions from two across-the-board 2% increases equities of race and gender. And we lowest paid HEOs. They deserve cuts. The union continues to ‘We different campuses, a letter (see story page 2), it learned on the came together from every part of more. I am appalled that CUNY fight…raises, and the union fought to the chancellor signed by evening before contractual equity the union because we were stunned can simply ignore this and other is organizing in Albany not the city’s major labor lead- increases were due that the Chan- that management thought it could contract agreements. We fought only to stop further cuts, back and ers, intervention by elected cellor had also decided to delay shred our contract with impunity too hard for these gains. Living but to increase funding for we won.’ officials, and a plan to dem- those raises, despite having prom- – and without even bothering to no- in New York City is still not cheap CUNY as a step towards onstrate on the chancellor’s ised as recently as December to pay tify the affected workers! We fought and there have been a number achieving the New Deal for CUNY doorstep just to get CUNY to adhere them on time. PSC had negotiated back and we won.” of HEOs concerned that utility (see story page 4). The union lead- to the contract and pay the equity the equity raises for assistants to bills and rent has increased once ership believes that the energy raises. But the restoration of the eq- HEO effective February 1 and lec- WE DESERVE MORE they began using their homes as from this victory will inspire the uity raises was more than a defen- turers (including those in CLIP Cindy Bink, the PSC chapter full-time offices. Give us what we membership onward in these other sive victory: it was proof that we are and CUNY Start) effective April 1. chair for HEOs, told Clarion, “I deserve.” campaigns. prepared to fight until we win.” People in those classifications had been some of the lowest paid full- time workers in the bargaining unit. The news was met with outrage, by the union, which had fought hard for the equity raises in the last round of contract negotiations. “CUNY’s decision to withhold the raises is a betrayal of the 1,295 assistants to HEO, the 1,262 lectur- ers, and every member of the PSC. It is also a blatant breach of our con- tract,” PSC President Barbara Bow- en and First Vice President Andrea Vásquez said in a statement. IMMEDIATE ACTION The union took immediate action. More than 100 PSC members rallied outside of CUNY’s Midtown Manhat- tan office on February 15, demand- ing that the university pay workers their contractually due raises. Mem- bers also flooded the chancellor’s email inbox with demands to rein- state the pay raise. They also began planning a major escalation action for February 27 – a demonstration outside the chancellor’s house in Erik McGregor Westchester County. Members protested outside of CUNY’s main administration building in Midtown . The intensifying union militancy forced the chancellor to back down from his indefensible position of de- ing to be as successful as it was,” nying the contractual raises. PSC adding, “I would definitely recom- was backed by numerous support- mend that other campuses adopt ers. NYC labor leaders from every Virtual picket line at LGCC similar methods.” sector recognized the importance of Sigmund Shen, an associate the issue for all workers and signed By ARI PAUL professor of English and a former a letter to the chancellor demanding chapter chair at LaGuardia, wrote that the raises be reinstated. And the How can faculty and staff organize a particularly heartfelt letter to the Chief-Leader, a weekly civil service to stop class cuts and class size administration in his “reply all” newspaper, said that wage deferrals increases during COVID-19, when message on the virtual picket. at the city level have only occurred in-person pickets are more diffi- after both unions and the adminis- cult to pull off? The PSC chapter ACT NOW tration engaged in good-faith bar- at LaGuardia Community College “Pandemic layoffs are business as gaining. The paper said that if the (LGCC) figured out a way. usual,” Shen said. “But this is not chancellor maintained his unilateral In the first week of March, the business as usual. If nothing else, action, then “[he would be] risking a chapter pulled together a virtual extraordinary times call for rational job action, one that should be backed picket to protest the prospect of class behavior. If we’re not willing to act by the entire city labor movement.” cancellations. Here’s how it worked: to protect jobs today, then when? Lara Beaty, the PSC chapter chair When there’s 600,000 dead? When AGREEMENT (on sabbatical) at LGCC, sent an ini- the next pandemic hits? When In the days before the planned tial message to the college president Ellen Moynihan one employer who loses someone protest at the chancellor’s home, and provost, decrying the cuts, and Lara Beaty, PSC chapter chair at LaGuardia Community College. personal to them, or has someone the administration rushed to come copying chapter members on the personal to them lose their health to an agreement with the union, fi- email. Then members hit “reply all” “We’re working on gathering the And while our administration didn’t insurance, decides that’s when it’s nally buckling to the PSC demand with their own personal, often fiery information, but it looks like class give a cutoff for Bursar’s holds, the time to ‘have a change of heart’? to abide by the contract in the late pleas against class cancellations. loss and health insurance loss to ad- provost did report that they used This is not ‘The Hunger Games.’ hours of February 26. juncts will be minimal,” said Laura $750,000 for tuition debt relief to help This is a community. It is so because Bowen and Vásquez said in a mes- BIG TURNOUT Tanenbaum, who also serves as the students enroll.” we make it so through our choices.” sage to members: “This is a victory As of this writing, nearly 200 chapter’s interim chair. “We also Nathan Schrader, who leads Schrader added, “I hope that our for all of us. Hundreds of members faculty members at the school have won a reduction of the minimum to the LaGuardia PSC chapter’s ad message has been heard and that fought back fast and hard because taken part in the protest. And the run a class from 15 to 12, probably hoc committee on adjuncts, said, the college president will do the we were offended that Matos Ro- results have been positive. the biggest factor in saving classes. “We really didn’t know it was go- right thing.” 4 NEWS Clarion | April 2021

committed to a transformation in CUNY funding. The caucus meets on a biweekly basis to discuss how to move the New Deal for CUNY Organizing for a fair budget and the “tax the rich” bills forward. In recent weeks, the caucus has met By ARI PAUL with dozens of state lawmakers Alliance to fund public institutions from New York’s five boroughs , as As this newspaper went to press, the well as legislators from Westches- New York State Legislature and Gov- ter County and Long Island, where ernor Andrew Cuomo – who is fac- many CUNY students, faculty and ing impeachment, an investigation staff live. by the state attorney general and a “We want the regionality of our chorus of high-level elected officials issues to be clear to the leadership from Albany to New York City to and everyone who is paying atten- Washington calling for his resigna- tion,” said Elliott-Negri. tion – continued state budget negotia- tions set to conclude by April 1. CITY LEVEL The legislature’s proposals offer At the same time, the union is some good news for CUNY, counter- pushing the city, which is responsi- ing the governor’s original proposal ble for funding CUNY’s community to cut funds for public higher educa- colleges. PSC President Barbara tion. The proposals by the New York Bowen recently testified at a New State Senate and Assembly repre- York City Council hearing, calling sent a starting-point in negotiations for increased city funding: $77 mil- with the governor over the final bud- lion to make up for budget cuts over get. PSC leaders have been in conver- two years, $24 million to offset tuition sation with legislators at every stage loss as a result of low enrollment dur- of developing the bills, urging the ing the pandemic and $20 million to legislature to make historic invest- fund the first year of the New Deal for ments in CUNY this year. Both Sen- CUNY at community colleges. ate and Assembly bills take major Dave Sanders “The PSC calls for a funda- steps toward protecting PSC mem- The Invest in Our New York coalition is pushing for more taxes on the wealthy. mentally different approach than bers and making new investments: the approach you heard from the they reject the governor’s proposed bills were welcome, but to remem- anywhere near the full extent of ensuring that all New Yorkers have CUNY administration: we call on cuts, provide funding to cover the ber that “now is not the time for common-sense, progressive reve- a safe and affordable home; prevent- you to join us in advocating for a temporary decline in community half-measures.” Bailin continued, nue within reach, and therefore do ing unnecessary overdose deaths; major increase in CUNY funding,” college enrollment, add funding for “These budgets will help remedy not go far enough in building a New providing safety net equity for ex- Bowen said. “This is the moment opportunity programs and provide the challenges our state has faced York that stands for all. Without the cluded workers and so much more.” not just to protect CUNY from bud- funding to close the “TAP gap,” due to COVID-19, but they lack ad- necessary revenue, the legislature Part of the PSC’s organizing get cuts, but to think strategically which the union describes as “the equate annual, sustainable revenue has stopped far short of preventing around the budget revenue bills about the future of the city and growing difference between [Tu- for vital services and public goods. our public schools from reaching a has been the creation of the CUNY invest. The future of CUNY is the ition Assistance Program] funding Both one-house budgets fail to claim fiscal cliff when federal aid runs out; Caucus, a coalition of legislators future of New York.” for students and actual tuition costs.” Both bills also reject the governor’s plan to withhold 5% of state funding CARES Act money distribution by campus from CUNY next year, and call for an end to the “freeze” on raises for state Institution Name Total Minimum 18004(a) Strengthening Strengthening Developing Promoting Sum government workers. Both bills also Allocation Allocation (3)Money Asian American Predominantly Hispanic- Postbaccalaureate include proposals to increase state (50% for Min and Native Black serving Opportunities revenue by ending tax breaks for Students) $500k American Pacific Institutions Institutions for Hispanic the rich. Allocation Islander-Serving (PBI) (DHSI) Americans Institutions (PPOHA) NEED ANSWERS (AANAPISI) But questions remain. Will the fi- Bernard M. Baruch College $16,563,226 $8,281,613 $66,387 $66,387 nal agreement go further to include Borough of Manhattan Community College $26,420,828 $13,210,414 $105,008 $1,613,111 $1,718,119 the new revenue streams New York needs for a lasting recovery? Will Bronx Community College $9,658,626 $4,829,313 $589,436 $589,436 legislators seize the opportunity to Brooklyn College $17,627,330 $8,813,665 $70,398 $70,398 pass the PSC-backed New Deal for CUNY legislation as a signature City College $15,399,906 $7,699,953 $61,517 $954,041 $152,249 $1,167,807 achievement (see pages 8–9)? The College of $12,595,956 $6,297,978 $50,351 $781,877 $125,036 $957,264 PSC is a major part of a revenue coalition that is pushing the legis- Graduate School and University Center $776,134 $388,067 $3,331 $81,496 $58,456 $11,084 $154,367 lature to pass six new tax bills to Hostos Community College $7,267,430 $3,633,715 $440,788 $440,788 claim a fair share of the enormous wealth generated in New York State. Hunter College $19,006,958 $9,503,479 $76,300 $1,194,146 $193,386 $1,463,832 “There’s a large consensus on John Jay College of Criminal Justice $15,320,009 $7,660,005 $61,038 $941,885 $149,091 $1,152,014 taxation: the question is how much and which forms of taxation, and not Kingsborough Community College $10,156,521 $5,078,261 $ whether to do it,” PSC Legislative LaGuardia Community College $12,917,232 $6,458,616 $51,726 $805,857 $857,583 Representative Luke Elliott-Negri Lehman College $13,293,096 $6,646,548 $820,272 $130,351 $950,623 said of the state lawmakers he and other PSC activists have spoken to. Medgar Evers College $7,109,437 $3,554,719 $456,272 $456,272 “There seems to be less resistance New York City College of Technology $16,209,328 $8,104,664 $64,586 $996,886 $1,061,472 around a personal income tax,” he said, adding, “The debate is about College $16,736,798 $8,368,399 $67,136 $1,049,222 $169,533 $1,285,891 what income level to start with.” Queensborough Community College $11,321,080 $5,660,540 $45,312 $705,281 $750,593 The governor has been cool to new taxes on the rich but growing calls School of Law $141,995 $70,998 $358,005 $ from state and federal legislators – York College $7,205,414 $3,602,707 $28,791 $474,997 $446,744 $71,354 $1,021,886 including New York’s U.S. senators – for him to resign have left him in a Stella and Charles Guttman Community College $1,228,352 $614,176 $74,820 $74,820 weakened bargaining position. Total $236,955,656 $118,477,830 $358,005 $751,881 $1,012,765 $11,472,822 $1,002,084 $14,239,552 Rebecca Bailin, campaign man- ager for Invest in Our New York, The chart above shows how the federal CARES Act money and other grants are spends it. The stimulus bill passed in December allocates another $455 million a coalition pushing for increasing spent at CUNY, broken down by campus. PSC activists should take a good look at to CUNY colleges, and the American Rescue Plan Act signed in March allocates taxes on the rich, said the one-house how much their campus was allocated and keep track of how the administration additional funds. Not all funds have been received yet. Clarion | April 2021 NEWS 5 Crew resigns from Medgar Evers By ARI PAUL tion and that Crew’s skillset as a K-12 administrator didn’t effectively Rudy Crew, who has been dodging A controversial president moves on translate to the CUNY setting. calls from the campus community David Orenstein, a professor of to resign for nearly a year, stepped anthropology, said that while he un- down as president of Medgar Evers derstood that faculty had concerns College (MEC) on February 28. about Crew’s leadership, the former It has been a wild ride to say the president had responded to a vari- least. Last April, Crew indicated that ety of anti-Semitic attacks against he would soon leave the college for Orenstein, including the vandaliza- a superintendent position in Geor- tion of his car in the college parking gia’s DeKalb County School District lot. “Crew was kind, courteous and for which he was a final candidate, deeply supportive of me during this but his candidacy was ultimately difficult time,” Orenstein said, add- rejected by the school board. At the ing, “for this, he gained my support.” end of May 2020, CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez announced SPLIT FACULTY that Crew, who has served as MEC But Blair said that Crew’s leader- president since 2013, would be retir- ship had split the faculty and staff ing at the end of the 2021 Spring se- into two “tribes,” one that was criti- mester. But some in the community cal of his leadership and one loyal to wanted Crew gone immediately. the administration. She hoped that his resignation would bring a new BAD SITUATION day to the campus. Myrlie Evers-Williams, the widow “We’ve witnessed this tribalism of the slain civil rights leader for at Medgar Evers College,” she said. whom the college is named, report- “Tribalism has no place in an aca- edly blasted Crew’s record after his demic institution. We need a presi- failed bid for the DeKalb County post Dave Sanders dent who is a visionary and who this past summer, saying in a letter Former student Sakia Fletcher is one of many in the MEC community who believed they were retaliated against for speaking out. will work with faculty and staff to to the CUNY Board of Trustees that establish a collegial and support- his leadership is “exacerbating a de- have also struggled since the start and Council Member Cumbo on the as an education reformer, even if it ive academic environment for fac- teriorating situation in an institution of the pandemic. “Students and fac- grounds that her First and Fourth means protecting corrupt but loyal ulty, staff and students. We need that carries our family name.” ulty were lacking in everything: Amendment rights were violated. administrators or firing those who leadership who understands and Owen Brown, a professor of social supplies, internet access, laptops…. expose misconduct.” implements the mission and objec- and behavioral sciences at MEC, was Students weren’t being given the LONG HISTORY Crew has not been without his tives of social justice for which the quoted in the New York Daily News equipment that they need to effec- Crew was not an unknown enti- supporters, though. Chancellor college is built on, and for which last summer saying that as Crew tively participate [in online school].” ty when he arrived at MEC. He had Matos Rodríguez hailed Crew’s the community needs. We will spent time seeking the DeKalb posi- she said. served as the city’s schools chan- leadership last year, and in a piece work extremely hard to reverse tion, he “left the college adrift as our In addition, at the time the PSC cellor under then-Mayor Rudy Gi- published in Kings County Politics the damage that has been done and faculty worked valiantly to provide protested the layoffs of more than uliani, before going on to serve in this past summer, several