March
2001
Dear
Colleague:
The
PSC has developed this comprehensive budget for CUNY to be used by our members
and friends to help set a new course for our university. This document, a first for the PSC, tells the true story of
CUNY’s defunding and the need for New York State and City to reinvest in CUNY.
We present a three-year plan to rebuild the university and to restore
professional working conditions for the instructional staff and access for our
students.
This
budget document is the result of much consultation with our members, Delegate
Assembly Representatives, and members of the University Faculty Senate Budget
Advisory Committee. In some areas,
we join with the CUNY Board of Trustees in their budget requests, but we also go
beyond CUNY’s request and focus on the priorities expressed by our members.
The PSC’s budget for CUNY and the union’s contract demands, already
mailed to you, spell out a detailed program to renew CUNY.
Our
budget request recognizes that CUNY’s foundation is crumbling from years of
neglect and that bold action is needed to support the union’s vision for a
great university. We call for a 12%
increase over last year’s adopted budget or a $165 million increase.
The union’s budget will:
· Rebuild its full-time faculty and staff;
· Fund classroom modernization and academic achievement, including research, travel funds, graduate fellowships and tuition remission;
· Guarantee quality by assuring student access to part-time faculty who are paid for consultation hours;
· Support junior faculty and diversity programs;
· Enhance economic development programs;
·
Make CUNY affordable for our students.
We
hope this budget booklet will help you prepare for Teach CUNY Day on March 28th.
Also, the booklet contains the basic information needed to spread the
word about CUNY to elected officials and community leaders.
Please, call and/or write both your state assembly member and senator
expressing the urgency for a 12% budget increase for CUNY.
Focusing on budget items that resonate with your experience generally is
most effective. The PSC website (www.psc-cuny.org)
contains a model letter and information on how to contact your legislator.
Help us get your legislators to become part of the 12% for CUNY Club.
In Solidarity,
Steve
London
PSC First Vice President