Cover story: UUPers rally for better SUNY budget

UUPers demonstrated over and over again this legislative session that, when they speak, lawmakers listen. At several union events in Albany last month, union activists capitalized on opportunities to seek a better state budget for SUNY from legislators.

Concluding a March 20 SUNY Advocacy Day, nearly 100 UUPers gathered en masse in blustery snow at the Capitol steps. They traveled from campuses as far as Buffalo, Canton, Plattsburgh, New York City and Long Island — with a dozen from New Paltz alone — to voice their concerns about the flat $1.8 billion budget the executive plan proposes for SUNY’s state-operated campuses.

To UUP, a flat budget will result in budget cuts, as University campuses attempt to meet increased expenses without increased means. “We’ve heard from campus presidents that without additional funds there will be hundreds of layoffs,” UUP President William Scheuerman said. “We want a ‘no layoff’ budget,” he said. “A flat budget isn’t enough.”

Assemblyman John McEneny (D-Albany) addressed the crowd about the need to improve funding for SUNY. “We cannot let SUNY get undermined,” he said. “I commend you for being here time and time again, for keeping the governor and the Legislature on the straight and narrow.”

Earlier that day, unionists met with lawmakers at the Legislative Office Building, bringing with them the message for a greater investment for a stronger University. Speaking with UUPers from Buffalo State and Oswego, Assemblyman James Hayes (R-E. Amherst) assured the group that his house “will fight tooth and nail this year against SUNY budget cuts.”

These meetings followed on the heels of UUP’s advocacy to highlight the unique needs at SUNY’s specialized University Colleges of Technology (UCT).

During all-day visits with state lawmakers in Albany, UUPers urged legislators to increase fiscal support so these colleges can make necessary technological upgrades, bolster new four-year programs and rectify long-standing faculty salary inequities.

“We need money for technology,” said Delhi UUPer Joseph Greenfield in a meeting in Assemblyman Clifford Crouch’s (R-Bainbridge) office. “Even when we get new faculty members, we can’t keep them,” he said. “Once they come, they realize there’s no money to update the [outdated] technology.”

In addition to the technological courses, the UCTs continue to offer strong agricultural programs and support is needed to maintain them.

“Agriculture is still a big industry in New York state, but the funding is not getting funneled back to the UCTs,” said Delhi Chapter President Gary Edwards.

Legislators from both houses reassured the UUPers that funding for SUNY is a major concern of lawmakers.

“In our conference, the priority is education,” said Assemblyman Jacob Gunther III (D-Forestburgh). His perspective was echoed by Sen. James Wright (R-Watertown), who said restorations for full-time faculty lines and campuses’ contractual obligations to faculty were main concerns of Senate Republicans.

During the March sessions with unionists, lawmakers generally acknowledged that SUNY was hurt under last year’s “bare-bones” budget and viewed fiscal restorations to public educational systems as a legislative priority this year.

“You have my unyielding support,” said Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington (D-Patchoque) in a NYSUT-sponsored Committee of 100 meeting that included Stony Brook HSC UUPers Tina Maria Manning, Kathy Southerton and Doris Weisman.

At Voice press time, funding for SUNY’s health science centers was the focus of UUP’s Albany attention.

The union also continued to work with lawmakers on an early retirement incentive bill. There are two competing bills and Scheuerman assured members that UUP would fight for the one most beneficial to SUNY employees. He cautioned members against making any retirement plans based on erroneous reports that legislation has been finalized.

“There is no done deal,” Scheuerman said.

Meanwhile, two of the Assembly’s ardent and outspoken SUNY supporters recently announced their upcoming retirements. Edward Sullivan (D-New York), chair of the Assembly Higher Education Commit-tee, and Martin Luster (D-Trumansburg) — both of whom are past recipients of UUP’s Friend of SUNY award — will retire at the end of their current terms in December. Sullivan, too, addressed the UUP demonstrators. As Scheuerman presented him with a red UUP hat, Sullivan told the snow-capped crowd: “I salute you. I support you and I urge you to make your protest as strong as you can.”

— Lisa Feldman Reich