faculty rebuild a stronger and more robust online distance learning.” Crew’s 1,000 adjuncts, Medgar Evers Col- a similar position in Miami-Dade members and administrators (in- Medgar Evers College, a historic time at MEC has been marred by lege, along with Bronx Community County Florida public schools and cluding Clinton Crawford, the PSC Black institution.” “declining enrollment, retention College, was responsible for the later as the chief education officer chapter chair at Medgar Evers Col- For his part, Crew said in his res- and graduation rates,” added largest number of three- in . He attracted controver- lege) praised the outgoing presi- ignation letter that he is “immensely Brown, who called for Crew’s Some are year appointment deni- sy in each of these roles. The Mi- dent, saying, “We have implicit gratified by the growing array of resignation at the time. als for incumbent adjunct ami New Times – in a wide-ranging confidence in the unrivaled leader- programmatic innovations initiated “Crew entrenched an happy to instructors. PSC activists investigation involving interviews, ship and unwavering commitment in our school of education, business, administrative leadership see him go. delivered a petition to the formal complaints and legal docu- of President Crew.” Some faculty liberal arts and science, health and group which exploited ethnic MEC campus administra- ments – characterized him as “a believe the problems at MEC are not technology,” and that there were “a and other divisions among faculty tion to demand that it reappoint all poor chief executive who will do al- Crew’s fault and that he inherited good many more achievements and and staff to advance individual 66 teaching adjuncts eligible for most anything to enhance his image an underfunded and flawed institu- milestones along the way.” agendas and parochial interests,” new or renewed three-year appoint- said Terrence Blackman, an asso- ments and “reduce the maximum ciate professor of mathematics at class size to the Spring 2020 level of MEC, upon hearing news of Crew’s 28 students. Vaxxing at CUNY campuses resignation. “The resulting patron- Blair, Blackman and Barker were age, nepotism and cronyism has among the MEC faculty and staff, stunted the growth of the college,” joined by other community mem- he said, adding that “our academic bers, who had called on Crew to and social justice imperatives were resign rather than serve out the stifled or dismissed in favor of remainder of the academic year. the unfocused and unsustainable In addition to bad leadership, they whims of favored insiders.” said, Crew oversaw an environment Blackman welcomed Crew’s res- of bullying and intimidation against ignation, saying, “This is a much colleagues and students. needed first step along the path to Consider the case of Sakia rebuilding the college around its Fletcher, who as a student in the historic mission.” Spring of 2019, attended a Com- Other faculty and staff have gone munity Board 9 hearing at Medgar on the record to say that Crew’s Evers College to verbally express presidency has led to a downturn her displeasure with a local devel- in educational quality at the school. opment project supported by the “We’ve lost 25 percent of core fac- local City Council Member Laurie ulty,” said Kathleen Barker, a pro- Cumbo. The next day, Fletcher fessor of psychology and the chair says, MEC gave her an emergency of the MEC Faculty Senate, refer- suspension effective immediately, ring to the faculty situation under which barred her from communi- Crew’s tenure. “This is a huge hit.” cating with teachers and from en- According to Zulema Blair, the tering the college. Fletcher, who chair of the college’s public admin- graduated from MEC last year, is Governor’s Office istration department, MEC students currently suing both the college York College, above, is one of the main COVID-19 vaccination sites in the city. Medgar Evers College is another one. 6 NEWS Clarion | April 2021 CUNY selling off its posh homes

By MAURIZIO GUERRERO comprising 29 million square feet, Houses for presidents raise cash in a crunch across all five boroughs. As part of a strategy to generate CUNY’s academic and admin- revenue under severe budget short- istrative offices comprise 30% of falls triggered by the pandemic, the university’s square footage, CUNY has decided to sell residences followed by instructional (28%) usually provided to serving college and support services (18%). The presidents at Medgar Evers College residential properties, which make and the College of Staten Island up a relatively negligible part of (CSI). According to management’s CUNY’s real estate assets, are in- plan, CUNY also intends to eventu- cluded in the unassigned and non- ally sell its remaining presidential institutional agencies’ assets or houses at Baruch College, Lehman “other” category, which makes up College, Queens College and Brook- 8% of CUNY’s square footage. lyn College. “For us to be able to really move AGED HOMES into what we’ve got to do – which The average building at CUNY is educate our students – we want is more than 50 years old, most to get out of this business of the are over 30 and some exceed 100. presidential housing,” said Hec- To maintain these assets, CUNY tor Batista, CUNY’s executive vice requested $3.627 billion in its five- chancellor and chief operating year capital plan for the fiscal year officer, during a December 2020 2021-22 through 2025-26 for capital meeting at which the CUNY Con- renewal and minor repair. struction Fund (CUCF) approved In this context, CUNY is looking the dispositions. Batista has also for sources of additional revenue served as CUCF’s acting interim and savings. “To the extent any executive director since December. of these facilities holds untapped potential to generate revenue to DOLLAR BILLS support CUNY’s core mission, the The two properties could raise university would like to determine around $4.4 million. The CSI presi- the opportunities available to it,” So- dential house, located at 35 Beebe brino explained to Clarion. “This is Street in Staten Island, was pur- Dave Sanders consistent with best fiscal practices chased in 1999 for $960,000 and ap- The College of Staten Island president’s home at 35 Beebe Street in Staten Island. across higher education nationally.” praised last fall, according to Batista, To many like Stavisky, the dis- at $1.3 million. The Medgar Evers Savings Bank Tower that it is now mercial real estate market websites. Last year, the Board of Trustees possession of buildings is prefer- College residence, an apartment in bringing to market. Overall, CUNY is reviewing its Committee on Facilities Planning able to other options for offsetting the iconic Williamsburgh Savings CUNY advocates say the initiative assets to identify potential revenue and Management reportedly ap- budget cuts. “I would rather see Bank Tower in Downtown Brook- to sell off the opulent homes, which sources or savings that could sup- proved a $750,000 contract with a property sale,” Stavisky said lyn, was recently appraised at $3.09 are themselves symbols of housing port its core educational mission, Real Estate Solutions Group at the CUCF meeting, “than rais- million. CUNY purchased it for $1.5 the inequalities between upper-man- said Frank Sobrino, a university (RESG) to assess the value of ing tuition on students or firing million in 2010. agement and the rest of CUNY, is a spokesperson. CUNY’s more than 300 buildings, professors.” CUNY’s Board of Trustees unani- welcome one, but PSC activists are mously approved the sales on quick to note that the plan is December 14 of last year. CUNY not a replacement for a real ef- “Probably, there are two has lots fort to increase annual state more [residences] that we would funding for CUNY. be bringing forward in the fu- of real In February, Clarion re- Blatant power grab by CSI prez ture,” Batista said during the estate. ported that housing inse- CUCF meeting. He added that in curity – the inability to pay some cases, the maintenance costs rent or utilities, or the need to move By ARI PAUL of presidential houses are in the frequently – was experienced by 55% Referendum on governance “hundreds of thousands of dollars.” of CUNY students, according to One CUNY campus president is In lieu of a residence, CUNY of- a 2018 survey published in March borrowing a line from King Louis shuts faculty out of all of its major just months after the CSI Faculty fers a housing allowance of $5,000 2019. The survey also found 14% of XIV: L’école, c’est moi – the school, roles in campus leadership,” said Senate voted no confidence in both per month to presidents or deans CUNY students reported having it is me. Jane Marcus-Delgado, the chair of the president and the provost? As of colleges. The chancellor receives experienced homelessness, and 3% William Fritz, the president of the CSI Faculty Senate. “Like many Clarion reported in February, that a monthly housing allowance of self-identified as homeless. the College of Staten Island (CSI), CUNY campuses, CSI has a long-es- vote focused on two main issues: $7,500 on top of his $650,000 annual is proposing a dramatic overhaul tablished tradition of faculty partici- the undermining of faculty gover- pay. Additional compensation for the CLOSE THE DEAL of the governance structure of the pation in all aspects of campus life. nance and the mishandling of the chancellor includes a vehicle, busi- It is not certain when CUNY will school that faculty advocates say Its most important leadership bodies campus budget. ness expenses, memberships in pro- be able to close a deal on any of the would dissolve faculty governance – in terms of representative gover- fessional associations, pension and properties it has decided to sell or and consolidate power under nance and checks and bal- PAYBACK? health insurance. how much cash it will ultimately ob- the president. The proposal, Vote ‘no’ ances – would be eliminated John Verzani, the chair of CSI’s These types of perks are in addition tain. The CSI house (built in 1945) which requires a successful under the president’s plan. College Council (his authority to the annual salaries CUNY approved needs a lot of “mechanical stuff that faculty referendum before on the Gone would be the Faculty would be abolished under the pro- in 2017 for presidents and deans. has to get fixed,” said Batista. going to the CUNY Board of proposal. Senate, the College Council, posal) and a professor of math- The idea to sell its presidential Questioned by New York Sena- Trustees for approval, would the Institutional Planning ematics, certainly believes that the houses dates back to 2001, when tor Toby Ann Stavisky, chair of create the CSI College Senate, which Committee and nearly every major president’s proposal is a response to then-Chancellor Matthew Gold- the Higher Education Committee, would “replace the existing College body chaired by faculty members. the Faculty Senate vote. “The presi- stein reportedly submitted a plan Batista acknowledged that because Council and Faculty Senate,” and Replacing them would be commit- dent did not admit to that, but I don’t to sell eight residences worth of the pandemic, the real estate mar- “be a unicameral body, representing tees headed by the president and see any other reason,” Verzani said. more than $10 million. Some were ket was currently “soft.” the faculty, students, non-teaching administered at his discretion. Many George Sanchez, the PSC chap- eventually sold off. The four-story “We will do our best to make sure instructional staff and administra- faculty, myself included, vehemently ter chair at CSI, agreed. He noted brownstone on the Upper East Side, that we recoup as much of the money tors of the college, presided over by object to the proposal in terms of that the new governance plan, if ap- once intended as the chancellor’s as possible,” said Batista. “If we don’t the president of the college.” both its process and content,” said proved and enacted, would do away residence, brought in $3.4 million get what we believe we should be get- The outrage from faculty leaders Marcus-Delgado. with the faculty governance body in 2009. ting,” he suggested, the sales may be at the college is palpable. “[The pro- Is it just a coincidence that this that recently voted no confidence Yet in 2010, CUNY purchased the postponed. As of March 10, none of posal] dismantles nearly every in- sweeping change consolidating in the president and provost. apartment in the Williamsburgh the properties were listed on com- stitution of shared governance and power under the president comes Continued on page 7 Clarion | April 2021 NEWS 7 New benefit: paid family leave

By CLARION STAFF Under the statute, a “child” means between semesters during which Frequently asked questions a biological, adopted or foster child or the employee remains on payroll After complex negotiations involv- stepchild of the eligible employee or are counted toward the 26 con- ing the PSC, CUNY management, Why is the PFL benefit at ● participate in providing care for an his/her domestic partner; legal ward secutive weeks of employment. New York State, New York City and CUNY starting now? eligible family member with a seri- of the employee; or a child for whom ● Faculty and professional staff two insurance carriers, the union ous health condition that involves the employee stands in loco paren- working fewer than 20 hours per reached an agreement on paid fam- Under the NY State Paid Family inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, tis. A child must either be under the week are eligible after 175 days ily leave (PFL). CUNY faculty and Leave Act, which took effect in 2018, or residential health care facility, or age of 18 or incapable of self-care of employment. A workday in- professional staff – full time and most private-sector employers were continuing treatment or supervi- because of mental or physical dis- cludes any day that the employee part time – will have the right to required to implement PFL immedi- sion by a healthcare provider; ability. “Parent” means a biological, is scheduled to work. take up to 12 weeks every year of ately. Public-sector unionized em- ● attend to family obligations when a foster, or adoptive parent, a parent- paid, job-protected time off to bond ployers like CUNY, however, were spouse, domestic partner, child or in-law, a stepparent, a legal guard- with a new child or care for a family not obligated to offer PFL; they have parent is on active military ser- ian, or other person who stood in loco Are adjunct faculty, adjunct member who is ill. the option to offer PFL, but only if an vice outside the parentis to the employee when the CLTs, non-teaching adjuncts, PFL provides time free from work agreement on terms consistent with or has been notified of an impend- employee was a child. “Grandchild” continuing ed faculty and responsibilities with compensa- the state law is negotiated with the ing call or order of active service means a child of the employee’s child. graduate employees eligible tion at a percentage of normal pay. affected union(s). abroad; “Grandparent” means a parent of the The time may be used to care for a During negotiations for the cur- ● and in a new provision for 2021, employee’s parent. for PFL? spouse who is recovering from sur- rent PSC contract in 2019, the PSC PFL may be used to care for a fam- Yes, provided they meet the mini- gery, to take a parent to a weekly won agreement from CUNY man- ily member who has contracted Who is eligible for PFL? mum requirements for time worked medical treatment, to stay home agement to develop a PFL benefit COVID-19. In some situations, Paid Family Leave is available to above. For the first time, grad em- with a child suffering from serious for both full-timers and part-timers. PFL may also be used to provide both full-time and part-time CUNY ployees and the thousands of part- physical or mental illness, to bond Developing the benefit required care when a dependent child is employees represented by the PSC time employees at CUNY will have with a newborn child, to welcome a adapting PFL for the employment under quarantine or isolation be- who meet specific requirements. access to paid time off for parental foster child and more. structure at CUNY, while staying cause of COVID-19. Citizenship and immigration sta- needs or family care. Full information is available on within the requirements of the tus are not factors in eligibility. The the PSC website and answers to law. Negotiations involved the PSC, Which family members with vast majority of PSC-represented Will I be paid at my full rate some of the most frequently asked CUNY management, the city, the a serious health condition employees have already achieved while on PFL? questions can be found below. state, and two insurance compa- eligibility because of how long they nies. The PSC reached agreement may I care for under PFL? have worked at CUNY. No. Under state law, employees on What is New York State Paid in early March, and CUNY manage- The statute defines family mem- ● Teaching adjuncts and graduate PFL are paid 67% of their average Family Leave (PFL)? ment, the city and the state agreed ber as follows: assistants are eligible once they weekly wage, up to a cap of 67% of to implement the program promptly. ● spouse, have completed 26 weeks of em- the statewide average weekly wage Paid Family Leave, under New ● domestic partner (including same ployment. For teaching adjuncts, (SAWW). The SAWW is calculated York State law, is paid, job-protected What kinds of family care and different gender couples; le- each week worked counts as a week annually by New York State; cur- time off to bond with a new child, are covered under PFL? gal registration not required), for purposes of establishing the 26 rently it is $1,450.17. The maximum care for a family member with a se- ● child/stepchild and anyone for weeks of employment, regardless of weekly benefit for 2021 is 67% of this rious health condition, assist one’s PFL may be used to: whom you have legal custody, how many contact teaching hours amount, or $971.61. family if a member is deployed on ● bond with a new child of any age ● parent/stepparent, the adjunct teaches per week. Because of the cap, faculty and active military service outside the during the first 12 months after ● parent-in-law, ● Faculty and professional staff staff who earn $75,408.84 a year or United States and – in 2021 – provide the child’s birth or the child’s ● grandparent, working 20 hours or more per more will be paid $971.61 per week care for family members who have placement for adoption or foster ● grandchild, week are eligible after 26 consecu- while on PFL. Consistent with state contracted COVID-19. care with the employee; Siblings are not covered. tive weeks of employment. Breaks Continued on page 12

