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The Delphian October 29, 2018 The Voice of the Students Volume 74, Issue 3 Matt Jacobs Talks Unions at Adelphi’s Annual Finkelstein Lecture The effects of this were brutal in some groups that Jacobs admitted were “smart, BY MATTHEW SCHROH unions. In Wisconsin and Michigan, Ja- patient and strategic, laid out a multi-de- cobs noted, the loss of fair share fees led cade plan to kill unions in order to kill pub- The annual Robert and Augusta P. to “thousands and thousands of members lic institutions.” Finkelstein Memorial Lecture Series was who wanted to get the benefits and pay It was in these interests that Janus held on October 17 in the Adelphi Perform- nothing.” v AFSCME succeeded, and that unions are ing Arts Center. The featured speaker was Jacobs stressed the importance incredibly weakened, and soon, more than Matt Jacobs, a former history teacher and that unions have had for the working-class agency fees could be outlawed. vocal union proponent of the New York of the country, especially in the 1950s, “As sure as I am standing here I State United Teachers (NYSUT) where 1960s and early 1970s, when around 34 promise you that within a short time the he serves as Nassau regional staff direc- percent of private sector employees be- Supreme Court will rule that pay roles tor. The annual lecture organized by the longed to unions, and the public sector due deduction is unconstitutional,” Jacobs Ruth S. Ammon School of Education was began unionizing as well. The American predicted. Without it, unions will have to started in 1981 by Augusta Finkelstein, an Dream flourished at this time, he said. go member to member asking them to pay Adelphi alumnus of the class of 1928 and “Ordinary working-class families their dues instead of the current automatic widow of Robert Finkelstein, industrialist could buy a home, own a car, send their process. and lifelong advocate of education. kids to college. In large parts that was hap- “A case was filed the day after Jacobs provided some interest- pening because unions were negotiating Janus in Ohio to attack exclusivity bar- ing information to the nearly 100 in atten- contracts that gave them living wages that gaining rights,” Jacobs said. These are the dance, explaining the importance of unions Matt Jacobs has been a vocal union would allow them to taste that American rights unions have to negotiate a contract following this year’s Supreme Court case proponent for decades, fighting what he Dream. It didn’t make them rich, but it for their members. If these rights are taken feels is an attempt by the wealthy to take Janus v. AFSCME. Mark Janus sued his gave them a larger slice of the pie,” Jacobs away, anyone will be able to try and nego- away their power. union in Illinois, Jacobs explained, because said. tiate their own contracts with the higher- he disagreed with the union’s political po- cy/fair share fees are a violation of First But big businesses were unhappy ups, and it will be much more difficult for sitions and didn’t think he should have to Amendment rights to freedom of political with this model, especially with a high unions to guarantee everyone a fair con- pay union dues to support these positions. affiliation. The loss of agency fees meant tax rate that took around 70 percent of tract. Tenure, which allows teachers to be “The problem with Janus’ argu- that people did not have to pay union dues the income of the wealthiest Americans. fairly secure in their work, is also vulner- ment,” Jacobs said, “is that he wasn’t pay- to get the benefits that the union negotiated They fought against unions in a larger able. ing for the political positions of his union. for them – medical coverage, working con- fight against public institutions, which “Cases have been filed in Califor- Those are paid for by voluntary contribu- dition improvements, and, particularly im- they disliked because “if a public insti- nia and New York finding tenure unconsti- tions of members, not by dues.” portant, raises. The people the union fought tution is doing something, like teaching tutional,” Jacobs said, adding that consid- Regardless, Janus won the case, for could obtain all of these benefits and students, [they’re] not getting any slice of (continued on to page 6) and the Supreme Court found that agen- not have to pay their union a cent. that.” Well-organized groups in the 1970s, First Trunk-or-Treat Event Puts a Fun Spin on Students Unite Trick-or-Treating for Panther Day BY MATTHEW SCHROH “The Adelphi community really came together,” Kouridakis said. of Service This year’s trunk-or-treat fea- While trick-or-treating on Octo- tured cars decorated by the CSO, the Stu- BY ERIC