SUNY colleges in Delhi and Oneonta will minimize the impact of state furloughs on students, who are on the cusp of final examinations and commencement, administrators said Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the union representing professors and other professional staff has filed a federal lawsuit against the state and taken other grievance actions.
On Monday, the Legislature passed an emergency budget measure that includes furloughs of one day a week for about 100,000 state employees starting Monday. Democratic Gov. David Paterson's emergency spending bill is meant to save $30 million a week.
Final exams at SUNY Oneonta are Thursday through Wednesday, and graduation is May 22.
"We are disappointed at the prospect of furloughs," Nancy Kleniewski, president of the State University College at Oneonta, said in a prepared statement Tuesday. "But we will not let them deter us from our commitment to our students. Classes, exams and commencement will proceed as scheduled, thanks to the efforts of so many in our campus community."
Many students were concerned about end-of-term activities and graduation, Student Association President Rick Heil said Tuesday. Heil said he was "very, very heartened" to hear plans are intact.
Kleniewski also expressed concern about the impact of furloughs on the "dedicated employees who work hard for our campus and our state."
"We will do all that we can, within guidelines from SUNY and New York state, to minimize the impact that furloughs have on our college and its employees," she said.
David Henahan, spokesman for the State University system, said SUNY is working with its 29 state-operated campuses, the governor's office and the state Division of the Budget to develop a plan for the furlough of its state employees.
"Furloughs are a reflection of the budget crisis facing New York state," he said in a prepared statement. "SUNY will comply with the legislation, and our first priority will be to protect our students."
Administrators at the Delhi campus await guidelines from SUNY administration about the furloughs, Joel Smith, spokesman at the State University College of Technology at Delhi, said Tuesday.
"We have seen very, very few details," Smith said. The matter was discussed Tuesday at Delhi President Candace Vancko's regularly scheduled cabinet meeting, which will be followed up with a special meeting today, he said.
Smith reiterated that the goal will be to minimize the impact of furloughs on students' final examination period next Monday through Friday and on commencement May 22.
More than 3,100 students are enrolled at SUNY Delhi, which has a student-faculty ratio of about 20 to one, according to the college's Fast Facts.
SUNY Oneonta has 251 full-time and 189 part-time faculty, according to the college's Fast Facts, and enrolls about 5,880 full- and part-time, undergraduate and graduate students.
At SUNY Oneonta, UUP chapter President William Simons said the local unit is "taking the lead from the state UUP."
"UUP is doing all it can to fight the furloughs," Simons said Tuesday in a prepared statement. "The furloughs are a breach of contract, and UUP will battle this injustice. UUP at Oneonta remains very concerned about our students, SUNY and the employees of the college."
On Tuesday, the UUP office in Albany said the union filed a lawsuit in federal court against the furloughs. UUP filed a request for a temporary restraining order as part of its lawsuit, seeking to block the furloughs from taking effect next week.
"We cannot stand idly by and let the governor unilaterally cut our members' salaries by 20 percent," UUP President Phillip H. Smith said in a prepared statement. "We should not be forced to bear the burden of the state's fiscal crisis nor be treated as the scapegoat."
The suit charges the furloughs are unconstitutional because they violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that prohibits states from passing legislation that impairs contract obligations, a media release from UUP said. The suit also alleges the furloughs call for unequal treatment under the law, directing most state employees to take an unpaid day off while exempting management confidential employees, legislators and the governor.
Smith said UUP is filing an improper practice charge with the Public Employment Relations Board. UUP charges the state is violating the Taylor Law requirement that the state must negotiate terms and conditions of employment.
UUP is also filing a grievance with SUNY charging that the furloughs violate four articles in UUP's current contract, including one that bars management from reducing members' salaries.
"The state does not have the authority to walk away from the contract and throw SUNY into turmoil at a time when faculty are giving final exams and grading papers," Smith said.
UUP represents 35,000 academic and professional faculty on 29 state-operated campuses.
