PAnorama: May 2001
Thanks, Bill!
by Ellis Gage Searles
In this issue of PAnorama, Bill Perrotti has written about the recent election and other developments in the life of the PA. He’s also reviewed the progress that our union has made. What he has not mentioned is the fact that the dynamic growth in our Professional Association has happened largely because of his leadership.
In the three years since Bill became president, a real transformation has occurred in our organization. What has always been--by virtue of its dedicated leaders--a strong, smart, and highly-respected union has become even more than that. By revising our constitution, we’ve restructured the way we operate. More of us are involved now than ever before. Communication is more open. We’re more visible, and we’re energized. And it’s not too much to say that Bill has been the driving force behind it all.
The PA has been very lucky, indeed. With balanced perspective, clear vision, and good humor, Bill has given truly extraordinary service to the union. As I step into this job, I feel inspired by his example.
Also, of course, as we make this transition, I’m counting on Bill’s guidance and am sustained by knowing that he’ll continue to be actively involved, as he has been for all his years at MVCC. My hope is that I can carry on the work he’s begun, helping the PA to grow as an effective, inclusive, influential organization.
All of us in the MVCC Professional Association owe Bill Perrotti a debt of gratitude. Our union is a far better organization because of his unselfish commitment to its ideals.
From the President's Desk
by Bill Perrotti
As it turns out, this is actually the last opportunity I have to communicate with the membership in this manner. I would like to use the space to update you all on a few items.
Meeting with County Executive
Since the last issue of PAnorama, Ellis and I met with County Executive Ralph Eannace. The focus of our frank discussion was the current status of compensation for faculty and non-teaching professionals at the college, particularly as they compare with those institutions within the county with which we most directly compete, and its impact on MVCC. What follows is the gist of that conversation.
MVCC average salaries lag behind the average salary for all community colleges by about 20%. Likewise, when our median salary is compared to those of Oneida County K-12 educators, we are far behind. The same is true when we look at our salaries compared to those of teaching and non-teaching professionals at SUNY IT. The sad reality is that we are now and will continue to be in direct competition with these institutions to attract and retain quality individuals and the competition is most keen with other institutions within our sponsoring county. We have lost personnel to both and the likelihood is for that trend to accelerate if the status quo remains.
The basic reason for our present circumstance is that the 18-19% contribution the college receives from Oneida County is well below the 33% that was intended when the community college system was first established. This inadequate county contribution has historically depressed our salary structure and works to insure that our tuition every year is at or very near the maximum allowed by SUNY and high tuition, if it has any effect on enrollment, probably influences it in a direction that we do not want.
Given all of this, if the college is to survive and prosper and continue to serve Oneida County in its unique and very significant way, the compensation picture for faculty and professional staff (truly the heart of this institution) must improve significantly and soon.
New Cooperations
Both Ellis and I left this meeting, which lasted over an hour, heartened by the County Executive’s reaction. There was no question that the salary comparisons we discussed startled him and that he could understand the concern we have for the future of MVCC if something is not done to close (and eventually erase) the sizable salary gap. He spoke of his desire for all institutions of higher education in the greater Utica area to cooperate in ways that have not yet even been considered and he asked for our help and support for such initiatives.
We, in turn, agreed to help wherever we could, at the same time pointing out the considerable skepticism that exists among our membership regarding the possibility that a genuine, mutually beneficial working relationship could truly exist between all area colleges. We pledged our support for initiatives he might propose and that are now in progress (i.e., the Millennium Project) just so long as we are true partners in these endeavors and they do not negatively impact our membership or MVCC.
Our read is that we have an ally in Mr. Eannace, but we must remember that decisions are not made by the executive alone and that our discussion must therefore continue with the legislative leaders of the county as well. We are in the process of arranging such meetings as you read this and our message will be the same. Like it or not, the name of the game is politics, and we must become and remain players.
Local Presidents Council
Last week Ellis and I also attended the monthly Oneida County NYSUT Local Presidents Council meeting. It served as a perfect opportunity for me to introduce Ellis to the NYSUT K-12 local presidents with whom I have worked during my time in office. They are a talented group whose support we most definitely have. In return, we as an organization and as individuals must stand ready to support our K-12 colleagues in our respective local communities.
To that end, I urge you to vote YES on school budget votes in your home communities this year and every year. Our success in achieving our goals will rest heavily on our ability to forge effective coalitions with other locals and organizations within the county so that we can begin to exert an influence on what happens here politically. Did you know that there are between 8,000 and 9,000 NYSUT members and retirees residing in Oneida County? Neither did we. That is a sizable block of voters whom we must begin to educate about our plight and then energize and mobilize. That work is beginning and will continue under Ellis’ leadership.
