Call to Action for a Safe Spring 2022 |
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With an exceedingly high number of students, faculty, and staff testing positive for COVID-19 over the past several weeks, severe staffing shortages at SBU Hospital with over 900 employees testing positive, and in conjunction with the staggering rate of transmission of the omicron variant among both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, chapter leadership will present the following demands to management:
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1. Delay the start of spring semester by one week. The remarkable rise in the rates of Omicron spread may peak in the next several weeks. It is likely that even a one week delay would put us in a stronger and safer position.
2. Mandate that all students, employees and visitors wear well fitting KN95, N95 or KF94 masks in all public indoor locations on campus. The administration should be responsible for enforcement and should distribute such masks to all personnel. Signage reflecting this requirement should be placed throughout the campus.
3. Continue to require that those under mandatory quarantine present a negative covid test prior to returning to campus. Lateral flow (rapid home) tests on two consecutive days should be required. The administration should procure and distribute such test kits to those in need, and/or should reimburse for their purchase.
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4. UUP members who have dependents under mandatory quarantine should be given the flexibility to work remotely if they are able and offered paid leave if they are unable. This is an issue of human decency, and also of equity as caregiving disproportionately falls on women and people of color.
5. Course instructors are in the best position to determine, in consultation with their chair, when a class should temporarily switch to remote delivery based on number of absences, or the instructors own health or caregiving circumstances. When an instructor is unable to attend in person because of mandatory quarantine for themselves or a dependent, their class should go online temporarily assuming the instructor is able to teach remotely. Sourcing replacement instruction for 1-2 weeks (or longer) is not feasible given the level of workload creep that our members are experiencing. Such temporary changes in course delivery are within the distance learning flexibility granted for this year by the NYS DOE.
6. We ask for a more robust investment in the infrastructure to handle COVID cases, including more timely responses from the health information line and campus contact tracers. Updates to the COVID dashboard need to occur daily, should include counts from off campus testing, and data for each day of testing. Members need to be able to report positive test results in a timely fashion and they need to receive a prompt response with information about how a positive test result impacts participation in on-campus activities and surveillance testing.
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We encourage you to
review UUP Statewide's
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COVID-19 Health & Safety Updates |
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UPDATED Intersession (1/3-1/21) Testing Schedule in SAC Ballroom B: Wednesdays and Thursdays: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
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The UUP office has purchased a limited amount of KN95 masks for members who are in need of one. Please reply to this email to arrange a time to pick up your free mask at our Chapter Office. Limit one per member.
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UUP employees can receive paid time off for COVID-related absences:
- COVID Vaccine (COV) - Up to one half day per dose to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, boosters included
- Mandatory Quarantine (MQU) - Directed by your Healthcare provider, Department of Health or Employee/Student Health
- Precautionary Quarantine (PQU) - Advised by a Healthcare provider, Department of Health or Employee/Student Health
Contact the Health Information Line (HIL) at (631) 632-5000 for guidance.
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Discretionary Increases & Salary Compression/Inversion |
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Today’s paycheck contains both Salary Compression/Inversion adjustments and Discretionary, Merit-Based increases retroactive
to July or September depending on obligation.
We are distributing an electronic Salary Compression Intake Form to gather information from members who have questions or concerns related to the 2021 salary compression adjustments. If you have specific questions about your unique situations and the data points that were used for them in the campus analysis, please contact Human Resource Services at (631) 632-6156.
Information received from this intake form will be used to assist UUP in identifying issues that may require review and discussion with SUNY at both the campus and state levels.
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Welcome to Our New Chapter Treasurer, Tiffany Friedman!
I am looking forward to serving in the role as Treasurer for UUP. As a Senior Academic Advisor/Counselor for EOP who serve students and discuss their financial needs, I feel this position is a great fit for me. I now have the opportunity to be in a leadership role and serve the union. Thank you for your support.
~Tiffany Friedman, MSEd
Many thanks to our prior Treasurer, Jennifer Jokinen for all of her hard work!
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Individual Development Awards (IDA) |
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IDA Enrollment Period Coming Soon!
The New York State/United University Professions’ Joint Labor-Management Committees (NYS/UUP JLMC) 2021 - 2022 Individual Development Awards (IDA) Program application period will open on January 19, 2022.
This funding is intended to assist eligible UUP-represented employees (full and part-time) in developing their full professional potential and in preparing for advancement. The activities period covered by this award is July 2, 2021 - July 1, 2022.
Stay tuned for more information in our upcoming announcements.
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Spring 2022 Chapter Meetings |
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Executive Board Meetings:
Membership Meetings:
Click on the meeting to RSVP
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Suicide Prevention Workshop
January 10th @ 12-1pm
Are you interested in learning how to recognize and respond to a suicidal crisis? UUP is pleased to partner with Healthier U, to offer a virtual QPR training for suicide prevention.
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QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer - the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help prevent a suicide. After completing QPR you will:
- Know some of the causes of suicidal behavior
- Recognize warning signs that someone needs help
- Connect people with appropriate mental health care
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Pre-Retirement Workshop
Retirement planning can be complex, especially with Medicare. That is why UUP offers pre-retirement workshops on a regular basis, covering a range of topics. All members are encouraged to attend.
Healthcare and Medicare
Tuesday, January 11 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Dental and Vision Benefits
Thursday, January 13 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
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Click here to register for the upcoming pre-retirement virtual workshops.
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2022 UUP College Scholarship Competition
Up to four one-time scholarships of $3,000 are awarded annually to SUNY undergraduates who demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, social justice issues and labor ideals.
The application deadline is March 1, 2022.
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2022 UUP William Scheuerman Post Baccalaureate Scholarship
This one-time scholarship of $3,000 is awarded annually to full-time SUNY post graduate or professional school students who demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, social justice issues and labor ideals.
The application deadline is March 1, 2022.
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Did you receive gift cards this holiday season that you know you won't use? Do you have any gift cards that have taken up space in your wallet for years?
By donating unused or partially used gift cards to the FAST Fund, you will support our undergraduate students in need.
Gift cards may be mailed or dropped off to the UUP chapter office in the Melville Library, Room S-5415 (Z=3388)
The FAST Fund provides emergency funds to SBU undergraduates and is managed by UUP Stony Brook Center Campus Chapter.
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Questions and Referrals
Online contributions
Like us on Facebook!
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General Inquiries?
Phone and Zoom appointments are available with Chapter leadership by request. Please call or email the Chapter Assistant, Diana Tischler to set one up @ 631-632-6570 or westchapter@uupsbu.org
Problems on the Job?
Questions, concerns or just general inquiries related to problems on the job happen year round. Call or send an email with any questions or concerns you may have.
Jennifer Jokinen, Professional Grievance Officer
Josh Dubnau, Academic Grievance Officer
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Questions?
For assistance with diversity, equity & inclusion issues or questions, and/or if you are interested in celebrating the vast diversity of our campus community, contact our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer or the chapter office, 631-632-6570.
Joseph Pierce, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
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Do you have an announcement that you would like us to add??
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Contact the UUP Office: 631-632-6570
Questions, Concerns, Comments?
Contact the Communications Committee at communications.committee@uupsbu.org
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UUP Stony Brook Center Campus Chapter. If you no longer wish to receive these types of messages, please unsubscribe via the link provided below and your campus email will be removed from future mailings.
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