GRAVES ber 24, Adelphi students had their pick of dent Activities Board, the Newman Club, candies surrounded by colorful, humorous CALIBER and the Future Teachers of Students, faculty and staff all decorations – only instead of visiting hous- America. Many are optimistic that trunk- participated in a neighborhood-wide com- es, they were going car trunk to car trunk. or-treat could become an annual Hallow- munity service event on September 28, the The Trunk-or-Treat event is not een event, and that list of organizations Panther Day of Service. There were 52 stu- an idea that originated at Adelphi but involved could grow. dents and three professional staff members found its way here through the recom- “They should definitely do this again,” who served at nine different off-campus mendation of the Commuter Student Or- said CSO member Maia Jones. community services sites in the local com- ganization (CSO), which was featured at “I really think it went well. I think munity, ending in a total of 180 hours of the event with a candy-themed trunk. The our club support came out,” said Christina service, according to Jason Spradley, assis- idea is that, rather than decorating a house The Commuter Student Organization (CSO) Sullivan, Newman Club president. is largely responsible for the establishment tant director for the University’s Center of Students who swiped in received a tick- for Halloween and having trick-or-treaters of this event at Adelphi, and placed second Student Involvement (CSI). ring the bell to receive candy, student or- in the decorations contest. et which they could give to the car they The projects ranged from volun- ganizations decorated a car trunk instead. thought was the best decorated. The New- teering at senior centers playing games, Adelphi students swiped in and walked thing called ‘trunk-or-treat’ and we thought man Club and its Christmas-themed deco- singing and interacting with the senior citi- down the row of cars, picking whatever ‘hey, maybe we should do this.’” rations won, while the CSO placed close zens, and gardening and beautification of candy they liked from any of them. The event was a great chance for second. local elementary schools, Theodore Roo- Helen Kouridakis, vice president students to get candy and hot chocolate and With a little luck, the trunk-or- sevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center and of the CSO, explained the inspiration for hang around, bundled up in their coats, lis- treat experience will remain at Adelphi for Cross Roads farm. the idea. “Halloween was coming and I tening to classic Halloween music on a nice years to come, and make it into Halloween (continued on to page 2) was talking to my boss. He mentioned this brisk Wednesday afternoon. tradition. 2 • October 29, 2018 NEWS The Delphian A Word from the Editor BOO, or should I say WHO is ready to read The Delphian’s Issue three? Hi, ev- eryone, I hope I didn’t scare you. I would like to start off by saying welcome and thank you Editor-in-Chief Volume 74 to our new writers on staff; we are glad to have you. Next, I would like to thank Professor Nicoletta Cuccio Issue 3 Burby, our advisor, and Valerie, our productions artist, for their continuous dedication and hard work; it is not unnoticed. Now, let’s look at what we have put together for issue three. News Editor Earle Hall Media Center News We have some breaking news for you this issue starting with some com- Matthew Schroh One South Avenue munity service from your Adelphi Panthers. Read about the student body giving back to the Garden City, NY 11530 community on Adelphi’s United Day of Caring. We would also like to announce our 5th An- Editorials Editor nual Media Career Expo and encourage all to attend to network and learn from alumni and Victoria Grinthal HOW TO REACH US others who are working in the field of media today. Adelphi does an excellent job of bringing Main Office: 516-877-6935 in a variety of meaningful speakers to educate the student body and staff. Read about an an- Features Editor E-mail: [email protected] nual event that was organized by the School of Education, which provided those in atten- Maria Giovanna Jumper dance with information regarding the winning of a Supreme Court case. News is spread by LETTERS TO THE EDITOR you, so grab a copy of The Delphian, read what has gone on around campus and beyond and Sports Editor Letters to the editor must be less than start spreading the news. Olivia Franks 400 words and include the author’s Editorials This issue in editorials, we look at why your one vote can make a name, as well as affiliation to the difference and have an impact on upcoming elections.

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