PSC/CUNY COPE is the PSC’s Committee on Political Education—the political action arm of our union and part of the non-partisan VOTE COPE program supported by hundreds of thousands of union members from our state and national affiliates, NYSUT and AFT. COPE contributions are voluntary and only PSC/CUNY members may contribute.
Check your pay stub to confirm that you are a PSC member and check your paystub to find out whether you are currently contributing. Please note that when you change titles or campuses, you may need to restart your COPE contributions.
To contribute to COPE, you must be either a citizen or permanent resident (Green Card holder) of the United States.
To sign up to contribute to COPE or to increase your contributions, click the appropriate section below:
Active CUNY Employees
PSC members who are on CUNY payroll can sign up for regular payroll deductions. It’s the easiest way to give. Just click here to fill out the online PSC/CUNY COPE Authorization via DocuSign.
Active Research Foundation Employees
Research Foundation employees who are PSC members can contribute online as often as they wish via this DocuSign, but are not eligible for payroll deductions. The minimum individual online contribution is $25. Research Foundation employees can also contribute by a check payable to PSC/CUNY COPE mailed to PSC/CUNY COPE, 25 Broadway, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10004.
Retirees
Retirees who are PSC members can contribute online as often as they wish via this DocuSign, but are not eligible for payroll deductions. The minimum individual online contribution is $25. Retirees can also contribute by a check payable to PSC/CUNY COPE mailed to PSC/CUNY-COPE, 25 Broadway, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10004.
Why PSC Members Should Contribute to COPE
- VOTE COPE is one vital element of our political program, and the more members who contribute, the bigger and stronger our program can become. We use VOTE COPE money to support and hold accountable political candidates who fight for CUNY, to support organizations who fight alongside us for CUNY funding, and to stipend members to do political work for the union. Dues are not used for such purposes.
- Numbers count! The more members we have contributing to VOTE COPE the stronger our argument is that our members care about the extent to which legislators and our union affiliates prioritize CUNY and the PSC. We put our money where our mouth is, and we expect them to pay attention to our demands and needs.
COPE Victories achieved in the 2024 state and city budget negotiations
- Lowered the Final Average Salary calculation from 5 to 3 yrs for Tier 6 members
- Kept $53M in funding for new faculty hires (recurring )
- Additional $40< in new operating aid for senior and community colleges above last year’s enacted budget
- Increased TAP awards for the first time since 2000. Raised the minimum award from $500 to $1,000
- NYC Council restored $15M in budget cuts from mayor
- CUNY Reconnect: $5.9 million
- CUNY Accelerate, Complete, and Engage (ACE): $10.1 million
- CUNY ASAP for All: $4.5 million
PSC/CUNY will not favor or disfavor the contributor based on contribution amount; contributions are made voluntarily, without fear of reprisal; and contributing to VOTE COPE is not a condition of membership. Money received is used for political contributions and expenditures in connection with federal, state and local elections. Contributions to VOTE COPE are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
