2009 SPRING DELEGATE ASSEMBLY
HIGHLIGHTS AND RESOLUTIONS
The 2009 Spring Delegate Assembly was called to order by President Phillip H. Smith at
5:00 p.m., Friday, April 24, 2009 in the King Street Ballroom of the Desmond Hotel, Albany, NY.
In Pre-Plenary Activities:
- The Veterans Affairs Committee heard Barry Morgan, Director of the US Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, speak about the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.
- Academic Delegates held an open discussion on campus issues.
- Professional Delegates heard from Barbara Maertz and Yolanda Pauze (both of Farmingdale) on Member Education at Farmingdale and from Jamie Dangler (Cortland) on the Gender Inequity Study for Professionals.
In the Friday evening Plenary Session:
- Delegates heard the report of President Phil Smith.
- Delegates Adopted a Special Order of Business acknowledging the work of the UUP Outreach Committee:
Whereas, the UUP Outreach Committee has performed its responsibilities in an outstanding manner again this year; and
Whereas, the UUP Outreach Committee’s successes have been recognized by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) by awarding to the UUP Outreach Committee the AFT President’s Award for Outstanding Service; and
Whereas, the UUP Outreach Committee has earned its reputation for Political Action and Advocacy in no small part due to the leadership of Co-Chairs Glenn McNitt and Tom Tucker; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Spring 2009 Delegate Assembly acknowledges, congratulates
and thanks the UUP Outreach Committee and its Co-Chairs, Glenn McNitt and Tom Tucker.
MOTION ADOPTED
At the Friday night dinner:
- President Smith recognized outgoing Chapter Presidents: Bob Rees (Alfred), Ezra Zubrow (Buffalo Center), Larry Ashley (Cortland), Jay Gilbert (ESC), Mike Smiles (Farmingdale), Tim Allan (Fredonia), Meg Stolee (Geneseo), Glenn McNitt (New Paltz), Chuck Spector (Oswego), and John Schmidt (Stony Brook).
- President Smith welcomed newly elected Chapter Presidents.
- Journalism Awards were given to the following Chapter and Retiree publications:
Cobleskill Unity
Honorable Mention, General Excellence, Editor: Joanna Sanchez
Cortland Cause
Best in Class, General Excellence, Editor: Karla Alwes
Best in Class, Best Art or Photo, Photographer: Brian Tappen of Upstate Medical
Award of Merit, Best Feature Story, Writer: Karla Alwes
Award of Merit, Best Editorial or Column, Writer: Lawrence Ashley
Farmingdale Unifier
Honorable Mention, Best Editorial or Column, Writer: Michael Smiles
Oneonta Sentinel
Award of Merit, General Excellence, Editor: Jill Attanasio
Oswego In Touch
Award of Merit, General Excellence, Editor: Donald Masterson
Stony Brook Insight
Award of Merit, General Excellence, Editor: Pamela Wolfskill
Award of Merit, Best Web Site, Webmaster: Wolfskill
Stony Brook HSC
Best in Class, Best Web Site, Webmaster: Bruce Kube
Upstate Medical University
Award of Merit, Best Web Site, Webmaster: Colin Massulik
UUP Retirees The Active Retiree
Best in Class, Best Feature Story, Writer: Malcolm Nelson of Fredonia
Best in Class: Best Editorial or Column, Writer: Judith Wishnia of Stony Brook
After dinner, Delegates participated in the Candidates Forum.
In the Saturday morning Plenary Session, Delegates elected:
- Phil Smith (UMU), President
- Eileen Landy (Old Westbury), Secretary
- Ed Quinn (Stony Brook), Membership Development Officer
- Executive Board, Specialized College
Mike Smiles (Farmingdale)
- Executive Board Academics:
Laura Rhoads (Potsdam)
Bob Reganse (Farmingdale)
Glenn McNitt (New Paltz)
David Curry (Plattsburgh)
Executive Board Professionals:
Edison Bond (Brooklyn HSC)
Brian Tappen (UMU)
Caroline Bailey (ESF)
- Delegates took the following actions:
- Adopted by acclamation a Resolution thanking departing Executive Board members
A Special Order of Business: A Resolution of Appreciation for Three People Leaving the Executive Board
Whereas, Darryl Wood served on the Executive Board since 2001; and
Whereas, Wes Kennison served on the Executive Board since 2005; and
Whereas, Ezra Zubrow served on the Executive Board since 2007; and
Whereas, during their service Darryl, Wes and Ezra when expressing their views, always kept the best interests of the UUP membership in the forefront; and
Whereas, Darryl, Wes and Ezra will not be continuing their service on the Executive Board after today’s elections; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Delegate Assembly recognize and thank each of them for their years of distinguished service to UUP as members of the Executive Board.