fessional survival, who is going to Committee reports on research and Retaliation against faculty? publicly denounce this ill-conceived technology submitted over the last initiative on a website or in a public two years.” forum? And the intrepid souls who Deborah DeSimone, secretary of Continued from page 6 do speak out at the town hall will be the Faculty Senate, said of the no con- “This is a direct response to the given two minutes to speak.” fidence vote last December, “There vote of no confidence. No one can Sanchez urged a ‘no’ vote, saying, were ample opportunities for debate” question this,” he said. “President ‘It is paramount for all eligible voters and “this vote truly represents the Fritz was given a strong vote of at CSI to reject outright this assault concerns of the faculty at large.” no confidence at the Faculty Sen- on our governance plan by a presi- ate of the college on December 17, dent who was soundly given a vote BASELESS 2020. That vote was given over of no confidence only three months Verzani said of the president’s two months of open, transparent ago. We need to do this to save our proposal, “It seems punitive in na- discussions within every depart- governance, but equally important, ture,” adding that “there’s no rea- ment, and with staff, prior to the we need to do this to prevent this son the college can’t affect changes vote in December.” from happening at any other CUNY through a traditional process” and Verzani, among the other faculty campus. If this is allowed to happen that “there’s no reason why an up- leaders on campus, urged faculty at CSI, it can happen at any of our set president should dictate terms of to vote “no,” not just because he institutions.” roles on campus, which are designed believes the proposal constitutes a to limit his exposure to faculty.” power grab by the president, but be- LOTS OF ISSUES For Verzani, the proposal is clear- cause voting would begin at the end The Faculty Senate vote of no ly about disempowering the faculty of March. Normally, he said, a ref- confidence in the president cited in the governance process by putting erendum on governance changes of several issues concerning gover- the president at the head of a unicam- this magnitude would happen after nance, including that the President eral governing structure. “This plan months of discussion. “I think this is did not articulate a clear intellec- takes away faculty leadership and re- extremely rushed,” he said. “I think Dave Sanders tual or scholarly vision for CSI and places it with administrative leader- there’s a design in rushing it.” College of Staten Island faculty are outraged by a proposal to overhaul governance. had failed to provide leadership or ship,” Verzani said. “It fails to have consistent instructional polices, a system where faculty have a voice TOO FAST president’s timeline and process for elements are biased and flawed. guidelines or parameters during to affect real change,” adding that “it Marcus-Delgado, a professor the proposed gutting of the college’s Given the precarity of employ- the pandemic; approved and allowed happens to be a poorly worded plan of political science, blasted the shared governance are alarming,” ment, the intimidating hierarchy of online class sizes to increase against and has many fundamental flaws…. speed of the referendum as well she said. “He has called for com- the administration and community the recommendations of the Faculty It’s a demonstration of a failure to and viewed the entire referendum ments on a public website, a town members’ total dependence on the Senate and the faculty in general;” build a consensus around ideas and process as a rigged game. “The CSI hall and a referendum. All of these college for their livelihood and pro- and also “ignored the Faculty Senate assert authority he doesn’t have.” 8 FEATURENEWS ClarionClarion | February | April 2021 A New Deal for CUNY: for free tuition and more investment By CLARION STAFF structure. Inadequate academic staffing can no longer be the norm. In February, the PSC and a coali- Legislation for a better CUNY New York should also call a halt to tion of CUNY advocates and state normalizing unequal conditions and legislators unveiled the New Deal unprofessional compensation for the for CUNY, an ambitious piece of adjunct faculty. legislation that would not only save Because of the strides made in the the university from further state most recent PSC-CUNY contract, budget cuts, but reverse decades of the cost of professionalizing adjunct underfunding (see February issue compensation at CUNY is substan- of Clarion for initial coverage). The tially lower than it would have been goal of the legislation is not merely in years past. An increased invest- to fix CUNY, but to protect the qual- ment of $127 million every year for ity of education. It aims to restore a five years would raise the ratio of tuition-free university and increase full-time faculty to students, staff the number of faculty and staff. classrooms and laboratories, and Supporters can send state law- professionalize adjunct compensa- makers a message urging them tion. The investment would trans- to pass the bill here: tinyurl.com/ form academic staffing at CUNY new-deal-4-CUNY-letter. and create a new model nationwide. The obvious question CUNY ad- Senior college cost over five years: vocates hear in response is: How $453 million will you pay for it? PSC and its allies Community college cost over five have thought long and hard about years: $183.5 million this. Along with pushing for much- Total cost over five years: needed revenue bills in the New $636.5 million York State Legislature, the PSC and the CUNY Rising Alliance have is- METHODOLOGY: Cost of hiring 3,500 sued a thorough concept paper on assistant professors and 1,500 the bill that explains how it works. lecturers, plus fringe benefits, It is reproduced below. minus savings from replacement of adjunct appointment hours by full- 1. Increase the ratio of full-time fac- time faculty appointment hours ulty- to-students ratio and profession- as full-time faculty are hired = alize adjunct compensation. $461.5 million. Cost of increasing No single factor is more impor- Dave Sanders adjunct compensation to equity, on tant to student success and a uni- Students and PSC members marching in Brooklyn in support of the New Deal for CUNY. a prorated basis, with equivalent versity’s academic stature than the full-time faculty title = $175 million, student-to-faculty ratio. As a result A ratio of 65 full-time faculty tenure-track position provides, full- CUNY has filled the massive hole split 70/30 between senior and of decades of inadequate public members to 1,000 FTE students, or time faculty are in a unique position in its core instructional budget by community colleges. funding, the number of full-time approximately 15 students to one to invest in their students. As active replacing thousands of stable full- faculty at CUNY has plummeted full-time professor, would align researchers, professorial faculty time faculty positions with precari- 2. Reset the ratios of mental health by more than 4,000 positions even CUNY with national averages. also have institutional support for ous, short-term adjunct positions. counselors and academic advisors to as enrollment has soared. Full-time CUNY’s current ratio of 35 full-time involving students in scholarly and The university currently employs students, in line with national standards. professors have been replaced by faculty to every 1,000 FTE students scientific research and bringing the more than 12,000 adjunct faculty CUNY students, perhaps more temporary, part-time instructors creates a student-to-faculty ratio of benefit of their own scholarly activi- and only 7,500 full-time faculty. De- than any other college population in and adjuncts. Even tuition increases 1:29. The national average ratio of ties into the classroom. spite the major gains in the current the country, bear stresses that make of more than 50% over the last ten full-time faculty to FTE students, Reaching the target of 65 full- collective bargaining agreement be- it extraordinarily difficult to stay in years at both senior and community according to the federal govern- time faculty to every 1,000 FTE tween CUNY and the PSC, adjunct college, sometimes even to survive. colleges have been insufficient to ment’s National Center for Educa- students at CUNY will require faculty positions are still not paid on More than 60% of CUNY undergrad- offset the loss of public funds. tion Statistics, is 1:14. There are hiring 5,000 new full-time faculty. the basis of equity with comparable uates have family incomes under New York cannot accept a sub- nearly twice as many full-time fac- The New Deal for CUNY mandates full-time positions and often still lack $30,000 a year. Eighty percent are standard ratio of full-time faculty ulty per students nationally at other reaching that number over five the support a professor needs, such people of color. Forty-two percent to students and unprofessional colleges and universities than there years through a mix of assistant as an office, time to conduct research report food insecurity. Many are compensation for adjunct instruc- are at CUNY. professor and lecturer positions. It and professional working conditions. parents, and more than half work tors. They hurt our students and calls for a combination of approach- Students are shortchanged when ad- at least half-time. For thousands they hurt our state. The New Deal HALF THE SUPPORT es for new hires: national searches junct faculty continue to be paid at of CUNY students, every day is a for CUNY mandates public funding That CUNY students, who face far for research faculty; targeted unprofessional rates and cannot de- struggle with poverty, hunger, rac- to lift the ratio of full-time faculty to greater academic and economic searches and recruitment vote full time to their work at CUNY. ism, homelessness, low-wage work undergraduate students and close challenges than the average A plan to of faculty from underrep- Many still have to scramble for other and parenting. For most CUNY stu- the equity gap between full-time college student, have access rebuild resented racial, ethnic and part-time work and run from col- dents, the only available access to and part-time prorated salaries. to only half as much full-time gender groups; conversion lege to college cobbling together an academic support or mental health faculty support as students na- CUNY of existing part-time po- income. Every faculty member who counseling is within the university. BELOW THE NORM tionally speaks volumes about New sitions for current adjuncts into teaches CUNY students should be re- That CUNY students absorb the In 2003, both CUNY and SUNY York’s failure to invest adequately full-time lecturer positions; and cruited, supported and compensated stresses they do and nevertheless maintained overall ratios of 43 full- in their education and their lives. additional laboratory technician as a professional. persist in their college education is a time faculty members to 1,000 full- CUNY’s location in New York City staffing in the physical sciences. testament to their hunger for knowl- time-equivalent (FTE) students in and its powerful educational mis- The legislation provides for a con- STRUCTURAL INEQUALITY edge and commitment to transform- the four-year colleges, a number sion have enabled the university to certed national hiring campaign to The replacement of full-time fac- ing their lives. They know what is at already below national norms for attract exceptionally well-qualified attract full-time faculty from under- ulty with underpaid, contingent stake in earning a college degree. public universities. By 2017, the ra- adjunct faculty who are deeply com- represented groups. It also creates adjuncts is a national problem, and Yet CUNY’s ratio of mental health tio at SUNY had increased slightly, mitted to their students. But access opportunities for long-serving ad- it systematically undermines both counselors to students falls danger- to 47, while at CUNY it dropped to to full-time faculty remains essential juncts to assume full-time faculty the quality of higher education and ously below the national standard, 35. At certain colleges within both for student success. A major study positions at the appropriate faculty labor standards. It is not simply a a standard that assumes students systems, however, the ratio is even by the National Bureau of Economic rank. As CUNY converts from a matter of collective bargaining, with far fewer stresses and much lower. The New Deal for CUNY Research shows that institutional largely part-time faculty to a large- however; it is a structural inequal- more support. The International Ac- brings the ratio up to 65 full-time resources play a far greater role in ly full-time faculty, the adjunct fac- ity built into CUNY’s budget by the creditation of Counseling Services faculty members per 1,000 FTE student success than student prepa- ulty who have developed expertise consistent failure of public funding calls for a ratio of 1:1,000 mental students at both senior and com- ration. Full-time faculty are a critical in working with CUNY students to keep pace with enrollment. New health counselors to students. At munity colleges of CUNY over the resource. With the time and eco- should have the opportunity to be York, long a leader on labor issues, CUNY, the ratio is closer to 1:2,700. next five years. nomic security a full-time tenured or hired in full-time positions. should take the lead in undoing that The New Deal for CUNY would Clarion | April 2021 FEATURENEWS 9 A New Deal for CUNY: for free tuition and more investment make a fundamental investment reach the nationally recommended original great idea of providing free cost. Financial aid counselors at the jor electrical components, burst in students’ success and survival ratio of 1:1,000 mental health college education to all, it is time for colleges could be retrained as aca- pipes, inadequate heating, cool- by lifting the ratio of mental health counselors to students, CUNY New York to define the national high- demic advisors and other support ing and ventilation problems, and counselors to students to 1:1,000 and would need to add 125 mental health er education agenda again. Nothing personnel, further reducing costs. many other hazards. Too often, maintaining at least that level. counseling positions, distributed is more important in taking leader- The legislation would mandate, the physical environment at CU- The New Deal for CUNY also between faculty and professional ship than instituting genuinely free however, that students who meet the NY hinders rather than supports mandates public investment, again staff titles. Assuming a mix of tuition. Reintroducing free income requirements would retain teaching and learning. As they at the federal, state and city level, lecturers and HEO associates, Support in tuition at CUNY would be eligibility for federal Pell grants, en- navigate around makeshift repairs in academic advisors and other plus fringe benefits, the cost of both state especially powerful as a abling them to dedicate those funds in hallways, classrooms, libraries student support personnel. The increasing the ratio of mental public investment in com- to the heavy expenses of textbooks and bathrooms, students have to Center for an Urban Future has health counselors CUNY- houses munities currently under and other supports. struggle to accomplish the ordi- recently recommended academic wide to the nationally approved attack because of rising racism, Senior college cost: $660 million nary activities of learning. All too advisors on a ratio of 1:600 stu- level would be $15 million. Using a anti-Semitism and anti-immigrant Community college cost: $136 million often, especially at the campuses dents. CUNY’s own highly success- median number of 250 new academic bigotry. Free undergraduate tuition Total cost: $796 million with high concentrations of the ful ASAP program attributes much advising positions and other at CUNY would send an unmistak- low-income students, the physical of its success in doubling two-year student support positions, the cost able message to the rest of the coun- Operating Budget Costs of the New environment telegraphs the mes- graduation rates to its interven- CUNY-wide of providing sufficient try that New York believes that “the Deal for CUNY sage that their studies – and their tionist academic advising; ASAP academic advising positions would children of the whole people,” re- Total senior college operating budget lives – do not matter. is staffed with academic advisors be $25 million. These costs were gardless of origin, race or citizenship increase over five years: $1.141 bil- at a ratio of 1:150. Especially for a aggregated and then divided on status, should be educated together lion, approximately $228 million ad- SENDING A MESSAGE student body where many are the a 70/30 split between senior and and with equal resources. What pow- ditional per year in each of five years As a