RA slated for April 25-27

UUP delegates to next month’s NYSUT 2002 Representative Assembly (RA) in New York City will vote on sweeping policy changes proposed by the NYSUT Board of Directors.

The proposed constitutional amendments would create, for the first time, a separate set of bylaws to spell out the operational principles — as opposed to the guiding principles — for the organization.

The RA is set for April 25-27 at the New York Hilton.

Those operational principles and procedures have been enumerated in the NYSUT Constitution since the merger in 1972 that created one statewide federation. The circumstances of the merger then precluded separating the bylaws.

In recommending the amendments to the RA, the board said it would be more efficient and appropriate to create a separate document to detail those procedures. The proposed bylaws could be revised by a simple majority vote. The constitution can only be amended by a two-thirds vote of delegates attending the annual RA.

In addition, the amendments would extend the terms of office for all NYSUT elected representatives, including statewide officers and directors, from two years to three years, effective this April election. All the offices are up for election this year.

The amendments also include giving the board the ability to temporarily increase its size in the event of a significant change in demographics, such as organizing a large unit in a nontraditional constituency.

UUP Treasurer Rowena Blackman-Stroud, Legislation Chair Patricia Bentley of SUNY Plattsburgh and Thomas Matthews of SUNY Geneseo represent UUP on the NYSUT Board of Directors.

Meanwhile, at Voice press time, more than 100 resolutions — including those submitted by UUP — are under review by the NYSUT board. In general, the higher ed resolutions deal with the state budget, and legislative and policy issues.