MOTION ADOPTED BY ACCLAMATION
- Adopted by Acclamation a Resolution of Thanks to Laura Kirch, UUP Director of Technology.
Whereas, Laura Kirch created and installed the program to enable the UUP elections to proceed so smoothly; and
Whereas, Laura Kirch worked to ensure the process was a success; therefore be it
Resolved, the 2009 Spring Delegate Assembly recognizes the important contributions made by Laura Kirch to the success of our elections; and be it further
Resolved, the Delegates thank Laura for her efforts on behalf of UUP.
MOTION ADOPTED BY ACCLAMATION
- Adopted by Acclamation a Resolution of Appreciation for the hard work of the UUP Elections and Credentials Committee.
Resolved, that the 2009 Delegate Assembly recognizes the efforts of the UUP Elections and Credentials Committee and thank them for their outstanding work to complete the 2009 – 2011 Chapter, Affiliate and Retiree elections; as well as for their excellent work during the DA, both for registration and especially for the elections.
MOTION ADOPTED BY ACCLAMATION
- Adopted a Special Order of Business to extend Sympathy to Charles Hansen (Stony Brook) on the death of his wife.
Whereas, Charlie Hansen was a visionary pioneer founder of UUP; and
Whereas, Charlie was a mentor to the founding generation of UUP activists and leaders; and
Whereas, Charlie fought tirelessly and with creative insight for the dignity and material well-being of the professional staff at SUNY; and
Whereas, Charlie led the fight for statutory protection of permanent appointment for SUNY’s professional employees; and
Whereas, Charlie had his remarkable wife Theresa as his partner in all endeavors for 58 years of marriage; and
Whereas, Theresa passed away on Friday morning, April 24, 2009; therefore, be it
Resolved, that the UUP Delegate Assembly extends its deep sympathy to Charlie Hansen and embraces him as a dear colleague in his time of sorrow, and be it further
Resolved, that the Delegates ask UUP President Phil Smith to convey this resolution to Charlie on this day.
MOTION ADOPTED BY ACCLAMATION
- Adopted a Resolution to distribute letters to Senator Schumer requesting his assistance in stopping the appointment of William J. Hochul, Jr. as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York.
- Adopted a Resolution Condemning the Closure of the Nursing Program at New Paltz and Proposing a Financial Solution from the Nursing Professions Work Group.
Whereas, the Nursing Program at SUNY New Paltz has served the Hudson Valley for 25 years; and
Whereas, this RN-to-BS program meets the needs of the graduates of at least 7 nearby community college nursing programs and is the only SUNY baccalaureate nursing program serving a 4-county area; and
Whereas, a baccalaureate degree in nursing is under consideration as a requirement for all associate degree nurses within 10 years of initial licensure; and
Whereas, there is a national and state nursing shortage whose fundamental cause is lack of nursing faculty; and
Whereas, a baccalaureate degree in nursing is required for admission to graduate programs to become a faculty member and for personal and professional growth; and
Whereas, U.S. Representatives John M. McHugh (R- NY-23), Timothy Bishop (D-NY-1), Michael Arcuri (D-NY-24), Yvette Clark (D-NY-11), Joseph Crowley (D-NY-7), Brian Higgins (D-NY-27), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22), Steve Israel (D-NY-2), Chris Lee (R-NY-26), Nita Lowey (D-NY-18), Dan Maffei (D-NY-25), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-14), Eric Massa (D-NY-29), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY-04), Gregory Meeks (D-NY-06), Charles Rangel (D-NY-15), Louise Slaughter (D-NY-28), Paul Tonko (D-NY-21), Ed Towns (D-NY-10), and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-12) have asked Governor Paterson to use $118 million from his discretionary Federal stimulus money to support the SUNY budget; therefore be it
Resolved, that the UUP President write a letter to President Poskanzer at SUNY New Paltz opposing the closure of the Nursing program; and be it further
Resolved, that the UUP Outreach Committee use its resources to advocate on behalf of our colleagues at SUNY New Paltz; and be it further
Resolved, that the UUP President write a letter of support for this effort by the members of the New York State Congressional delegation to secure $118 million in funding for SUNY to save this, and other programs from budgetary cuts.