diverse, public university in first in their families to attend community colleges. ers CUNY intellectually, despite its Total community college operating a progressive state and the largest college and many thousands are meager funding, is precisely the mix budget increase over five years: city in the nation, CUNY should send newly arrived immigrants, hands- 3. Make CUNY free: eliminate under- of students, with the subjugated $331.5 million, approximately $66.3 a message about the importance of on academic advising can make graduate tuition and fees for in-state knowledge and intellectual passion million additional per year in each of education, about sustainability in an the difference between graduating undergraduate students and replace they bring to their work. five years urban environment, and about hope. tuition income with public funds. and dropping out. Limited access to Even if the next president of the Total CUNY operating budget increase Education is inherently about the fu- advisors means that students often For more than a century, CUNY United States is elected on a plat- over five years: $1.472.5 billion ture, and CUNY has the opportunity spend precious semesters in cours- led the national conversation about form of free tuition at public col- to contribute to mapping out a sus- es that do not contribute to their ma- the right to a free college education. leges, free tuition is unlikely to be Capital Budget tainable future, both by renewing jors or fail to enroll in the required New York would not be the city and achieved immediately or easily. New Invest in capital renewal plan to the physical plant and by drawing courses they need. For a relatively state it is today had CUNY not pro- York can demonstrate right now address urgent issues of safety, on the expertise of its environmental modest public investment, CUNY vided a way for each new wave of that a new, progressive approach to accessibility, energy, capacity and science faculty. CUNY could provide could provide every student with immigrants to receive a free, rigor- college education is possible. CUNY maintenance of CUNY buildings. leadership on such urgent issues as academic support and ensure that ous college education. Every one of is the right place to do it. The most visible sign of system- how to upgrade buildings to meet students get the maximum benefit CUNY’s Nobel laureates attended atic inadequate funding of CUNY is emerging flood standards, how to from their efforts in college. tuition-free. It is not an overstate- A BIG PLAN the state of its physical plant. Any promote the transition to renew- Senior college cost over five years: ment to say that there would be The New Deal for CUNY man- renewal of CUNY must address the able energy by using the resources $28 million no healthcare industry, no fashion dates that all tuition and fees for degraded and sometimes dangerous of CUNY’s 300 city buildings, how to Community college cost over five industry, no publishing industry, a in-state undergraduate students conditions in its classrooms, librar- create models for a sustainable ur- years: $ 12 million diminished finance industry and a within specified time-frames for ies and laboratories. ban environment. The New Deal for Total cost over five years: $40 million scarcity of public school teachers degree completion be eliminated, While CUNY includes some im- CUNY mandates a five-year capital in New York City if not for CUNY’s and that the revenue to the colleges portant and beautiful new build- plan consistent with the university’s METHODOLOGY: Two different unmatched ability to offer new im- that would otherwise derive from ings, much of the physical plant is capital plan that combines capital re- counseling specialties are urgently migrants, the working class and the tuition and fees be replaced annu- more than 50 years old. Decades of newal and repair with new strategic needed at CUNY: mental health poor a chance to attend college free ally by federal, state and city funds. underinvestment have meant that initiatives, including technology up- counselors and academic advisors. that they received nowhere else. One model for achieving free tu- these buildings have deteriorated grades and sustainability projects. The two are distinct fields, each And it is indisputable that New York ition and fees would be to eliminate and essential repairs have not Senior college capital cost over five with special qualifications. The would not be the gateway for suc- eligibility for TAP for CUNY under- been made. The result is massive years: $3.79 billion International Accreditation of cessive generations of immigrants graduates (annually $332 million) overcrowding on many campuses, Community college capital cost over Counseling Services sets a standard without access to free college. and use the funding formerly pro- leaky roofs, broken plumbing, five years: $1.41 billion for clinical mental health counselors Now, when the national conver- vided through TAP to help to support dangling ceiling tiles, dangerous Total capital budget increase over in colleges of 1:1,000 students. To sation has shifted back to CUNY’s free tuition for all, thus reducing the pavements, failure to replace ma- five years: $5.2 billion Dave Sanders Higher education advocates believe in raising taxes on the wealthy to fund vital services like CUNY. 10 FINANCIAL AUDIT Clarion | April 2021

PROFESSIONAL STAFF CONGRESS/CUNY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT donor restrictions. Membership dues and fees are NOTE 4. AVAILABILITY AND LIQUIDITY AUGUST 31, 2020 AND 2019 accounted for as exchange transactions. The following represents PSC/CUNY’s financial as- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS with SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION sets available within one year of the statements of NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND TAX STATUS Net Assets without Donor Restrictions - Net AUGUST 31, 2020 and 2019 assets that are not subject to donor-imposed re- financial position date for general expenditure at The Professional Staff Congress of the City Universi- strictions and may be expended for any purpose in August 31, 2020 and 2019: CONTENTS ty of New York (PSC/CUNY) was created by a merger performing the primary objectives of PSC/CUNY. 2020 2019 of the Legislative Conference of The City University Independent Auditor’s Report Statements of Cash Flows These net assets may be used at the discretion of of New York and the United Federation of College Financial assets available within one year: Statements of Financial Position Notes to Financial Statements PSC/CUNYs management and the Board of Direc- Teachers. It was created to be the collective bargain- tors. Net assets without donor restrictions totaled Cash & cash equivalents $ 1,237,823 $ 711,649 Statements of Activities Supplemental Information ing representative of the instructional staff of the City $7,807,020 and $6,313,888 for the years ended August Statements of Functional Expenses Schedules of Expenses by Category University of New York (CUNY). The Professional Investments 13,359,478 11,841,343 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Independent Auditor’s Report Staff Congress of the City University of New York Receivables 308,000 832,400 is a Local (Local 2334) of the American Federation Cash and Cash Equivalents - PSC/CUNY consid- Total financial assets 14,905,301 13,385,392 To the Executive Board of Professional Staff Congress of the City University of New York of Teachers (AFT). Through the AFT, PSC/CUNY ers all cash and highly liquid investments, including We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the Professional Staff is affiliated with New York State United Teachers certificates of deposit with initial maturities of three Less investments maturing Congress of the City University of New York (PSC/CUNY), which comprise the (NYSUT) and The American Federation of Labor months or less, to be cash equivalents. greater than one year (793,000) (794,000) statements of financial position as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). Investments - Investments are carried at fair value Financial assets available to statements of activities, functional expenses, and cash flows for the years then The purpose of PSC/CUNY is to advance and se- which generally represents quoted market prices, meet general expenditures cure the professional and economic interest of the or the net asset value of the mutual funds, as of the within one year $ 14,112,301 $ 12,591,392 ended, and the related notes to the financial statements. last business day of the fiscal year as provided by instructional staff of the CUNY and other members As part of PSC/CUNY’s liquidity plan, excess cash the custodian or investment manager. Certificates Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements: Management is of the bargaining units of PSC/CUNY. The objec- is maintained in checking and money market ac- of deposit held for investment that are not debt se- tives of PSC/CUNY are to negotiate and administer counts, and certificates of deposit. responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements collective bargaining agreements; to improve the curities are classified as Investments - other and are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States quality of education, research and scholarship at carried at cost. NOTE 5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS the CUNY; to cooperate with other educational, of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal Property and Equipment - Property and equip- The framework for measuring fair value provides professional, and labor organizations in order to control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements ment are recorded at cost. Major additions are a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to enhance the quality of education in the nation and capitalized while replacements, maintenance and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. to promote the professional and economic interests repairs which do not improve or extend the lives of The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unad- and the welfare of all workers; to serve as the public Auditor’s Responsibility: Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these the respective assets are expensed currently. De- justed quoted prices in active markets for identical representative of the instructional staff of the CUNY financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance preciation is computed over the assets’ estimated assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority and other members of the bargaining units of the useful lives, three to thirty years, by the straight- to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those Professional Staff Congress; and to cooperate with line method. Depreciation expense was $54,513 of the fair value hierarchy are described as follows: standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assur- other CUNY employee and academic organizations and $50,127 for the years ended August 31, 2020 ance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. and student bodies in order to advance the interests and 2019, respectively. Basis of Fair Value Measurement: of the faculty, staff and students of the CUNY and the Level 1 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the community it serves. The benefits members receive Accrued Compensated Balances - Future em- ployee absences that have been earned but not yet unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected are paid for by contributions from the employer, liabilities in active markets that the PSC/CUNY depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of mate- CUNY, which are negotiated during bargaining as taken are accrued within the contract limits. The accrued compensated balances were $589,981 and has the ability to access. rial misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In part of members’ compensation. PSC/CUNY and its affiliated organizations have arranged for various $697,814 for the years ended August 31, 2020 and Level 2 - Inputs to the valuation methodology in- making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant special economic benefits for its members. Supple- 2019, respectively. clude: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities to the PSC/CUNY’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements mental health and welfare benefits are paid from a Membership Dues and Dues Receivable - Member- in active markets; quoted prices for identical or in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, separate trust fund and are not included in these ship dues are recognized as revenue over the mem- similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; in- financial statements. bership period. Dues come from members through puts other than quoted prices that are observable but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the PSC/ for the asset or liability; inputs that are derived PSC/CUNY is exempt from Federal income taxes un- payroll deductions and direct payments. Dues re- CUNY’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also ceivable are recorded as revenues are recognized. principally from or corroborated by observable der Section 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code market data by correlation or other means. If the includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the rea- under a blanket exemption of the AFT. PSC/CUNY has determined that no allowance for sonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as doubtful accounts for receivables is necessary as of asset or liability has a specified (contractual) Accounting principles generally accepted in the August 31, 2020 and 2019. term, the level 2 input must be observable for evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. United States of America require management to substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Deferred Rent - Operating leases are recognized We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate evaluate tax positions taken by PSC/CUNY and Level 3 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are recognize a tax liability if PSC/CUNY has taken an on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. to provide a basis for our audit opinion. Deferred rent has been recorded for the difference unobservable and significant to the fair value uncertain position that, more likely than not, would measurement. Opinion: In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, not be sustained upon examination by the U.S. Fed- between the fixed payment and the rent expense. eral, state, or local taxing authorities. PSC/CUNY Deferred rent was $410,166 and $567,227 for the years The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement in all material respects, the financial position of the Professional Staff Congress ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. level within the fair value hierarchy is based on of the City University of New York as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, and the changes is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax Estimates - The preparation of financial statements the lowest level of any input that is significant to in its net assets and cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with ac- periods in progress. Typically, tax years will re- in conformity with accounting principles generally the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques counting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. main open for three years; however, this may differ accepted in the United States of America requires maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Change in Accounting Principle: As discussed in Note 11 to the financial state- depending upon the circumstances of PSC/CUNY. management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures in The availability of observable market data is moni- ments, PSC/CUNY adopted new accounting guidance, ASU 2014-09 – Revenue NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT the financial statements. Actual results could dif- tored to assess the appropriate classification of from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), ASU 2018-08 - Not-for-Profit Entities ACCOUNTING POLICIES fer from those estimates. financial instruments within the fair value hierar- (Topic 958) Clarifying the Scope and the Accounting Guidance for Contributions Method of Accounting - The accompanying fi- chy. Changes in economic conditions or model-based Received and Contributions Made, and ASU 2017-07 – Compensation – Retirement nancial statements are prepared using the accrual NOTE 3. CONCENTRATION OF CASH valuation techniques may require the transfer of basis of accounting in accordance with accounting PSC/CUNY places its cash and certificates of deposit financial instruments from one fair value level to Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost principles generally accepted in the United States of with financial institutions deemed to be creditwor- another. In such instances, the transfer is reported and Net Periodic Post Retirement Benefit Cost. Our opinion is not modified with America (U.S. GAAP) for non-profit organizations. thy. The balances are insured by the Federal Deposit at the beginning of the reporting period. respect to this matter. Net assets are classified as net assets without donor Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000. Cash For the years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, there restrictions and with donor restrictions. Net assets balances and certificates of deposits may at times were no transfers in or out of levels 1, 2, or 3. Report on Supplemental Information: Our audits were conducted for the pur- are generally reported as net assets without donor