The FA was once again well represented at this year’s NYSUT Community College Conference. From left, seated, are Christina Vargas, Tim McHeffey, Kim Ng Southard and Mary Sierra. From left, standing, are Cynthia Eaton, Mark Tse, Dante Morelli, Joan Cook, Kevin McCoy, Ben Laudicina, Gerome Bell, Carl Coulanges and Courtney Brewer. (photo by NYSUT Labor Relations Specialist Elizabeth Vignaux)

“Being a new EC rep,” Mary Sierra (Counseling) shares, “my first time at the NYSUT Community College Conference helped me get a better understanding of the union and how we fit into the big picture.”

Tim McHeffey (Business) agrees. “It really was a great conference. Chatting with a new FA member, I told him how much it helps to talk with people across the state. You realize how good we have it here, what work remains to be done and the role of the FA in all of it.”

We have come a long way since 1979, when New York State United Teachers hosted the first NYSUT Community College Conference. Our institutions have seen a lot, have suffered a lot and have celebrated a lot. What remains constant is change—and the commitment of our community college faculty to shepherd our locals through this change.

Held on November 4-6 in Saratoga Springs, the 43rd annual conference hosted AAUP President Irene Mulvey as the keynote speaker and saw several FA officers present workshops.

Academic freedom matters more than ever

	AAUP President Irene Mulvey spoke about the historic merger between AAUP and AFT this summer, about current issues facing our unions and about the critical importance of protecting academic freedom. (photo by NYSUT Publications Specialist Andrew Watson)

After the historic merger of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) this summer, we were pleased to see that Irene Mulvey had been brought in by ED39 Director Roberta Elins as our keynote speaker.

Mulvey held aloft the AAUP Redbook, officially titled Policy Documents and Reports, throughout her presentation and repeatedly cited specific page numbers from it as she noted the urgency with which we must speak out about core issues like shared governance as well as evaluation of faculty members (page 217), contingent appointments (page 170) and academic freedom in the classroom (page 20).

Most importantly, Mulvey argued, academic unionists must use their collective power to push back against the “education gag orders” that are gaining traction across the nation. Legislation built around faux anti-CRT concerns and “divisive concepts” legislation, she noted, are direct attacks on academic freedom.

Christina Vargas, left, and Cynthia Eaton, right, presented on the importance of making our colleges more accepting and inclusive not only in the interests of improved student retention but for the benefit of everyone at the institution. (photos by NYSUT Publications Specialist Andrew Watson)

JEDI collaboration, gripes vs. grievances and crafting political connections

Understanding academic freedom and how to address divisive concepts were part of the workshop I co-presented with SCCC Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator Christina Vargas. With the new SUNY DEI action plan, DEI learning outcomes, current social issues and enrollment challenges across the state, the FA collaborated with SCCC administration to develop the JEDI Institute in 2021.

Our workshop gave participants a brief history and overview of the JEDI structure and content, with special emphasis on its relation to student retention and success. Christina notes that “one of our goals was to emphasize that this partnership has provided an important space for faculty to share equity-minded best practices with each other.”

Our grievance officer Kevin McCoy, meanwhile, was busy helping conference attendees learn the difference between a gripe and a grievance and how to determine if a case—one that rises above the level of gripe because a contractual provision has been violated—is actually grievable. Along with his NYSUT labor relations specialist co-presenter, Kevin reviewed case histories and discussed how each might fare before an arbitrator.

During the final session, FA President Dante Morelli presented on working with local elected officials. Dante and Ellen Mancuso of the Monroe Community College FA discussed how to make connections with county officials to advance the goals of the college and to leverage action on the state level. Speaking about effective communication was a natural fit for Dante, of course, and he shared his ideas on how to establish positive, productive relationships with one’s college trustees, county executive, county legislators and others—which can be seen in his cover story in this issue.

Finally, on Sunday morning, conference attendees participated in a whole group “speed dating” event, for which presenters (on topics as diverse as membership drives and engagement, communication strategies, spreading the union movement, resources for adjuncts and social justice) hopped from table to table in a timed fashion and shared their best advice on their assigned topic. I was asked to be one of these presenters and shared information and advice about the FA’s communication efforts, including our social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; new YouTube channel; and traditional mediums like our FA website, Gmail, and of course The WORD.

“I've attended this conference for years,” notes Joan Cook (Library), “and each year I discover new and intriguing workshops on the agenda that spark my curiosity. Somehow, the conference just gets better each time.”

Contact Dante if you’d like to attend next fall, and he’ll add you to our list so you can take a look at the big picture for yourselves.

Christina Vargas (Chief Diversity Officer), Carl Coulanges (Communication, Radio & TV) and Mark Tse (Music)
Gerome Bell (Counseling)		Mary Sierra (Counseling)
Mark Tse (Music)		Tim McHeffey (Business)