MOTION ADOPTED
- Adopted a Resolution from the Solidarity and Labor and Higher Education Committees on the War in Afghanistan.
Whereas, the U.S. escalation of war in Afghanistan raises important questions for the labor movement and all Americans, as has the Iraq war from 2003 to the present; and
Whereas, US Labor Against the War, a coalition of over 190 locals, central labor councils, state federations, and other labor organizations, has called for discussion of the Afghan war from the grassroots of the labor movement on up; and
Whereas, UUP is a charter member of US Labor Against the War; therefore be it
Resolved, that the UUP Delegate Assembly supports USLAW’s efforts to determine a grassroots labor position on the war in Afghanistan and its possible extension into Pakistan and the region; and be it further
Resolved, that we urge our members to become fully aware of the reasons for the current escalation of the war in Afghanistan and the potential consequences of that escalation, in preparation for a discussion of the issue (in a forum or other appropriate venue) at the fall ’09 Delegate Assembly in Rochester, and at the chapter level.
MOTION ADOPTED
- Adopted a Resolution from the Part-Time Concerns Committee to endorse Organizing for Unemployment Reform in New York (O.U.R. New York).
Whereas, UUP supports the reform of unemployment insurance in New York State; and
Whereas, many of our fellow labor organizations have joined to support O.U.R. New York, an initiative of National Employment Law Project, devoted to Unemployment insurance reform; therefore be it
Resolved, that UUP continue to demonstrate solidarity with the labor movement in New York and nationally by endorsing Organizing for Unemployment Reform New York.
MOTION ADOPTED
- Adopted a Resolution from the Women’s Rights and Concerns Committee to send a letter to Adelphi University Professors congratulating them on their Successful Class Action Suit to Gain Pay Equity.
Whereas, in September 2007 the women faculty members at Adelphi University filed a class action civil suit though the EEOC to gain pay equity; and
Whereas, this month the announcement was made that thirty-seven women faculty members had finally been awarded over $385,000 in back pay and raises to resolve this inequity, and the University itself will be monitored to ensure that it will maintain and enhance equitable pay for women faculty members; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Delegate Assembly request that the President of UUP write a letter to Professor Judith Cohen, the lead plaintiff, which she can share with her colleagues, congratulating them on their very significant victory in overcoming a long traditional of inequitable pay to women.
MOTION ADOPTED
- Adopted in principle a Resolution from the Committee on Active Retired Membership to join Rekindling Reform.
- Adopted a Resolution from the Task force on Emerging Issues of Diversity to urge Lawmakers and SUNY to Elevate the Office of Diversity and Educational Equity to the Chancellor’s Cabinet.
Whereas, SUNY has a history of encouraging diversity in New York; and
Whereas, SUNY has continued this tradition with the creation in 2007 of the position of Vice Provost of Diversity and Educational Equity in a newly formed Office of Diversity within the Office of the Provost in the State University of New York; and
Whereas, UUP has a record of supporting diversity with the establishment of numerous committees and task forces including Affirmative Action, Disability Rights and Concerns, Emerging Issues of Diversity, EOC, EOP, Human and Civil Rights, Latino Affairs, LGBTQ, Pay Equity Based on Race, Veterans’ Affairs, and Women’s Rights and Concerns; and
Whereas, several members of the New York State Legislature are urging that this Office of Diversity and Educational Equity be moved to a position of greater prominence within the Chancellor’s Cabinet; therefore be it
Resolved, that UUP support this effort by asking the statewide UUP President to send a letter to incoming Chancellor Nancy Zimpher; Vice Provost Pedro Caban; Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo, Chair of the New York State Hispanic Legislative Task Force and all members of the Task Force; Assemblywoman Deborah Glick; Assemblywoman Toby Ann Staviski, and all members of the Black, Puerto Rican, and Asian Caucus supporting this critically important initiative.
MOTION ADOPTED
After a call for a Quorum Count, the 2009 Spring Delegate Assembly adjourned at 1:20 p.m. |