exceed the insured deposit limits. As of August 31, pose of forming an opinion on the financial statements as a whole. The supplemen- restrictions unless assets are received from donors 2020, PSC/CUNY’s cash and certificates of deposit The following tables set forth, by level within the fair with explicit stipulations that limit the use of the in excess of FDIC coverage totaled $987,823 and value hierarchy, the major categories of investments tal Schedules of Expenses by Category are presented for purposes of additional measured at fair value at August 31, 2020 and 2019: analysis and are not a required part of the financial statements. Supplemental asset. PSC/CUNY does not have any net assets with $742,000, respectively. information is the responsibility of the PSC/CUNY’s management and was de- STATEMENTS OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES rived from and relates directly to the underlying accounting and other records YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2020 AND 2019 used to prepare the financial statements. The information has been subjected 2020 2019 to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the financial statements and Total Member Services Support Services Total Member Services Support Services certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such infor- Affiliation fees $ 10,122,154 $ 10,122,154 $ - $ 9,934,737 $ 9,934,737 $ - mation directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare Salaries, employee benefits and payroll taxes 5,775,348 2,461,884 3,313,4644 5,450,920 2,270,353 3,18,567 the financial statements or to the financial statements themselves, and other Representational and governance 114,506 114,506 - 146,542 146,542 - additional procedures in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted Public relations 96,697 96,697 - 154,877 154,877 - in the United States of America. In our opinion, the information is fairly stated in Building expenses 1,457,241 621,222 836,019 1,401,783 583,843 817,940 all material respects in relation to the financial statements as a whole. Administrative, office and general 338,820 92,205 246,615 420,801 124,297 296,504 Novak Francella LLC Professional fees 733,350 733,350 - 461,140 461,140 - New York, New York, February 26, 2021 Contract and budget campaigns 317,051 317,051 - 759,168 759,168 - Stipends and reassigned time 458,436 458,436 - 505,851 505,851 - Depreciation expense 54,513 - 54,513 50,127 - 50,127 STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION Membership campaign 11,328 11,328 - 31,707 31,707 - AUGUST 31, 2020 AND 2019 Total expenses $ 19,479,444 $ 15,028,833 $ 4,450,611 $ 19,317,653 $ 14,972,515 $ 4,345,138 2020 2019 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,237,823 $ 711,649 STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Investments – at fair value YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2020 AND 2019 YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2020 AND 2019 Mutual funds 12,367,478 10,849,343 2020 2019 2020 2019 Investments – other Revenue Cash flows from operating activities Certificate of deposit 992,000 992,000 Membership dues $ 16,255,106 $ 15,109,810 Change in net assets $ 1,447,322 402,014 Total investments 13,359,478 11,841,343 Organizing assistance 3,591,029 3,546,488 Adjustments to reconcile change in net assets to net cash provided by operating activities Receivables Investment income, net 742,525 802,753 Depreciation 54,513 50,127 Dues 167,000 125,000 Rental income 283,077 260,616 Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses (455,685) (502,569) Due from related entities 141,000 617,400 Other income 55,029 - Unfunded pention benefit obligation adjustments 45,710 (837,336) Due from other - 90,000 Total receivables 308,000 832,400 Total revenue $20,926,766 19,719,667 other than net periodic pension servicee cost Property and equipment Expenses Decrease (increase) in assets: Equipment 731,585 702,649 Affiliation fees 10,122,154 9,934,737 Dues receivable (42,000) 232,000 Leasehold improvements 658,758 531,860 Salaries, employee benefits, and payroll taxes 5,775,348 5,450,920 Due from related entities 476,4000 (279,400) Furniture and fixtures 342,580 341,405 Representational and governance 114,506 146,542 Due from other 90,000 (90,000) 1,732,923 1,575,914 Public relations 96,697 154,877 Increase (decrease) in liabilities: Less: accumulated depreciation (1,471,411) (1,416,898) Building expenses 1,457,241 1,401,783 Accrued expenses 129,679 (48,424) Net property and equipment 261,512 159,016 Administrative, office and general 338,820 420,801 Accrued compensated absences (107,833) 95,781 Professional fees 733,350 461,140 Due to related entities 9,203 (520,302) Total assets $ 15,166,813 $ 13,544,408 Contract and budget campaigns 317,051 759,168 Deferred revenue 64,119 - Liabilities and Net Assets Stipends and reassigned time 458,436 505,851 Deferred rent (157,061) (128,993) Current liabilities Depreciation expense 54,513 50,127 Unfunded projected pension benefit obligation 191,266 968,420 Accrued expenses $ 403,058 $ 273,379 Membership campaign 11,328 31,707 Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities 1,745,633 (658,682) Accrued compensated balances 589,981 697,814 Total expenses 19,479,444 19,317,653 Cash flows from investing activities Due to related entities 1,629,418 1,620,215 Net increase in net assets before other changes 1,447,322 402,014 Purchase of property and equipment (157,009) (21,322) Deferred revenue 64,119 - Purchase of certificates of deposit (297,000) (298,000) Total current liabilities 2,686,576 2,591,408 Other changes in net assets Liquidation of certificates of deposit 297,000 298,000 Long-term liabilities Unfunded pension benefits obligation adjustments Sale of investments 678,254 23,699 Deferred rent $ 410,166 $ 567,227 other than net periodic pension service cost 45,710 (837,336) Purchase of investments (1,740,704) (1,299,359) Unfunded projected pension benefit obligation 4,263,151 4,071,885 Net increase (decreate) in net assests 1,493,032 (435,322) Net cash used for investing activities (1,219,459) (1,296,982) Total long-term liabilities 4,673,317 4,639,112 Net (decrease) increase in cash 526,174 (1,955,664) Total liabilities 7,359,893 7,230,520 Net assets without donor restrictions Cash and cash equivalents Net assets without donor restrictions 7,806,920 6,313,888 Beginning of year $ 6,313,888 $ 6,749,210 End of year $ 7,806,920 $ 6,313,888 Beginning of year 711,649 2,667,313 Total liabilities and net assests $ 15,166,813 $ 13,544,408 End of year $ 1,237,823 711,649 See accompanying notes to financial statements. See accompanying notes to financial statements. See accompanying notes to financial statements. Clarion | April 2021 FINANCIAL AUDIT 11

Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2020 payments of pension benefits to eligible participants. Tak- for meetings, organizing, legislative representation, and moved to dismiss the claim. In an Opinion postretirement benefit cost be reported in Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 ing into account the expected long-term rate of return on training programs, and arbitration. and Order dated January 3, 2020, the Judge the same classification line as other employ- plan assets, PSC/CUNY formulates the investment portfo- granted the motion to dismiss and issued a ee compensation costs arising from services Mutual funds $ 12,367,478 $ 12,367,478 $ - $ - Dues paid to NYSUT for the years ended August 31, 2020 lio composed of the optimal combination of cash and cash and 2019 were $6,539,652 and $6,463,851, respectively. As judgment dismissing the case on January rendered during the period. PSC/CUNY has Investments $ 12,367,478 $ 12,367,478 $ - $ - equivalents, equities, fixed income and mutual funds. of August 31, 2020 and 2019, PSC/CUNY owed NYSUT 10, 2020. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal adjusted the presentation of the statements at fair value Future Cash Flows $1,057,000 and $1,069,000, respectively, for dues. Dues with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second of activities accordingly. The ASU has been Circuit on February 5, 2020. The appeal was applied retrospectively. PSC/CUNY used Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2019 The projected contribution for next fiscal year is $420,000. paid to AFT for the years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019 were $3,256,126 and $3,147,839, respectively. As of upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals and the amounts disclosed in the Single-Employer Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 The following benefit payments, which reflect expected August 31, 2020 and 2019, PSC/CUNY owed AFT $556,000 case was dismissed on January 11, 2021. Pension Plan footnote disclosures for the prior Mutual funds $ 10,849,343 $ 10,849,343 $ - $ - future service, are expected to be paid as follows: and $542,000, respectively, for dues. comparative periods as a practical expedient NOTE 11. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING for applying the retrospective presentation. Investments 2021 $ 1,014,887 Reimbursements from NYSUT for the years ended Au- PRINCIPLE at fair value $ 10,849,343 $ 10,849,343 $ - $ - 2022 $ 226,371 gust 31, 2020 and 2019 were $3,319,634 and $3,282,090, In March 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-07 - NOTE 12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS PSC/CUNY contributes to the Professional Staff Con- 2023 $ 218,508 respectively. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, NYSUT Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic PSC/CUNY has evaluated subsequent events gress/CUNY Pension Plan (the Plan), a single-employer 2024 $ 330,595 owed PSC/CUNY $116,000 and $521,000, respectively. 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Peri- through February 26, 2021 the date the finan- plan covering professional and management employees 2025 $ 217,572 Reimbursements from AFT for the years ended August odic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretire- cial statements were available to be issued, 31, 2020 and 2019 were $271,395 and $264,398, respectively. who meet age and service requirements. Contributions 2026 - 2030 $ 1,720,407 ment Benefit Cost. The update requires that and they have been evaluated in accordance are actuarially determined. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, AFT owed PSC/CUNY the service cost component of net periodic with relevant accounting standards. $25,000 and $88,000, respectively. NOTE 6. SINGLE-EMPLOYER PENSION PLAN NOTE 7. MULTIEMPLOYER DEFINED BENEFIT PSC/CUNY pays NYSUT a monthly fee for dues process- The Professional Staff Congress of the City University of PENSION PLAN SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ing. Dues processing fees totaled $76,357 and $72,600 for the SCHEDULES OF EXPENSES BY CATEGORY New York Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan paying PSC/CUNY participates in the Office and Professional years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of 2.2% of Final Average Compensation for each year of ser- Employees International Union, Local 153 Pension Fund, August 31, 2020 and 2019, PSC/CUNY owed NYSUT $9,807 YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2020 AND 2019 vice, up to 25 years. Final Average Compensation is the a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan, under the and $6,050 for dues processing, respectively. As of August 2020 2019 average compensation over the last highest 5 consecutive terms of a collective bargaining agreement that covers its 31, 2020, PSC/CUNY owed NYSUT $1,772 for postage. years (or highest 60 months) of service. Plan assets do not union-represented employees who meet age and service Affiliation fees include any securities of the employer or related entities. requirements. The risks of participating in multiemployer PSC/CUNY reimburses the Welfare Fund for shared com- New York State United Teachers $ 6,539,652 $ 6,463,851 No amount of future annual benefits of plan participants is defined benefit pension plans are different from single- puter services. PSC/CUNY’s portion of shared computer American Federation of Teachers 3,256,126 3,147,839 covered by insurance contracts. There were no significant employer plans in the following aspects: expenses totaled $49,887 and $38,978 for the years ended transactions between the PSC/CUNY or related parties and August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of August 31, The American Association of University Professors 256,667 256,333 a. Assets contributed to the multiemployer defined the Plan during the years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019. 2020 and 2019, PSC/CUNY owed the Welfare Fund $3,937 Municipal Labor Committee 43,409 36,464 benefit pension plan by one employer may be used and $1,334, respectively for shared computer services. As Other 26,000 30,250 The following are the balances as of or for the years ended to provide benefits to employees of other participat- of August 31, 2019, the Welfare Fund owed PSC/CUNY August 31, 2020 and 2019 as provided by the Plan’s actuary: ing employers. $5,400 in consulting fees related to office construction. As 10,122,154 9,934,737 2020 2019 b. If a participating employer stops contributing to of August 31, 2020 and 2019, PSC/CUNY owed the Welfare Salaries, employee benefits, and payroll taxes Projected benefit obligation $ (10,367,175) $ (9,038,340) the multiemployer defined benefit pension plan, the Fund $902 and $1,831 in other consulting fees. Salaries $ 3,581,906 $ 3,512,710 unfunded obligations of the multiemployer defined Office Space Leases Fair value of plan assets 6,104,024 4,966,455 benefit pension plan may be borne by the remain- Payroll taxes 287,494 264,845 Funded status $ (4,263,151) $ (4,071,885) ing participating employers. PSC/CUNY leases office space from 61 Broadway Owner, Health benefit expense 1,084,419 937,222 LLC (the Realty Corp). On September 30, 2005, PSC/CUNY Pension benefit expense 783,632 688,975 Accumulated benefit obligation $ (2,004,164) $ (1,797,367) c. If the Plan chooses to stop participating in the mul- entered into a sixteen-year lease with the Realty Corp for tiemployer defined benefit pension plan, the Plan Other 37,897 47,168 Amounts recognized in the statement of financial position: Suites 1500 and 1615 of the 61 Broadway building. The may be required to pay the multiemployer defined lease was amended on August 4, 2009 and May 17, 2012 5,775,348 5,450,920 Noncurrent liabilities $ (4,263,151) $ (4,071,885) benefit pension plan an amount based on the under- to include Suites 1630 and 1610, respectively. The leases, Representational and governance Amounts in net assets not recognized as components of net funded status of the multiemployer defined benefit all which expire on August 31, 2022, are classified as op- periodic benefit cost: pension plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. erating leases and provide for minimum annual rentals, Conferences and conventions $ 101,651 $ 112,429 Accumulated net gain or (loss) (2,258,987) (2,274,518) PSC/CUNY’s participation in the multiemployer defined plus certain additional expense escalations and utility Elections 11,341 27,572 Weighted-average assumptions: benefit pension plan for the annual periods ended August 31, charges. Per the agreement, PSC/CUNY is also respon- Committees 1,514 6,541 sible for its portion of real estate taxes. Discount rate (to discount 2020 and 2019 is outlined in the table below. The zone status 114.506 146,542 plan benefit obligations) 2.59% 2.85% is based on information that PSC/CUNY received from the The minimum annual future rental payments under the three Discount rate (to measure net multiemployer defined benefit pension plan and is certified leases are summarized as follows: Year ending August 31, Public relations periodic pension cost) 2.85% 4.00% by the multiemployer defined benefit pension plan’s actu- Mobilization and outreach $ 72,301 $ 123,648 2021 1,282,830 Expected return on plan assets 7.00% 7.00% ary. Among other factors, pension plans in the red zone Community relations 20,755 26,851 Rate of compensation increase 4.00% 4.00% are generally less than 65 percent funded, pension plans in 2022 1,309,149 Total $ 2,591,979 Cultural activities 3,641 4,378 Employer contributions $ 420,000 $ 431,047 the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded, and pen- sion plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. Rent including utilities and maintenance was $1,206,265 96,697 154,877 Benefits paid $ 91,497 $ 60,355 SEE TABLE 2 and $1,189,874 for the years ended August 31, 2020 and Building expenses Net periodic pension cost - $ 656,976 $ 562,131 2019, respectively. * PSC/CUNY participates in the Local 153 Pension Fund Rent and services $ 1,206,265 $ 1,189,874 service cost PSC/CUNY subleases office space to the Professional Other components of net periodic pension cost: through a collective bargaining agreement between PSC/ Real estate taxes 151,278 126,794 CUNY and the Office & Professional Employees Inter- Staff Congress of the City University of New York Wel- Interest cost $ 256,180 $ 295,236 fare Fund, a related party. The Welfare Fund pays PSC/ Repairs and maintenance 99,698 85,115 Expected return on assets (362,316) (312,091) national Union, Local 153AFL-CIO (Local 153). The col- lective bargaining agreement has a three-year term of CUNY a sum equal to 23.90% of the lease of Suite 1500. 