UUP Pay Hike Delayed . . . but not Long?

The four-year contract between the state and United University Professions, which capped two years of contact negotiations and was ratified on Sept. 19 by the union’s 21,000 members, was supposed to show up on the first or second paycheck of October.

It won’t, but apparently things could have been worse. Official appropriations were not made by the State Legislature before it convened its 1997 session. Under normal circumstances, until the Legislature met again, in 1998, the contract — which called for immediate lump-sum payments of $500 and $1,250, a one percent discretionary salary increase in December of this and the next two years, and across-the-board increases of 3.5 percent in January 1998 and January 1999 — could not be enforced.

Aides to Gov. George Pataki said on Sept. 30, however, that they were exploring all options to see if the lump-sum payments could be made without legislative action. According to UUP spokeswoman Peggy Barmore, a method to make such payment was found.

“The money should be in the last paycheck of October or the first one in November,” said Barmore, “and if the latter only because the Comptroller’s Office is instituting a new payroll computer system.” The University’s Payroll Office indicated the chances of lump sum increases in the last October paycheck are small.

The Albany campus currently has 1,121 UUP members.

Seeking More Outside Support

SUNY is significantly increasing efforts to raise contributions from alumni, corporations and foundations. About 50 campus professionals attended the first annual SUNY Fund Raisers Institute, “Making the Case for Major Gifts in SUNY,” at the College at Geneseo on Sept. 30.

“We’re signaling loud and clear this is a priority,” said Vice Chancellor Scott W. Steffey, who added that New York is home to many large corporations that understand “what an important contribution” SUNY makes.

“We think SUNY is a sleeping giant in terms of the potential to attract major gifts,” said Geneseo Vice President for College Relations and Development Arthur Hatton.

Hearing Welcomes Concerned Statements on SUNY

The Board of Trustees will conduct its semiannual public hearing at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the Large Courtroom of SUNY Plaza. The hearing is being held in conjunction with the October meeting of the Trustees. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony and statements from concerned individuals about University-wide issues only.

Persons wishing to present prepared testimony are asked to write to John J. O’Connor, Vice Chancellor and Secretary of the University, State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246; such communication to be received no later than noon on Oct. 27.

Letters should identify the subject of testimony and provide a telephone number and address to confirm a reserved place on the agenda. Such testimony will be limited to five minutes, and speakers will be asked to provide six copies of their written testimony on the day of the hearing. Persons wishing to make brief extemporaneous comments (no more than three minutes) are requested to file their names with the Hearing Registration officer on the day of the hearing. Time for such comments will be set aside at the end of the hearing and such persons will be called upon in the order in which they register.

Marburger May Headon Brookhaven Lab

John Marburger 3rd, a SUNY at Stony Brook physicist who served as campus President for 14 years, would head the Brookhaven National Laboratory if Stony Brook’s bid to manage the Long Island laboratory is selected by the U.S. Department of Energy. Stony Brook and Battelle Memorial Institute have submitted one of two bids to manage Brookhaven.

Campus Safety Bill Discussions Continue

Efforts to resolve differences over the campus safety legislation, also referred to as the campus police bill, are continuing with key members of the Assembly, in response to amendments which that house advanced during the last days of the regular 1997 session.

The key matter is the degree of discretion campus law enforcement personnel would have in exercising police jurisdiction in off-campus settings. It is apparent from discussions with legislative members, that some members believe that campus police with such authority would act independently of local police agencies. Many SUNY campus officials believe the level of training the campus law enforcement personnel receive and SUNY’s policy of requiring protocols between the campuses and the municipalities in the exercise of jurisdiction, precludes such excesses.

Some municipal police associations, however, have raised concerns with State legislators over the proposed legislation. SUNY Administration is now attempting to craft amendments which formalize the requirement for protocols but do not undercut the exercise of the proposed campus police authority in off campus settings.