Attendees at this year’s NYSUT Community College Conference included, from left, John Capurso, Tim McHeffey, Dante Morelli, Sharadha Sambasivan, Anabel Darini, Renee McClean, Kim Ng Southard, Mary Griffin, Kevin McCoy, Courtney Brewer and Cynthia Eaton. (photo by Praveen Sambasivan)

Since this year’s NYSUT Community College Conference was held on November 8-10, immediately after the election, Associate Professor of Mathematics Anabel Darini felt some uncertainty about what to expect. “I was a first-time attendee,” she noted, “and this was the first conference I’ve attended that was not specific to mathematics.” As a new conference participant, she only had a preliminary sense of the kinds of workshops and atmosphere she would encounter.

“Right after the election, I was wary of potential negative energy,” Anabel acknowledged, “but it was the complete opposite. Everyone’s point of view was focused on moving forward, working together and keep fighting the fight. That had a big impact on me.”

Anabel wasn’t the only conference attendee who felt such relief and gratitude. Both American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person gave speeches at the conference, and it was the first time either had addressed a group post-election. Several FA members at our table described their speeches as “thoughtful,” “inspiring” and “heartening.”

Excellent mix of academic and union-themed workshops

	Adjunct Instructor of Physical Sciences Mary Griffin, right, enjoyed the adjunct issues workshops, while Professor of Business Tim McHeffey sits alongside Dante Morelli as he listens to AFT President Randi Weingarten’s speech. (photos by El-Wise Noisette, NYSUT)

The positive energy extended throughout the workshops on a variety of timely and important academic and union topics at the Sagamore in Bolton Landing during the 45th annual NYSUT Community College Conference:

• Academic freedom on campus: Faculty and student rights roundtable
• Conflict resolution and grievance procedures
• Coalition building for community college unions
• Treasurer’s training
• Building a narrative for your local
• 2024 to 2028: Looking ahead at the future of higher education
• Artificial intelligence technology on campus and in the union
• Building a brand for your union
• Adjunct faculty contract exchange
• Negotiating language through a DEI lens
• How a bill becomes a law
• Adjunct and contingent members: Different roles and different needs
• Relationships with community college trustees
• Community college finances 2023-24

Professor of Chemistry Sharadha Sambasivan learned a great deal from the sessions that she attended, she said, about how the union helps us in a wide range of issues. She highlighted the academic freedom workshop and added, “I also learned a lot from the artificial intelligence workshop, such as how detection programs can only detect about one-quarter of AI-generated content and that students are more willing than ever to pay for these services.” So it has become more evident than ever to Sharadha that “we seriously need to adjust our assignments.”

Incoming adjunct EC rep Renee McClean (History) also enjoyed the artificial intelligence workshop. In addition, she noted, “The subjects they tackled in the adjunct rights and contract negotiations sessions were extremely informative and helpful in identifying some issues regarding protective language in our own contract.“

FA officers present

	Executive Vice President Courtney Brewer presented during the workshop on building effective relationships with members of your college board of trustees. (photo by El-Wise Noisette, NYSUT)

Three of our six FA officers presented at the conference this year:

• President Dante Morelli: Building a Narrative for Your Local
• Executive Vice President Courtney Brewer: Relationships with Community College Trustees
• Grievance Officer Kevin McCoy: Conflict Resolution and Grievance Procedures.

During the Sunday morning roundtable “speed dating” style mini-sessions, both Courtney and I presented on our Local Action Project work while Dante presented on member-to-member communications.

Each fall we are proud to have such a strong FA presence at the NYSUT Community College Conference, and we hope you’ll join us next year! It’s not too early to let Dante know if you would like your name added to the list of prospective attendees. As shown in the workshop list above, there really is something for everyone, and the time spent getting to know colleagues better—both here at SCCC and across the state—is invaluable. Getting to understand the concerns and challenges faced by faculty at other community colleges is also useful for perspective taking.

Anabel said it best: “I think we take for granted how privileged we are compared to faculty at other colleges. I realized that we really don’t have to deal with the issues that other colleges have to deal with. It was eye opening.”