1,457,241 1,401,783 Recognize actuarial (gain) loss 75,957 39,142 The sublease expires on August 31, 2022. Other - 46,070 October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2021. Administrative, office and general The minimum annual future rental income under the $ (30,179) $ 68,357 SEE TABLE 3 Office $ 187,987 $ 262,870 sublease with the related party is summarized as follows: Postage 23,120 30,542 The change in unfunded pension benefit obligations consists * The employer contribution rate of the Pension Plan was Year ending August 31, of the following: $275 per week per employee effective June 1, 2020, and Insurance 46,172 49,769 2021 216,546 2020 2019 $267 effective June 1, 2019. Dues processing 76,357 72,600 2022 220,877 Changes in net periodic SEE TABLE 4 Total $ 437,423 Other 5,184 5,020 pension cost - service cost: Net periodic pension cost - service cost $ 656,976 $ 562,131 NOTE 8. MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN THAT PROVIDES Total rental income for the years ended August 31, 2020 and 338,820 420,801 Less: Employer contributions (420,000) (431,047) POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN 2019 was $283,077 and $260,616, respectively. As of August 31, Professional fees PENSIONS $ 236,976 $ 131,084 2019, the Welfare Fund owed PSC/CUNY $3,000 for rent. This Legal $ 351,219 $ 176,065 PSC/CUNY contributed to one multiemployer defined amount was reimbursed as of August 31, 2020. Consulting 191,088 139,457 Changes recognized in unrestricted net assets other than benefit health and welfare plan during the years ended NOTE 10. LITIGATION net periodic pension August 31, 2020 and 2019 that provides postretirement Accounting and auditing 35,600 34,600 cost - service cost: $ (30,179) $ 68,357 benefits for its full-time support staff employees. PSC/ Certain claims, suits, and complaints arising in the ordi- Computer 155,443 111,018 nary course of business have been filed or are pending Other components of net CUNY’s contributions to the welfare plan on behalf of its Total Professional Fees 733,350 461,140 periodic pension cost full- time support staff employees, contribution rates, and against PSC/CUNY. Increase (decrease) in unrecognized number of employees covered were as follows: On October 24, 2018, a non-member filed a lawsuit against Contract and budget campaigns $ 317,051 $ 759,168 accumulated net gain or loss $ (15,531) $ 768,979 SEE TABLE 5 PSC/CUNY along with several of its affiliates, as a class Stipends and reassigned time $ 458,436 $ 505,851 $ (45,710) $ 837,336 action suit. The claim arises from PSC/CUNY’s collection *Under a collective bargaining agreement between Lo- of agency fees of which the non-member is seeking an order $ 191,266 $ 968,420 Depreciation expense $ 54,513 $ 50,127 cal 153 and PSC/CUNY, PSC/CUNY established cover- from the court directing a refund, along with interest, dam- age through an insured Preferred Provider Organization In 2020 and 2019, PSC/CUNY has recorded a gain of ages, and reasonable attorney fees and costs. The complaint Membership campaign $ 11,328 $ 31,707 Plan to provide medical, dental and prescription benefits. $45,710 and a loss of $837,336, respectively, to its net as- does not specify a dollar amount sought. The plaintiffs filed PSC/CUNY contributed $66 per month to Local 153 Health Total expenses $ 19,479,444 $ 19,317,653 sets for the additional change in accrued pension payable an amended complaint of April 12, 2019. PSC/CUNY and its Fund per active employee and $8 per month per retiree beyond the current-year pension expense. affiliates in the suit are parties to a joint defense agreement See accompanying notes to financial statements. under a collective bargaining agreement between Local The Plan’s expected long-term rate of return on assets as- 153 and PSC/CUNY to provide supplement benefits for sumption is 7.00%. This assumption represents the rate of life insurance coverage and vision benefits. TABLE 2 return on Plan assets reflecting the average rate of earn- ings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to NOTE 9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Pension Protection Act Zone Status Expiration provide for the benefits included in the benefit obligation. Pension Plan’s Pension Date of Identification of Related Organizations Employer Plan’s Extended Extended Collective The assumption has been determined by reflecting PSC/CUNY has the following related entities: expectations regarding future rates of return for the Identification Plan Zone Amortization Amortization Bargaining investment portfolio, with consideration given to the ● American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Legal Name of Pension Plan Number Number Status Provisions Used? Zone Status Provisions Used? Agreement distribution of investments by asset class and historical ● New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) rates of return for each individual asset class. ● Professional Staff Congress of the City University Red as of Red as of of New York Welfare Fund For the years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, there were Local 153 Pension Fund 13-2864289 001 01/01/20 No 01/01/19 No * ● The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) no transfers in or out of levels 1, 2 and 3. The entities listed above share common trustees, officers The following tables set forth, by level within the fair or affiliation with PSC/CUNY. TABLE 3 value hierarchy, the major categories of Plan investments measured at fair value and the allocation of the Plan’s net PSC/CUNY is affiliated with New York State United Number of Employees Covered assets available for benefits at August 31, 2020 and 2019: Teachers (NYSUT) and the American Federation of Contributions paid by by the Pension Plan for which Teachers (AFT) through arrangements whereby PSC/ Contributions to the Pension Plan SEE TABLE 1 the Plan directly to the Employer Contribution Rate the Plan contributes directly to CUNY pays dues to each entity in order for its members Pension Plan greater than 5% of total of the Pension Plan the Pension Plan PSC/CUNY’s investment policies are designed to ensure to participate in affiliated programs and, in turn, is reim- Legal Name of Pension Plan contributions that adequate plan assets are available to provide future bursed for various expenses, including reimbursements Pension Plan 8/31/2020 8/31/2019 (Plan year ending) 8/31/2020 8/31/2019 8/31/2020 8/31/2019 No, Plan No, Plan TABLE 1 Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2020 Local 153 year ending year ending Pension Fund $ 126,656 $ 126,844 8/31/20. 8/31/19. * * 9 10 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Cash & cash equivalents 1.67% $ 102,171 $ 102,171 $ - $ - TABLE 4 Equities 56.32% 3,437,603 3,437,603 - - U.S. Government & Government Minimum contributions required in future Agency obligations 22.25% 1,358,104 1,358,104 - - by CBA, statutory requirements, or other Funding Improvement Plan Surcharge paid to Mutual funds 19.76% 1,206,146 1,206,146 - - contractual requirements? or Rehabilitation Plan Implemented Pension Plan by the 100.00% $ 6,104,024 $ 6,104,024 $ - $ - Legal Name of Pension Plan or Pending? Benefit Funds? No? If yes, description

Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2019 Local 153 Pension Fund Rehabilitation Plan Implemented Yes No N/A Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash & cash equivalents 3.77% $ 187,311 $ 187,311 $ - $ - TABLE 5 Equities 38.83% 1,928,229 1,928,229 - - Employer contribution rates Number of employees covered U.S. Government & Government Contributions to Plan by Plan Agency obligations 35.62% 1,769,203 1,684,280 84,923 - Legal Name of Plan providing Mutual funds 21.78% 1,081,712 1,081,712 - - postretirement benefits other than pension 8/31/2020 8/31/2019 8/31/2020 8/31/2019 8/31/2020 8/31/2019 100.00% $ 4,966,455 $ 4,881,532 $ 84,923 $ - Local 153 Health Fund $ 9,177 $ 9,440 * * 15 16 12 NEWS Clarion | April 2021

gardless of how many days per week Can I take a half day of PFL college HR Office with at least 30 Paid family leave you normally work each week. if I don’t need a full day? days advance notice. If the event or An eligible employee may take reason for the leave is not foresee- Continued from page 7 If you think you will meet one of PFL in daylong increments rather No. The minimum increment for able, you must notify the college as law, PFL benefits will be paid by an these criteria, you may request to than as whole weeks. To determine PFL is a full day. soon as practicable. insurance carrier, not CUNY. opt out. You will not be automatical- the number of PFL days you are eli- All employees should follow their ly excluded from the program. You gible for, multiply by 12 the average What would be an example department procedures and keep How is PFL paid for? must submit the Employee Opt-Out number of paid workdays per week of how I might use PFL in their department chairs or super- PFL is supported through manda- of Paid Family Leave Benefits Form you worked in the eight weeks prior visors informed of their plans for tory employee contributions. The (tinyurl.com/PFL-opt-out) to your to the start of PFL. For example, if one-day increments? use of PFL. principle is that a relatively modest college Human Resources Office you are full-time faculty member One example: you need to provide contribution from all PSC-represent- for approval. The deductions will and are paid for 5 days of work a care for a parent who is undergoing What forms do I need to ed employees creates a substantial stop only after approval. Please see week, you are eligible for 12 times chemotherapy treatments one day a submit and to whom? PFL benefit that is available to all in CUNY’s detailed guidelines for in- five days, or 60 days, if you take PFL week for 15 weeks. In that case, you times of family need. For 2021, the formation on opting out. in one-day increments. might elect to take PFL for To receive PFL benefits, you must payroll deduction is 0.511% of the If you are an adjunct or A big new that one day, or perhaps complete the appropriate Request employee’s wages each pay period, What does it mean that my hourly employee working member that day and the follow- for Paid Family Leave Form and pro- up to a maximum of $385.34 a year. job will be “protected” if I three days per week, you are ing one, every week for 15 vide the necessary documentation. Employees earning $75,408 more will entitled to 36 days of PFL if benefit weeks. Another example Your college HR Office should pro- have a maximum annual deduction take PFL? you take PFL in one-day in- would be providing care vide you the forms and instructions of $385.34, or $14.82 per biweekly Under the state law, employees crements and to 12 weeks of PFL if for a child with a serious health con- for applying to the insurance carrier paycheck as determined by New who take PFL are entitled to resto- the leave is taken in whole weeks. dition requiring constant parental that will pay your wage-replacement York State. ration to “the position of employ- (If you work three days a week, the care. Perhaps your spouse is provid- benefit. If you work at a community Employees may calculate their ment held by the employee when PFL wage replacement benefit will ing care three days a week and you college, your benefit will be paid deduction using the NYS PFL de- the leave commenced or to be re- be based on three days per week.) need to provide care two days each while on PFL by MetLife, through duction calculator: tinyurl.com/ stored to a comparable position week. In that case, you would take its service provider AbSolve. If you PFL-calculator with comparable employment ben- two days of PFL a week. If you are work at a senior college, your ben- efits.” You are also protected from If I am taking eight weeks a full-time employee, you would be efit will be paid by The Standard Are there any caps on the retaliation if you exercise your of Paid Parental Leave (PPL) entitled to a total of 60 days in any Insurance Company. Employees deductions and pay for PFL? rights to PFL. after giving birth, may I also 52-week period, so you could take who work at both a senior college take Paid Family Leave? two days a week for 30 weeks. and a community college should ap- Yes. Both the deductions and the Will my health insurance be ply separately to both AbSolve and pay under PFL are capped, based on maintained while I am on Yes. If you are eligible for paid When do I notify my college the Standard to receive 67% of the the statewide average weekly wage parental leave you may take both that I wish to take PFL? average weekly wage they receive for New York calculated each year. PFL? PPL and PFL, but you cannot take from each college. The employee, Yes, you are entitled to continua- the leaves at the same time. PPL You are responsible for notifying not the college, is responsible for Can I opt out of PFL? tion of your CUNY health insurance must be used first, immediately the college that you intend to apply submission of all necessary forms Only those PSC-represented em- benefits and Welfare Fund benefits after the birth or adoption of the for PFL benefits. If the request is and documentation to the appropri- ployees who meet one of the follow- during PFL. If you pay a premium child. If you plan to use both leaves, foreseeable, you must provide the ate insurance carrier. ing conditions may opt out of PFL: for health insurance through bi- you must take PFL sometime within ● You work fewer than 20 hours per weekly deductions from your CUNY 52 weeks of the birth or placement week and fewer than 175 days in a paycheck, you will remain respon- of the child, after the conclusion of consecutive 52-week period. Teach- sible for paying that premium while your paid parental leave. ing adjuncts and graduate employ- receiving PFL benefits. There are some differences in PSC elections – April 2021 ees will be credited one workday coverage, however: our existing for every contact hour they teach How much time off does PFL PPL does not cover placement of Vote for union-wide officers per semester, with a maximum of provide? a foster child, and it covers adop- five workdays per week. tions only of a child five years or Voting for the election for the PSC Voters with missing or damaged ● Or you work 20-plus hours a week PFL provides 12 weeks of leave younger. PFL has no restrictions Officers and Executive Council, as voting instructions should request re- but for fewer than 26 consecutive in any 52-week period if the PFL on the child’s age and includes fos- well as the delegates to the NYSUT placements by calling the AAA Dupli- weeks in a 52-week period. is taken in weeklong segments, re- ter care. and AFT Convention and AAUP cate Hotline (1-800-529-5218) Monday Annual Meeting Delegates, will through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. take place beginning on Thursday, (EST). This number is to be utilized April 1 when the ballots are mailed only for duplicate requests. Members and will continue until Thursday, may also request replacements by CUNY solidarity with striking Columbia April 29 at 5:00 p.m. (EST), the time emailing Sacha Ulerio at ulerios@ that the ballots must be received adr.org. Voters are asked not to call via mail or electronically through or email prior to Thursday, April 8, graduate student workers the American Arbitration Asso- 2021, to allow sufficient time for the ciation website. The ballots will be delivery of all voting instructions. counted on Friday, April 30. Vot- The complete election rules and ing will be by secret ballot avail- PSC Constitution may be obtained able at aaaelections.org 24 hours a from the PSC website at tinyurl. day throughout the voting period. com/PSC-election-rules and https:// Paper ballots will be available only www.psc-cuny.org/about-us/con- by request. stitution. Relevant sections are Every eligible member will re- summarized in the December 2020 ceive voting instructions via mail Clarion in the article “Notice of and email with instructions and an Nominations and Elections” (psc- individualized personal identifica- cuny.org/clarion/december/2020). tion number (PIN). The PIN will be Any questions regarding election printed above the name and address procedures or materials can be ad- on the pre-printed ballot. Please dressed to [email protected]. check email junk and spam folders Editor’s note: What follows on in case the email was routed there. pages 13–15, as well as the bottom half of page 16 of this newspaper, are HOW TO VOTE election materials provided by the To vote online, log on to the web- one slate that is running in this gen- site of the American Arbitration As- eral election. In accordance with PSC sociation (aaaelections.org). Enter election rules, Clarion provides equal in the space provided your PSC Or- access and space in this newspaper ganization/Login ID (this ID will be for all slates participating in a union- provided in the voting instructions wide general election. While only one mailed and emailed to members). slate is participating this year, mem- There will then be a field to enter bers are nevertheless encouraged to Dave Sanders your PIN. You will then be provid- read through all the materials pro- PSC members and CUNY students support striking graduate workers at Columbia University, where graduate student work- ed instructions on how to cast your vided and to become familiar with ers say the administration will not bargain in good faith over pay and protection from harassment. vote or how to cast a write-in vote. the candidates and the process. Clarion | April 2021 PSC ELECTINEWSON MATERIAL 13 NYSUT, AFT delegate nominees The nominees for delegates to the NYSUT and AFT conventions are: Anthony Andrews, Jr., York College Robert Farrell, Lehman College Marva Lily, Retiree George Sanchez, College of Staten Robert Balun, City College Margaret Feeley, Kingsborough Steve London, Brooklyn College Island Hara Bastas, LaGuardia Community Community College Nivedita Majumdar, John Jay College Emily Schnee, Kingsborough Community College College Beth Ferholt, Brooklyn College Gerald Markowitz, John Jay College Young-Min Seo, LaGuardia Community Jeanette Batiz, Bronx Community College Jennifer Gaboury, Hunter College Ángel L. Martínez, Bronx Community College Michael Batson, College of Staten John Gallagher, Borough