Brooklyn College PSC-CUNY

In the Fall of 2023, we asked all departments or units to write and sign letters to the college President, Michelle Anderson. We wanted her to know what our colleagues do well. We wanted her to hear our vision for work and mission at Brooklyn College. We wanted her to understand what we all need to thrive. We wanted to model a mission-driven discourse, not a workplace lead by austerity.  We wanted our President to hear us. Professor Naomi Braine reads the Sociology Dept Letter Professor Jillian Cavanaugh reads the Anthropology Letter     Twelve letters, signed by 100s of our colleagues were submitted—although many more were penned (many felt uneasy about being visible in this way). 1) Synthesis letter signed by over 80 faculty and staff 2) Sociology Department , 26 signatures 3) Anthropology Department, 16 signatures 4) Accounting Department , 14 signatures 5) Library , 28 signatures 6) PRLS , 6 signatures 7) Psychology Department , 30 signatures 8) English Department , over 100 signat

     

 VRB March 31, 2023 This was our first VRB meeting after CUNY relaxed the guidelines on what had to be sent from the campuses to the CUNY central VRB. The new guidance allows lines/positions that are "revenue neutral" or "generate revenue." In some ways it really doesn't change much for us at BC. So far the VRB has forwarded more than 30 positions to Michelle, and she has only forwarded 3 to CUNY central VRB and approved another 3 locally. This week, we reviewed 19 positions. About half of them can be approved locally the other half will have to be approved by Michelle and then sent to CUNY VRB.  Undergrad Admissions- 1 Feirstein School of Cinema-4 Comptroller-2 Public Safety-3 Purchasing-1 Facilities- 5 Financial Aid-2  Provost Office/Community Garden- 1 I will not be in attendance for the two VRB meetings during Spring Break. 

VRB March 23, 2023   Today the VRB reviewed two full time, permanent positions for ITS. Both were approved unanimously and moved forward to Michelle.     Michelle moved one position (admissions) to central CUNY VRB.  

VRB March 17, 2023   This week we reviewed 14 applications, all were unanimously moved forward to Michelle:     2 in admissions 1 faculty position in Accounting (replacement) 1 aHEO position in Biology (replacement) 1 distinguished lecturer in Feirstein (replacement) 1 CLT in Film (replacement)   1 faculty position in Library (replacement) 1 CLT Trem (replacement) 2 CA part time in Central Depository (replacement) 1 CA part time Fierstein (replacement) 1 part time Classified position in Student Affairs (replacement) 2  part time theater technicians (replacement)     2 staff positions from March 7 were approved by the CUNY central VRB (communications and library).      

Today the VRB reviewed 3 full-time positions in personal counseling (retirement + expiration of federal funding), 3 part time (CA) positions in personal counseling (no new money here, just moving people around), and one staff position in student financial affairs.  The committee was almost unanimous in forwarding these to President Anderson. One person recommended 2 instead of three psychologists.     President Anderson only forwarded two (communications and library) of the five positions approved on March 3 to the VRB. She is holding the other positions and seeing what comes to her on March 10. She will be forwarding applications to CUNY VRB on a weekly basis.     What has become clear in this process is that all of these positions are critical to maintaining the basic operating necessities of the College.  

Today the VRB reviewed 6 proposals. Two from facilities (replacement plumbers), one staff position for the library, one full time professor position in PRLS, a staff position in communications for the website, and more hours for a CA in disability services. The committee unanimously voted to forward all to President Anderson.  

 Dear Brooklyn College Community, As Chapter Chair of our union I think it is important to be in constant communication during this latest budget crisis. From my perspective this crisis is somewhat manufactured, somewhat real. On the one hand, we have seen the largest year over year budgets for CUNY (past two years) in over 20 years. On the other hand, CUNY remains chronically underfunded. At the same time, CUNY has over 100 million dollars in reserve, yet they are implementing austerity measures. Nothing about this is inevitable, but we need to be prepared to push back, and push back hard.  Rather than sending too many emails, I will be writing weekly updates on the meetings of the Vacancy Review Board on our chapter's blogspot. As most of you know, CUNY implemented a hiring freeze at the beginning of February. This means that all approved positions will go to a CUNY Central Vacancy Review Board. CUNY asked the campuses to institute their own Vacancy Review Boards (VRB), essential