FA members in attendance at the NYSUT Community College Conference included, front row from left, Joan Cook, Anabel Darini and Mary Griffin as well as, back row from left, Cynthia Eaton, Jared Dowd, Erica Amato, John Capurso, Courtney Brewer, Dante Morelli, Rich Lauria and Ed Champ. Not shown are Kim Ng Southard and Sharadha Sambasivan. (photo by David Stern, NCCFT)

Every December, I highlight how quickly the year seems to have come to an end. 2025 is no different and, as we reflect on the year, it’s important that we reflect on our union and our labor.

NYSUT Community College Conference

I’ll begin with one of my favorite highlights of the fall semester.

Fifteen FA members attended the NYSUT Community College Conference in Saratoga Springs in early November. FA members had the opportunity to attend workshops on grievances, political advocacy, dual credit, understanding community college finances, adjunct faculty issues, federal implications on community colleges and more.

We proudly bring members to this conference every year to learn about their union and build activism around issues that affect our members at SUNY community colleges across the state. In speaking with some of members who joined us this year, I was happy to know that Financial Aid Counselor Jared Dowd, in attendance for the first time, found the conference inspiring. Jared said,

Attending the conference reinforced and revitalized the importance of our union. As someone with a social work background, there is so much crossover regarding advocacy, building bridges and bargaining for the common good. It is imperative that we all come together to protect issues that are at stake especially in this day and age. Academic freedom, pressure for removal of DEI and significant cuts from the federal government and potential ones at the state level could all undermine colleges’ plans to create more economic opportunities and jobs.

As a counselor in financial aid, I see daily the impact the federal Pell grant plays on access to education. In the SUNY system more than $600 million a year is received for our students and for many this is the only way they would be able to receive an education.

Because he has been fortunate to enjoy the protections of the union and all it provides, Jared stays involved in the FA to help ensure that this occurs for future students—as well as his own children.

	FA Executive Vice President Courtney Brewer presented during a workshop on local political outreach, with a particular focus on maintaining relationships with local legislators, at the NYSUT Community College Conference. (photo by Cynthia Eaton)

Another relatively new attendee is Information Technology Specialist II Ed Champ, who reflected on the experience, “What I found most interesting was the connections I made with faculty from other community colleges who are also in the IT field to hear their perspectives, insights and challenges on their campuses, not only union related but IT related. So I would encourage others to come to the Community College Conference if for nothing else to experience how colleagues are doing the same things we do, but differently.”

Rich Lauria, a perennial attendee, fully agreed with Ed: “I highly recommend that faculty attend the Community College Conference. Most times we are focused on our daily routines, whether it’s the classes we teach or our nonclassroom roles at the college. The conference lets you meet your counterparts at other schools throughout the state and this makes you realize that you are part of something much bigger than yourself. We are part of a team of professionals working together to advocate for our students, our colleges and our jobs.”

Rich also echoed Jared’s sentiment about protecting our union rights and benefits. “I don’t want to frame it as a fight,” he began, “but sometimes it is, and it’s reassuring to know that our union—in collaboration with other unions across the state—have done their homework, learned the issues and met with the elected officials responsible for shaping policy and funding our institution. This conference allows you to learn about all of that.”

Bill to support a faculty/staff Board of Trustees member

	FA Social Media Coordinator Joan Cook presented during a workshop on using media to inform and engage your membership at the NYSUT Community College Conference. (photo by Cynthia Eaton)

Also at the NYSUT Community College Conference, we learned about an outstanding item that would benefit our union membership. We need Governor Hochul to sign Senate Bill 4658-B that will allow for a nonvoting faculty or staff member to serve on the college Board of Trustees. The bill has been passed by both the New York State Assembly and Senate, so the last step requires the Governor’s signature.

Making Strides and Fix Tier 6

NYSUT’s activism has been productive with regard to pension system tier reform. NYSUT organized the successful Fix Tier 6 rally that we held in early October at which nearly 1,000 unionists showed up to advocate for retirement tier equity.

NYSUT is also a major sponsor of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and the FA has long participated in this important event for both fundraising and awareness raising. We had an extraordinary year for Making Strides, and I thank Joan Cook, Teresa Noto and everyone else involved for helping to raise record contributions from members, family and friends on behalf of Team FA.

SUNY Reconnect

Here at the college, the beginning of our academic year saw an influx of more than 850 students thanks to the new SUNY Reconnect program. This program provides free community college to 25- to 55-year-old students who have not earned an associate’s degree and who enroll in high-need workforce development programs.

As a result of SUNY Reconnect, the FA welcomed eight new full-time faculty members, with many of these positions filled by our adjunct faculty members. For the last five years, we are proud that more than half of those full-time positions have been earned by our adjunct faculty members. Our adjunct faculty are often best poised to take on full-time lines as they know our student population and campus culture and know how to navigate the various processes at the college.

Beacon and student experience surveys

Over the last year, we have worked hard on labor-management issues around Beacon and the end-of-course student experience surveys. The Beacon liaison program has been updated and improved to provide guidance and assistance to our high school partners. The student experience survey pilot program has been instituted this semester, and the FA will be monitoring the data, results, distribution and implementation of the surveys.

2025 elections

Finally, at the county level, 17 of the 18 FA-endorsed candidates for Suffolk County Legislature won their respective races. We look forward to the ongoing relationships we have established with our elected officials. Our advocacy and relationships with Suffolk County legislators matter because the legislature acts similarly to a school board by approving our contracts, campus building projects and the annual college budget. As of now, it’s expected that all the legislative seats will be up for election in 2026 as Suffolk County will transition to an even-year, four-year election cycle.

Looking ahead to 2026

The contract will be our top priority in 2026 as our current stipulation of agreement with the college and Suffolk County expires on August 31. In the February 2026 edition of The WORD, I will detail the process for negotiations and how we will engage members in that process.

As we look back on 2025 and ahead to 2026, there is so much to be thankful for as unionists. Personally, for some members, there have been struggles with health and other personal issues that I have been privy to over the past year. While our labor unites us, we also need to reflect on our colleagues and students who are in need and to help when we can. We know you have already been showing up in these ways. In addition...

• I am proud that so many FA members answered the call for our food pantries which have been in great need. Thank you for contributing!
• Thank you to the members who showed up at our FA/Guild September 12 professional development workshop to learn how we can help our current students; if you missed that event, read Courtney Brewer’s article to learn more.
• Our gratitude goes to our faculty who already work hard to ensure their materials are ADA compliant for students—and we strongly urge all members to learn about the new ADA regulations coming into effect in April 2026 as well as how to make sure you are in full compliance.
• I cannot speak highly enough of our FA members who contribute to the SCC Foundation—just like all of us FA officers do—because those donations go straight to our deserving students who need a bit of extra support; please encourage more colleagues and alumni to donate!
• We appreciate our members who take the time to learn proper college policies and procedures, such as what your responsibilities are in the event of sick and personal days.
• Finally, we appreciate members who continue to help students achieve by staying abreast of technological changes at the college. Be sure to let your students know how to Get Tech Ready at the start of the spring semester.
  

I hope enjoy this issue of The WORD, enjoy your holiday season, get some rest, catch up with family and friends—and may your New Year be filled with joy, gratitude and good health.