of Manhattan College Island Community College A Gerald Martini, Graduate School Scott Sheidlower, York College Cynthia Bink, New York City College of Rulisa Galloway-Perry, John Jay College Elizabeth Mazzola, City College Ian Singleton, Baruch College Technology Soribel Genao, Queens College Howard Meltzer, Borough of Manhattan Michael Spear, Kingsborough Lawrence Bosket, Brooklyn College Community College David Gerwin, Queens College Community College Barbara Bowen, Queens College Rosa Squillacote, Hunter College Joan Greenbaum, Retiree Franklin Mirer, Retiree Robert Cermele, Retiree Pamela Stemberg, City College Anthony Gronowicz, Borough of Joyce Moorman, Retiree Arthur Chitty, Queens College Manhattan Community College Corinna Mullin, John Jay College Christopher Swift, New York City College of Technology Lorraine Cohen, LaGuardia Community Orit Gruber, College of Staten Island Sonia Murrow, Brooklyn College College Joanna Thompson, Borough of Jane Guskin, Queens College J. Paul Narkunas, John Jay College Lizette Colon, Hostos Community Manhattan Community College Jennifer Harrington, City College Hemalatha Navaratne, Borough of College Manhattan Community College Garland Max Thorn, Queens College David Hatchett, Medgar Evers College Jonathan Cope, College of Staten Island Immanuel Ness, Borough of Manhattan Lynne Turner, Graduate School James Davis, Brooklyn College Carol Huang, City College Community College Alia Tyner-Mullings, Guttman Stuart Davis, Baruch College Justyna Jagielnicka, Borough of Marcia Newfield, Retiree Community College Manhattan Community College Iris Delutro, School of Labor and Urban Keith Okrosy, Hunter College Sharon Utakis, Bronx Community Amy Jeu, Hunter College College Studies Daliz Perez-Cabezas, Hostos Community Myrlene Dieudonne, New York City Karlene Johnson, Lehman College College Andrea Vásquez, Graduate School College of Technology Marc Kagan, Lehman College Sharon Persinger, Bronx Community Ruth Wangerin, Lehman College Susan DiRaimo, Lehman College Susan Kang, John Jay College College Dominic Wetzel, Kingsborough Jacqueline DiSalvo, Retiree Geoffrey Kurtz, Borough of Manhattan Marianne Pita, Bronx Community Community College Jacqueline Elliott, New York City Community College College Felicia Wharton, Brooklyn Educational College of Technology Steve Leberstein, Retiree John Pittman, John Jay College Opportunity Center Luke Elliott-Negri, Graduate School Penny Lewis, School of Labor and Urban Anselma Rodriguez, Brooklyn College Stanley Wine, Baruch College Michael Fabricant, Hunter College Studies Nancy Romer, Retiree Janet Winter, John Jay College A leadership transition for volatile times For the past 21 years, under the ex- the PSC’s vision and values on be- city labor movement. Felicia Whar- turn to “normal” is not a viable op- would allow many long-serving traordinary leadership of President half of faculty, staff and the commu- ton, longtime Chapter Chair at one tion. The New Caucus candidates adjuncts to move into positions Barbara Bowen, the New Caucus nities CUNY serves. of CUNY’s four Educational Oppor- seek to meet the challenges of the with security and compensation has led the PSC and built it into a The New Caucus candidates for tunity Centers, offers her acumen pandemic and economic uncer- that reflect their expertise and strong, progressive union. The PSC PSC Principal Officers demonstrate in the Treasurer position. Wharton tainty head-on, representing and would allow for prioritization in under New Caucus leadership has the deep union experience and pas- is a mathematician who has served engaging PSC members so that we the hiring of faculty from under- improved conditions at CUNY and sion for the PSC’s mission shared by on the PSC Finance Committee for can collectively create the condi- represented groups. The New Deal become a force in the labor move- the whole New Caucus slate. James three years. In tandem with four tions for faculty, staff and students for CUNY also mandates higher ra- ment locally and nationally. Presi- Davis is a resilient advocate who seasoned Vice President candi- to be safe and to thrive. tios of advisors and counselors. By dent Bowen’s decision not to seek will bring to the role of President dates, Iris DeLutro, David Hatch- The New Deal for CUNY and the increasing the number of full-time another term means that the union experience on the Executive Coun- ett, Rosa Squillacote and Sharon coalition work we have done with faculty and staff, and pursuing pay will undertake a historic transition cil, in collective bargaining and as Utakis, the officers will collabo- students and unions is an impor- parity for adjuncts. The New Deal during a historic crisis in public chair of a vibrant chapter. Andrea rate with the Executive Council to tant expression of the bold agenda for CUNY envisions a university in health, economic stability and so- Vásquez, an outstanding organizer transform this moment of crisis we will continue to pursue. We which all students can be success- cial justice. The New Caucus has and union strategist and HEO at into a moment of possibility, one in believe CUNY’s overreliance on ful and the careers of faculty and planned for this leadership transi- the Graduate Center, will remain which visionary leadership and an tuition should end. Alongside the staff can flourish. tion, developing another generation as First Vice President. She plays organized union membership can CUNY Rising Alliance, we call We believe that our legislative of skilled, principled and creative a key role in the transition, bring- work together toward realizing the for a tuition-free, quality educa- and bargaining agendas must be leaders. They include returning Ex- ing the experience she has gained founding promise of the people’s tion for all CUNY students. The connected. We will continue to ecutive Council (EC) members who during her first term as First Vice university. New Deal for CUNY demand for bargain hard and wisely on your are experienced union veterans and President. The Vice President for 5,000 new full-time faculty hires behalf and to frame our demands committed newcomers who bring Senior Colleges, Penny Lewis, will OUR PLATFORM over the next five years is at once in relation to the communities in vitality, diversity and engagement step into the PSC Secretary role, There is no going back to the way totally transformative and totally which we live and work. We will with their campuses and constitu- bringing her experience of four things were before the pandemic. achievable, given the sources of continue to prioritize equity for encies. This Executive Council will terms on the EC, and manifold ex- Racial austerity has threatened untapped revenue in New York our lowest-paid faculty and staff seize every opportunity to advance perience at CUNY and the broader CUNY’s mission for years, so a re- State. Fulfilling that demand Continued on page 14 14 PSC ELECTION MATERIAL Clarion | April 2021 NEW CAUCUS SLATE FOR 2021 PSC ELECTION FOR PRESIDENT FOR TREASURER COMMUNITY COLLEGES James Davis has served since 2015 Felicia Wharton is a doctoral lecturer VICE PRESIDENT as Chapter Chair at Brooklyn Col- at the Brooklyn Educational Oppor- Sharon Utakis currently serves as a lege, where he is professor of English. tunity Center (BEOC) and has taught Community College Officer on the PSC He was elected to the PSC Executive mathematics at New York City Col- Executive Council. She is a professor Council in 2018 as Senior College Of- lege of Technology (NYCCT). In 2014, at Bronx Community College (BCC), ficer and serves on the Bargaining she became the chapter chair of the where she teaches English & ESL, with Committee. A longtime PSC activist, BEOC and currently serves on the a PhD in linguistics from the CUNY he was drawn to organizing with stu- PSC finance committee. Felicia is an Graduate Center. Before coming to dents and colleagues 17 years ago to active advocate for the Educational BCC in 2000, she taught as a contingent prevent tuition hikes and military re- Opportunity Centers (EOCs), ensuring faculty member at City Tech, Baruch cruitment on campus. He has helped that EOCs maintain wage and benefit and Queens College, as well as at col- to wage successful chapter campaigns parity with CUNY employees in similar titles, and as chair has leges in several other states. She has for health and safety, academic free- established a strong relationship with the NYCCT PSC chapter, been part of the BCC Chapter Executive Committee for many dom, union membership, adjunct equity, anti-racism and cross- as NYCCT is the administering college of the BEOC. She is a years and served as grievance counselor, among other roles, be- title solidarity. With the PSC, he has led lobbying teams in CUNY graduate with a PhD in urban education from the Gradu- fore becoming chapter chair from 2015 to 2020. She has worked to Albany and demonstrations in the streets, represented the ate Center, a master’s in pure mathematics from Hunter College, make the chapter leadership more diverse and inclusive. Sharon union in public hearings and helped to negotiate the implemen- and recently a master’s in higher education administration from also serves on the New Caucus Governing Board, and helped to tation of the full-time faculty teaching-load reduction. He cur- Baruch College. Her research focuses on the issues and chal- organize two New Caucus anti-racism forums. Currently, Sharon rently holds an elected position on the American Association lenges teachers and students encounter in teaching and learning leads the union-wide one-on-one conversations committee, orga- of University Professors National Council. Prior to his Brook- mathematics in adult education programs. Her work has been nizing strike readiness through phone banking across campuses. lyn College appointment, James spent four years adjuncting published in “Coteaching in International Contexts: An exami- She is a strong believer in one-on-one organizing. at NYC-area colleges and two years in a tenure-line position nation of Ten Years of Research and Practice and Transforming at a community college. A devoted teacher and scholar, he has Urban Education: Urban Teachers and Students Working Collab- Geoffrey Kurtz is Associate Professor published widely on American literature and is a recipient of oratively.” As treasurer of the PSC, she will maintain an accurate of Political Science at Borough of Man- the Excellence in Teaching Award from Brooklyn College. As accounting of all union funds, ensure compliance with relevant hattan Community College (BMCC), President, he is eager to be a passionate voice for academic legislation and make sure that the union assets are safeguarded where he has served as Chapter Sec- labor and sustain an effective, united PSC in the struggle for a and used solely to benefit our members and priorities. retary, Vice Chair, and Chair. In those flourishing university. roles, he led a campaign for increased FOR SECRETARY reassigned time and a VOTE-COPE FOR FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Penny Lewis is Associate Professor of drive, built coalitions with student Andrea Vásquez is the PSC First Vice Labor Studies at the CUNY School of La- groups, initiated a department rep- President and running for re-election in bor and Urban Studies, and Vice Presi- resentative network, helped launch the same position. A Brooklyn native, dent for Senior Colleges for the PSC. She off-hours forums for adjunct faculty Andrea attended NYC public schools received her doctorate at the Graduate members, and worked to make one-on-one organizing conversa- and earned her BA from Hunter Col- Center and has worked at CUNY since, tions a regular part of the life of the chapter. He has also partici- lege. She is Associate Director at the including as a graduate fellow at John pated extensively in PSC legislative and electoral efforts. Before Graduate Center’s American Social Jay, adjunct at Queens, teacher at the arriving at CUNY, he was a field organizer for labor-allied elec- History Project/Center for Media and Hunter Campus Schools, and instruc- toral projects, a staffer for other social justice groups, a graduate Learning. She has been active in the tor at Borough of Manhattan Commu- employee active in the Rutgers AAUP-AFT, and a part-time AFT PSC since the moment she was hired nity College. A PSC activist since grad member-organizer. A political theorist, he studies American po- in the HEO series in 2000. Before becom- school, Penny has been on the Executive Council since 2009, Co- litical thought and the intellectual history of the democratic left. ing First Vice President, she served as Chair of the Solidarity Committee, Labor-Management Chair and HEO Chapter Chair where she focused is currently on the Bargaining Committee. She has helped lead Howard Meltzer is a professor in mu- on contract enforcement and building new leadership, espe- numerous campaigns over the years, such as successful efforts sic and art at Borough of Manhattan cially among women of color in the HEO series. As First Vice to win in-state tuition for undocumented students, local campus Community College (BMCC). A long- President, she has focused on membership and PSC coalition reductions in class size and pay equity raises, and efforts to help time member of the American Federa- work with other unions, the revenue coalition, and the CUNY the PSC and other New York unions prepare for the Janus deci- tion of Musicians, he was a freelance Rising Alliance. As a part of the union’s legislative and coali- sion. She writes about social movements, and is co-editor of the musician and then a recreation special- tion work, Andrea has played a leading role in the New Deal forthcoming Immigration Matters: Visions, Strategies and Move- ist for New York City’s Department of for CUNY campaign and legislation. Andrea feels privileged ments for a Progressive Future (The New Press, 2021) and coauthor Parks and Recreation (DC37) and an to have had the support, passion, wisdom and solidarity of her of the forthcoming A People’s Guide to New York City (University adjunct at Baruch, BMCC, Fordham, sister officers over the past three years and she is committed to of California Press, 2021). Penny is excited to be part of a strong and St. John’s University. He worked assisting in a smooth and effective transition from one strong team to secure past gains and bring us closer to a just and equitable at the non-union University of North principled leadership body to another. CUNY for workers and students alike. Texas and Lock Haven University of A leadership transition for volatile times

Continued from page 13 place harassment is in everyone’s more than 1,000 laid-off contingent tial for escalation. New Caucus was a collective achievement, ad- and fight for fair pay and safe interest and demands our shared employees. leaders have helped to forge an vanced by research, persistence working conditions for all. We engagement. In recent years, high rates of effective CUNY Rising Alliance and skillful negotiating, but ulti- recognize that a fully-funded, eq- union membership and stable coalition of community groups, mately powered by the action of uitably staffed, fairly compensated RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER NEW budgets have been maintained unions and student organizations. wide circles of PSC members in CUNY will require tenacity at the CAUCUS LEADERSHIP through New Caucus leadership This New Caucus slate brings to- the political arena, at our colleges bargaining table and in our leg- Our union has been tested despite the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME gether elected leaders and campus and in the streets. The cumulative islative work. Moreover, we will throughout the crisis of the pan- U.S. Supreme Court decision. The activists with established records knowledge, energy and experience defend existing PSC-CUNY nego- demic, when our commitment has union’s voice has been amplified in of organizing colleagues and fos- of PSC members under strong New tiated agreements, bringing the full been to “Save Jobs, Save Lives, the public, legislative and electoral tering union democracy. We be- Caucus leadership has made the force of our members behind legal Save CUNY.” The New Caucus arenas, advancing a public higher lieve the union is only as strong difference for our union, our uni- and political remedies to hold the leadership has advocated and education agenda. And the PSC as its roots, and we are committed versity and our students. administration accountable to the ensured the health and safety of has formed chapter-level commit- to supporting chapter-level power. A vote for the New Caucus is a contract. We will build upon previ- CUNY employees, defended con- tees to build and assess the strike- We are proud of the achievements vote for a vibrant, engaged union ous initiatives to center the efforts tractual agreements, negotiated readiness of members in order to of the PSC’s New Caucus leader- committed to a better CUNY and a of anti-racism and anti-bullying the option for faculty and CLTs strengthen the union’s interrelated ship over recent years. (You can just society. within CUNY and the union, since to defer tenure review and fel- campaigns, galvanize chapters and read a comprehensive list here: Vote for union power. MARK addressing the insidious impacts lowship leaves, and led vigorous meet the CUNY budget and safety https://newcaucus.wordpress. YOUR BALLOT FOR THE NEW of white supremacy and work- campaigns that helped to reinstate crises with a demonstrable poten- com/our-successes/.) Each one CAUCUS SLATE. Clarion | April 2021 PSC ELECTION MATERIAL 15

