Renowned CUNY Faculty Speak Out in Ad Campaign against Pathways
After passing more than 100 resolutions against Pathways, gathering almost 6,000 signatures, challenging CUNY in court and still not being heard, the union is going public with our concern about the quality of a CUNY degree. Dr. Blanche Wiesen Cook, distinguished professor of history at John Jay College, and Dr. Manfred Philipp, professor of chemistry at Lehman College, are featured in a new PSC ad campaign opposing Pathways, CUNY’s new core curriculum. Look for the ads in the New York Times this week. The ads call on CUNY to “listen to the faculty” and “protect the quality of a CUNY education,” and they criticize the new core curriculum for requiring “less time in writing classes, reduced foreign language study, and less rigorous basic science classes without lab work.” Visit the Pathways campaign page to view the ads online.
Faculty Council Censures Brooklyn College Admin over Pathways Implementation
The Brooklyn College Faculty Council has censured their college administration for bypassing faculty governance to implement Pathways. In a resolution passed by an overwhelming majority at their Mar. 12 meeting, the Faculty Council voted to “condemn the College administration’s grievous action of making curriculum changes not approved by the College’s faculty.” At Brooklyn College and other campuses, Pathways-compliant courses have been submitted to CUNY Central without the approval of faculty governance bodies, and in some cases even without departmental approval. These actions fundamentally undermine the role of the faculty in developing curriculum. Read the resolution here.
Rally to End Gun Violence—Thurs., Mar. 21
PSC members will join New York Voices Against Gun Violence for a massive mobilization against gun violence on Mar. 21 at 4:30 PM in front of the Harlem State Office Building, 163 West 125th Street at Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. (7th Ave.) The coalition, which PSC wholeheartedly supports, is backing the NYSAFE Act, recently passed in Albany, and pressing the federal government and other states to pass similar legislation. Download a flier here. Those interested in attending should contact Deirdre Brill at [email protected].
Save the Date for PSC’s Mayoral Forum—Tues., Apr. 23
Candidates for the office of Mayor of New York City will be asked about their plans for CUNY and their support of labor issues at PSC’s Mayoral Forum, scheduled for 7-9 PM on Tues., Apr. 23. The forum will be in room 201 of the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College (2180 3rd Ave., at 119th St.). Mark your calendar, and be there to show the next mayor that better working and learning conditions at CUNY must be a priority. For more information, contact Amanda Magalhaes at [email protected].
Another Successful Student/Faculty/Staff Higher Education Action Day
More than 400 students, faculty and staff gathered in Albany last week for PSC’s 4th annual Higher Education Action Day, cosponsored by our union colleagues from UUP and NYSUT and our student coalition partners from NYPIRG and CUNY USS. Together we urged the Legislature to make major investments in public higher education and financial aid. Throughout the day, union members and students took part in 130 meetings with legislators and their staff. News reports out of Albany say the budget is not yet resolved, but it’s clear that our advocacy helped: lawmakers report that the budget will include increased funding for community colleges. See news coverage of the day here and here. See a gallery of photos from the event here on the PSC website.
Adjunct Health Insurance Extended Through April 30
The current adjunct health insurance through the PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund has been extended through April 30. Read the message here.