Local News
SUNY schools plan for furloughs
SubHead
- Local News
-
-
DEP expands reservoir boating
CSS7BCA.jpg
MARGARETVILLE -- A successful pilot test at its Cannonsville Reservoir has led the DEP to announce an expansion of its boating program to three more sites.
-
On the Bright Side: Teachers, students shape up together with OMS program
Running, lifting, stretching and pushing physical limits are evoking smiles, laughter and feelings of success from students and teachers alike in the Oneonta Middle School gymnasium.
-
Reporter's Notebook: State police press website is full of gems
My daily review of the New York State Police news media website has revealed some gems lately.
-
Otsego Express adds new route with Arc's help
COOPERSTOWN -- A new Otsego Express bus route, using an 18-passenger vehicle owned by The Arc Otsego, has begun ferrying passengers from nine rural towns and hamlets and the town of Oneonta twice daily on weekdays.
-
State to veterans: Keep on trucking
COOPERSTOWN -- In a move aimed at making it easier for military veterans to land jobs, the state Department of Motor Vehicles is waiving road tests for those seeking a commercial driver's license if they have military experience operating a similar vehicle.
-
Milford dog euthanized after contact with rabid raccoon
COOPERSTOWN -- A dog in the town of Milford had to be euthanized after being bitten by a raccoon that has tested positive for rabies, the Otsego County Department of Health said Friday.
-
Sidney postpones gas moratorium vote
NetSummary
- Friday, February 10, 2012
-
Dogs seized from local kennel get love, food
COOPERSTOWN -- Dozens of allegedly neglected dogs seized from a Worcester kennel last month are getting love, attention, gourmet food and an outpouring of adoption offers now that they are in temporary foster homes.
-
Mortgage deal may ease area housing market
Several local realtors said the mortgage agreement announced Thursday could have an area impact.
-
Gilboa-Conesville students stress value of individuality
Tuesday was Mismatched Day at Gilboa-Conesville Central School, when students were invited to dress a bit crazily to display individuality.
-
Residents voice concerns over school funding cuts
WELLS BRIDGE -- More than 600 people attended a forum Thursday at Unatego High School at which three area legislators had a chance to hear concerns about cuts to state aid to education.
-
D.A.R.E. program returns to Oneonta schools
ONEONTA _ The city's D.A.R.E. program has been reborn.
-
Town to hold public hearing on gas drilling moratoriums
It's a case of dueling moratoriums.
- Thursday, February 9, 2012
-
HOF to host program on dangers of steroids
Students will be taught about the danger of performance-enhancing drugs through a national education and outreach program announced Wednesday by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown. The use of such drugs could affect upcoming balloting for several Hall of Fame candidates.
-
Area students trek globe with intersemester study program
Several Hartwick College students from the local area extended their studies from Oneonta to Costa Rica, England, Madagascar or South Africa during the college's J-Term.
-
Pacherille Jr. case now before third judge
COOPERSTOWN -- A third judge has taken over the case of local teenager Anthony Pacherille Jr., the former Cooperstown High School student serving an 11-year prison term after shooting an African-American classmate in April 2010.
-
Cooperstown hazing case arraignments postponed
HARTWICK -- Two of the five Cooperstown High School football players charged with harassing a teammate by giving him "the tunnel treatment" appeared in town court Wednesday as the alleged victim's father sat in the courtroom.
-
Oneonta school board looks at $2.4 million budget cut
The Oneonta City School District Board of Education had a preliminary look at some of the budget issues it faces, during its regular meeting held in the high school Wednesday.
-
Anti-fracking activist ends hunger strike
Anti-fracking activist Patrick McElligott of East Guilford, Chenango County, said Wednesday that he has ended the hunger strike he embarked upon in an effort to meet with a state senator who supports gas drilling.
- Wednesday, February 8, 2012
-
Baseball Hall reaching out to teach students
Students will be taught about the danger of performance-enhancing drugs, through a national education and outreach program announced today by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown. The use of such drugs could affect upcoming balloting for several Hall of Fame candidates.
-