Pennsylvania. He served on two regional boards of the ACLU, Janet Winter has been a devoted Lynne Turner serves as the Gradu- in Dallas and Central Pennsylvania, and as President of an LGBT PSC activist for many years, par- ate Center Chapter Chair and Part- Community Organization in Dallas, the Oak Lawn Band. In 2003, ticipating in numerous campaigns. Time Personnel Officer on the PSC he was hired at BMCC and served as a Department Chair from Currently a member of the PSC Executive Council. She is a doctoral 2011 to 2016. Howard has served on the finance committee, or- Executive Council (EC), she is the candidate in sociology at the Gradu- ganized adjunct fora, and represented BMCC at the Delegate Vice Chair of the HEO chapter and ate Center and teaches as an adjunct Assembly before his election to the Executive Council in 2018. a member of the PSC Health and lecturer at LaGuardia Community Safety Committee. She has worked College. Lynne is on the steering Emily Schnee is a professor of Eng- at John Jay College as a HEO for committee of the PSC’s Committee for lish at Kingsborough Community over 30 years, and currently works Adjuncts and Part-Timers and took College where she has taught devel- as the Assistant to the Interim on various leadership roles during opmental English, composition, and AVP of Enrollment Management. the CUNY Summer of Struggle and literature classes since 2008. Prior to At John Jay, she is a member of contract fight. She spearheaded work for fair funding and becoming part of the full-time faculty, the HEO Labor-Management Committee and an ‘honorary’ EC guaranteed health insurance for tuition-only fellows at the she received her PhD in urban educa- member of the faculty chapter, in which she has participated Graduate Center. As a New Caucus coordinator, Lynne orga- tion from the CUNY Graduate Center for years, including in labor-management meetings. Janet is an nized a multi-university panel on Bargaining for a Common and worked as an adjunct instructor, advocate for HEOs and all members of the PSC. She wants to ex- Good in Higher Education and looks to further work building graduate assistant, and instructor in pand membership participation and engagement in union work. alignment with students and community within multifacet- adult education programs at various ed, escalating campaigns for a New Deal for CUNY. Prior to CUNY campuses. Her research fo- graduate studies, Lynne was a long-term organizing director, cuses on questions of justice and eq- PART-TIME PERSONNEL researcher and educator in labor and labor-community orga- uity in community college education and has been published nizations, as well as global justice and anti-war activist. Her in the Community College Journal of Research and Practice, VICE PRESIDENT research on SEIU’s Fight for a Fair Economy is a chapter in Community College Review, Radical Teacher, Teachers College Rosa Squillacote has been Vice “New Labor in New York: Precarious Workers and the Future Record and other journals. Emily has been active in the PSC President of Part-Time Personnel of the Labor Movement.” for the past decade and is honored to have been nominated to since summer 2020 and is a mem- serve on the New Caucus slate as a Community College Officer. ber of the Hunter College Execu- tive Committee. She is honored to SENIOR COLLEGE be on the New Caucus slate for the CROSS-CAMPUS same position. Rosa is an adjunct VICE PRESIDENT assistant professor in political David Hatchett has been a PSC activ- VICE PRESIDENT science, where she teaches law ist since 2001 and currently sits on the Iris DeLutro, a senior counselor and and government classes. She ma- PSC’s Executive Council and serves CUNY-wide coordinator of the LEAP triculated at the CUNY Graduate on the union’s Bargaining Committee. to Teacher Program of the CUNY Center in 2014 and her research He is a member of the Executive Com- School of Labor and Urban Studies focuses on the democratic possi- mittee of the Medgar Evers College since 1984, is running for re-election bilities of criminal legal institutions in American governance. PSC chapter. David was an adjunct for to the position of PSC vice president Rosa holds a law degree from UC Berkeley and has a long 22 years and has long been an advo- for Cross-Campus Units. She serves history in criminal justice advocacy, including cofounding cate for part-timers. He has served as on the board of directors of NYSUT, the Police Reform Organizing Project (PROP). She was a the Coordinator of the part-time fac- the PSC bargaining team and the founding member of /Upper Manhattan branch of ulty Liaison Program since 2005. The PSC Legislation Committee. Iris has NYC-DSA and is an active member of Hand in Hand, which program employs part-time faculty on long been a leader in the PSC, and is organizes domestic employees and employers. She organizes 17 CUNY campuses to inform other adjunct faculty about their known across CUNY campuses for locally with Mott Haven Families against police brutality in rights and benefits and encourages them to join the PSC. David her advocacy for all workers and for students. Iris works to the Bronx. Rosa and her partner have two toddlers. is currently a lecturer at Medgar Evers and understands the ensure equity and advancement for the professional staff and to needs of full-time and adjunct faculty. He is deeply committed raise awareness of professional staff issues, including bullying Ángel L. Martínez has taught at to bringing more diversity to the PSC and CUNY. in the workplace, changes to the time and leave time sheets, CUNY since 2017 and is an adjunct increased workload and the lack of a promotional system for assistant professor at Bronx Com- Michael Batson is a lecturer in the HEOs and CLTs. munity College, where he teaches history department and COR 100 political science. He also teaches Program at the College of Staten Is- Myrlene Dieudonne is a HEO Cross- Puerto Rican and Latina/o studies land (CSI). Prior to his appointment Campus Officer seeking re-election at Hunter College. Ángel serves in 2017, he was an adjunct lecturer at to the Executive Council. She works on the Bronx Community College CSI since 2000, and at Kingsborough at New York City College of Technol- chapter’s Executive Committee Community College from 2010 to 2015. ogy as Associate Director of Campus and uses his voice to call out for He has been on the Executive Coun- Services. Prior to joining City Tech, justice, equality, and job security cil since 2009 serving two terms as a Myrlene worked as Senior Program for adjuncts and part-timers. His Part-Time Personnel Officer, and one Manager at the Police Athletic League research interests include the his- term as a Senior College Officer, and as a career guidance counselor. She is tory of Puerto Rican cultural and has served on the bargaining team an active member of the HEO Steer- political movements in the U.S. and the union’s role in anti- through the past two contracts through today’s impact bar- ing Committee, advocating for better racist solidarity. He is a poet and cultural worker and has per- gaining. He has worked as a Part-Time Liaison, and was the working environments across CUNY. She is also member of formed in labor arts festivals. Ángel is honored to be nominated VOTE-COPE Coordinator for three years. In the CSI chapter, several PSC committees, including Health and Safety, the HEO by the New Caucus for the position of Part-Time Personnel Michael has worked to grow union membership, both in terms chapter Executive Committee, the Delegate Assembly, and is Officer of the PSC. of numbers and engagement. He produced a report in 2010 on actively involved with one-on-one outreach and organizing. the impact of budget cuts on adjunct layoffs, helped to plan and Pamela Stemberg is an adjunct implement the 2017 strike authorization vote, and he played an Amy Jeu, a college laboratory tech- assistant professor in English at instrumental role in gaining eligibility for adjuncts to the city nician (CLT) in the geography and The City College of New York and health care plan. environmental science department Hostos Community College. As a at Hunter College, is a union-wide part-time faculty member at City Susan Kang is a member of the Del- Officer-at-Large for the CLT Chapter; College, she has received several egate Assembly and is running for a member of the PSC Anti-Bullying, Campus Engagement Network Senior College Officer. She is an as- Anti-Racism, and Membership Reten- grants to work with students sociate professor of political science tion Crisis committees; and serves on and community-based organiza- at John Jay College. Her research the PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund Adviso- tions, creating public awareness/ and teaching interests include in- ry Council. She served for over a de- education campaigns on dis/abil- ternational relations, international cade in the CLT Chapter as Delegate, ity, prisoner reentry and vaccine political economy, labor and human Secretary, a grievance counselor, Vice acceptance. Pam is a graduate of rights and international law. She has Chair and acting Chair proudly representing an overworked, City College with an MFA in creative non-fiction and a mas- published journal articles and a book underpaid and deeply committed “invisible” labor force of the ter’s candidate in digital humanities at the Graduate Center. on the ways in which unions and so- university. Through her leadership, the CLT Chapter adopted She serves as City College’s Vice Chapter Chair and Adjunct cial movements can use international a Dignity at Work Policy, has taken firm positions on bullying Liaison. She is a staunch supporter of adjuncts, advocating for human rights law to challenge auster- and the misuses of rankism, advocates for equality and fair paid family leave, unemployment benefits, a path to full-time ity and neoliberalism. Prior to coming to CUNY, Susan was treatment of all in the workplace and is an agent of change. employment and pay equity. In Albany, she has advocated for active in a graduate employees union organizing drive at the As a PSC Cross-Campus Officer and a delegate to NYSUT and full funding for CUNY and a tuition-free CUNY. She currently University of Minnesota. Susan is also active in state and local AFT, her goals include expanding membership engagement to serves on the Anti-Bullying and Membership Retention Crisis politics. She helped create No IDC NY in 2017 and currently include CLTs, increasing awareness and knowledge of all titles, Committee. She is honored to be nominated for the position serves in leadership in the NYC chapter of the Democratic and sustaining a robust union. of Community College Officer. Socialists of America. Professional Staff Congress/CUNY 61 Broadway, 15th Floor NonProfit Org. New York, New York 10006 U.S. Postage Return Service Requested PAID New York, N.Y. Permit No. 8049

15 –MINUTE ACTIVIST Check out our ND4C ad On pages 8 and 9 of this newspaper, you will find a summary of the New Deal for CUNY, an ambitious piece of legislation supported by the PSC and other advocates that would fully fund CUNY, bring back tuition-free education and hire more faculty and staff. The bill already has support in both houses of the New York State Legislature. According to a union release, an ad in support of the higher education bill ran on broadcast and digital media in New York City, Long Island, Westchester and Albany, and featured “a recent rally in support of the New Deal for CUNY.” Check out the ad here: tinyurl.com/new-deal-4-CUNY-ad.

16 PSC ELECTION MATERIAL Clarion | April 2021 NEW CAUCUS SLATE FOR 2021 PSC ELECTION

Continued from page 15 past five years, including Higher Ed Lobby Day student, college assistant, adjunct, and HEO, She’s also active on the PSC’s Legislative Com- George Emilio San- in February 2020 to fight for support for CUNY and delegate has given him a unique and per- mittee and in the CUNY Rising Alliance. chez is honored to and the Committee of 100 in March 2020. sonal insight into the concerns that our mem- be nominated to the bers face. Sharon Persinger PSC Executive Coun- Nancy Romer is an has served since cil slate for the third active retiree chapter Luke Elliott-Negri 2015 as Treasurer of consecutive term. He member and chair is the Legislative the PSC. During that currently is the Chap- of the Environmen- Representative for period, she chaired ter Chair at the Col- tal Justice Working the PSC-CUNY. He the committee that lege of Staten Island Group. She looks for- serves on the Bar- worked to negotiate and is completing ward to working with gaining Committee, contract provisions his third term in that the new leadership and is running for for observations of role. He is a professor in the drama program on the PSC Executive re-election as a uni- online courses, par- of the Performing and Creative Arts Depart- Council. She served on versity-wide officer. ticipated in the Leg- ment. He served as Chair for his department the Executive Council As the Legislative islative Committee, for 12 years. He is a performance artist who from 2000 to 2009, and Representative, he and served as Co-Chair of the internal Contract has created and is presenting a series titled was an active member of the Brooklyn College has helped coordinate the PSC’s 2021 endorse- Enforcement Committee, in addition to leading “Performing the Constitution.” His next per- PSC chapter from 1973 to her retirement in ment process and electoral work. He has also the development and monitoring of the union formance, as part of this series, is titled “In the 2016. Her goals include supporting a smooth worked with elected and staff leaders to devel- budget. She is currently a member of the An- Court of the Conqueror,” and focuses on the transition with the new leadership, establishing op and execute a state-level legislative strat- ti-Bullying Committee and the Membership 200-year-old history of Supreme Court rulings more agency and capacity in the various union egy, with a focus on the New Deal for CUNY. Retention Crisis Committee. Previously, she that have diminished the Tribal Sovereignty committees and working groups, expanding re- Luke works as a non-teaching adjunct at the served as Vice Chair and Chair of the chapter of Native Nations in Indian Country. He is a tiree engagement in the community, support- School of Labor and Urban Studies, where he at Bronx Community College, where she is an Social Practice Artist-in-Residence at Abrons ing movement and electoral work of the PSC, conducts research on worker organizing. He associate professor in the department of math- Arts Center on the Lower East Side. In August and expanding democratic participation of all has published studies on labor, politics and ematics and computer science. 2021, he will receive his master’s in legal studies members. Nancy is a professor emerita of psy- social movements in journals such as Social in indigenous peoples’ law from the College of chology at Brooklyn College. Problems, Socius, New Labor Forum, and So- Yo u n g m i n S e o is an Law at the University of Oklahoma. cial Movement Studies. His forthcoming co- adjunct lecturer in the authored book project with Oxford University social science depart- UNIVERSITY-WIDE Press analyzes the conditions under which ment at LaGuardia RETIREES Lawrence Bosket social movements can make substantial gains. Community College Prior to retirement, has had a long and and Borough of Man- Marva Lilly served varied connection Jennifer Gaboury hattan Community three years as HEO with Brooklyn Col- is a full-time lec- College (BMCC). He Chapter Treasurer at lege (BC). It began turer on an adjunct has a master’s in an- John Jay College. She in Fall 1997 when he conversion line in thropology from the participated in the entered the Adult the department of City College of New campaign to sign up Degree Program to women and gender York and is ABD in non-fee-payers to the pursue a dual-BA studies at Hunter anthropology at the PSC. She was an Al- degree in sociology College. She’s cur- CUNY Graduate Center. He has taught at sev- ternate Delegate and and political science. rently working on eral CUNY campuses, including Lehman, Kings- attended Delegate As- After completing his a book about seg- borough, and is currently at BMCC. He served sembly meetings and many rallies. Since joining degrees, he became a graduate student in the regation related as Student Senator at the Graduate Center from the PSC Retiree Chapter Executive Committee, Political Science department. Concurrently, he to shared objects 1994 to 1996. He was an alternate College Senator she has worked on the Social Safety Net Com- started working as a CUNYCAP in the Admis- and intimate public spaces, including public at LaGuardia Community College from 2012 to mittee, presenting workshops to NYSUT state- sions Office. In 2005, he became an assistant to bathrooms. She has served on the boards 2014. He has been a PSC Delegate since 2014 and wide audiences of educators and community HEO and later a transfer admission counselor. of CLAGS (Center for LGBTQ Studies) and a LaGuardia PSC Adjunct Liaison from 2016. He groups on the benefits of saving Social Secu- His connection with Brooklyn College also in- Alternatives to Marriage Project, and has has also served the chapter as an Executive Com- rity. Marva currently serves as Secretary of the cluded a stint as an adjunct lecturer at Brooklyn been a member of the Advisory Committee mittee member. He will focus on the equity for all PSC Retiree Chapter Exective Committee and a College from 2006 through 2013. He has been a for the LGBTQ Rights Division at Human part-timers, CETs, NTAs, CLTs and adjuncts. He NYSUT Retiree Council Delegate. She served on HEO Delegate since 2016 and currently serves Rights Watch, where, in another lifetime, she will work for full-time faculty suffering through the NYSUT Registration Committee in 2019. She on BC Campus Reentry Review Team and the also worked. She currently serves as Chapter suffocating workloads, but he will fight hardest has participated as a lobbyist in Albany for the Team for Racial Justice. His background as a Chair at Hunter College for the PSC CUNY. for students and their future.