Just last week at the NYSUT Representative Assembly, Ellis had the opportunity to meet the presidents of all the NYSUT community college locals. They too have been an energetic and supportive resource for us in many matters. Some of them have expertise in trying to influence county government to better support their community college. This is expertise that we definitely need to develop and Ellis will surely work to facilitate our collective education. Ellis will also be seated as our new representative on the NYSUT Higher Education Council, which will be meeting prior to the RA (I spoke of this new group in a previous issue of PAnorama).
Membership Meeting Review
Lastly, if you were not at the General Membership meeting last week, you missed two things of note.
1) Budget Passed
First was Mike Donaruma’s excellent budget presentation. This year the E-Board, primarily Mike, rearranged the budget so that expenses (including stipends) and revenues are specifically assigned to the E-Board and the various standing committees. This will make it possible to better track expenses and revenues and should give us a clearer picture of our cash flow as we look to prepare future budgets. Mike says it was not a lot of work but that’s not my take on it. Thanks, Mike, for a terrific job.
2) Grievance Update
The second item was Dennis Rahn’s explanation of the status of the grievance that the Association previously filed regarding the College’s unilateral change in evaluation criteria and procedures. In a nutshell, we contend that such a change should be formally bargained and the College holds the opposite position. Rather than participate in informal discussions now with the College, with no assurance that our views will be honored, the Association has withdrawn its grievance, planning instead to deal with evaluation during the next round of formal bargaining. In the meantime, the Association neither encourages nor discourages individual members from providing feedback to the College about the evaluation process if asked.
4th Annual Ted Moore Run/Walk
And then there was the 4th Annual Ted Moore "None for the Road" Walk/Run on Sunday, April 29th. The only word to describe it is "success"! Great weather, increased participation, the inaugural for our new tee shirts with our new logo, and many PA members sporting the new shirts involved in all aspects of the event. Ted would have enjoyed every minute of the event. And I, and no doubt many others, was again reminded of how much I/we miss his presence and his spirit around here.
Well, I guess that does it.
Oh, by the way, just in case it hasn’t dawned on you: There is no longer a glass ceiling in the MVCC Professional Association. ‘Bout time!
Recent Education & Training events popular, successful: Financial Building Blocks and Defensive Driving
by Rob Ichihana
The PA Education and Training The Education and Training Committee has been busy! The two most recent activities organized by our Education and Training team were the NYSUT Financial Building Blocks Seminar and the Defensive Driving Program. Both events were popular and effective.
Financial Building Blocks
On Thursday, April 12th, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., NYSUT hosted a Financial Building Blocks seminar for PA members. The seminar covered the basics of personal and professional finances, focusing on several stages of one’s professional career (from new hire to retirement). The NYSUT representatives provided invaluable lessons in managing personal finances as well as a handy booklet of information and resources for NYSUT members.
Defensive Driving Program
On Saturday, April 28th, the PA sponsored the NYSUT Defensive Driving Program, a six-hour presentation that reviewed defensive driving techniques. Course completion resulted in a reduction in the base rate of auto liability and collision insurance premium at about 10% each year for a period of three years. Approximately 30 people took advantage of this PA-sponsored opportunity, including faculty, staff, and their dependents (about half of the participants were PA members). If you have ideas for future Education and Training activities, contact me in the Counseling Center.
Committee of 100 review
by Jean Wagner
As Chair of the Political Action Committee, I participated in the Committee of 100 day on March 19-20. We visited several NYS legislators’ offices while in Albany; in the photo at right, you can see me and other NYSUT members (mostly from K-12) in Dave Townsend’s office.
Our agenda was to lobby the state for increased resources for NYSUT locals, such as in the areas of financial support, recruitment/retention, support for special education, and mentor teacher programs.
I made clear that, often, we cannot recruit and keep new employees because of low pay, and when someone leaves it seems to take forever to replace them. It’s obvious that new people don't want to come here if they can't make an adequate wage. This negatively impacts our faculty and staff. They are now required to do the work of the person who has left.
Another problem occurs when we lose people who are responsible for the training of other employees. This causes us to fall behind. If we are not on the cutting edge of technology, then we are less able to compete with other educational institutions. If you are interested in being politically active on behalf of the PA, contact me in the Life Science Department.
Help Erase Hunger! PA participates in food drive
by Kathleen Salsbury
Help Erase Hunger!
PA participates in food drive
Tuesday, May 22 & Wednesday, May 23
The PA is collecting nonperishable food items* to assist The Community Food Bank of Greater Utica.
Collection boxes will be located near Summer Institute events (Benefits Fair, Payne Hall 1st Floor Lobby, and at the Luncheon) as well as in the Library. For more information, contact Kathleen Salsbury (x5482).
* canned meat/fruit/vegetables/soup and pasta, cereal, and rice
