chronicles congressthe4cs.wp-responsive.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2014/... · 2015-09-15 ·...

Looking Ahead & Reflecting on the Past...

Retreat to Move Ahead...Back to the Future!June 25 & 26, 2015 • Interlaken Inn, Lakeville, CT

Twenty-one 4Cs leaders and staff gathered at the end of June to determine how to make our union a more vibrant and inclusive organization.

The retreat was planned after the election of a new 4Cs leadership team including President Bryan Bonina (TxCC), Treasurer Tony Scott (NCC), Membership Officer Jonathan Morris (MCC), and Vice President for Part-timers Raymon Esponda (GCC). The new officers join returning officers Lorraine Li (GCC, Vice President for Faculty; Maureen Chalmers (NWCC), Vice President for CCPs; Robyn Brooks (TxCC), Vice President for Part-timers; Stephen Krevisky (MxCC), Secretary; and William Foster (NVCC), Diversity Officer. President Bonina wanted to share his vision for transforming the 4Cs, discuss ideas, and brainstorm about the upcoming collective bargaining.

Helping to facilitate the retreat were SEIU’s Kurt Edelman and former 4Cs staff member Susan Wasstrom. Susan, an organizational consultant, is currently working for SEIU 1199 in New York City and was instrumental in helping the 4Cs identify goals and a plan to achieve those goals. Kurt, a member of SEIU’s Public Services Division, presented on recent successful collective bargaining campaigns in other states.

Continued on page 4

President Bryan Bonina summarizes 4Cs objectives and goals from the retreat break out sessions.

NEWS FROM CONGRESS OF CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY COLLEGES • SUMMER 2015 SEIU LOCAL 1973ChroniclesCongress

The 4Cs logo contest this past Spring generated approximately sixty submission from our members and students.(Page 5)

...renewing enthusiasm for the 4Cs is long overdue, and it’s crucial now as we begin negotiations this fall. (Page 3)

Left to right: Maureen Chalmers (NWCC) 4Cs VP for CCPs; Jonathan Morris (MCC) 4Cs Membership Officer; Sandra Barnes (HCC); Trent Wright (MxCC); Lauren Clarke (CCC); Kimberly Small (4Cs Office Manager); and Ray Esponda (GCC) 4Cs VP for Part-timers.

As a new 4Cs administration begins to shape our Union, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the progress...(Page 8)

OFFICERSBryan Bonina

PresidentSteve Krevisky

Secretary

Tony Scott Treasurer

Lorraine Li Vice President from Teaching Faculty

Maureen Chalmers Vice President from ACLs

Robyn Brooks Vice President from Part-Timers

Ramon Esponda Vice President from Part-Timers

Jonathan Morris Membership Officer

William Foster Diversity Officer

Steve Cohen Presidential Aide

Tom Jackson Grievance Officer

Vacant Political Director

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRSDiversity & Inclusion: TBD

Finance: Sue MontezMembership: TBD

Part-Time: TBDPolitical Action: Anson Smith

CONGRESS STAFF Organizing: Dave Bosco, Bob Reutenauer

Communications: Ellen BensonAdministration: Kimberly Small

Legislative Director: Robert Fernandez

907 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford, CT 06114phone: 860.296.5172 • fax: 860.296.6219e-mail: [email protected] • web: the4cs.org

Editor: Ellen BensonGraphic Design: Brooks Design

Stay Engaged with the 4Cs!What’s on the 4Cs Facebook Page?• Media Articles of Interest - Be the first to hear what’s

being said about our members, colleges, and students in the press

• Photos - See photos from 4Cs actions and events• Coming Soon - Polls, This Day in Labor History,

Throwback Thursday

Follow the 4Cs on Twitter• Legislators and the Media are on Twitter - Follow us

and retweet to share news of interest • Live Tweeting - Can’t attend an event but don’t want to

wait? Follow our tweets of live events• National Campaigns - The 4Cs has joined in national

campaigns using Twitter. Find out what we are saying!

Check out the 4Cs YouTube Channel!• Webinars - How to Apply for Tenure • 4Cs Videos - Long term care discussion, ARP to

Hybrid Conversion• Coming Soon - Links to other videos of interest for our

members, including documentary films and discussions of higher education issues

Mark Your Calendars! Important Dates...

What You Can Find on the 4Cs Website• Contact Info - 4Cs leadership & staff• Forms & Documents - Membership form, Part-Time

Lecturers Pool form, agendas, minutes & more• Contracts & Benefits - Contracts including wage grids,

overview of health and pension benefits with links for more details

• Coming Soon - Issue campaigns & In the News

September 7 (Monday)Labor DaySeptember 8 (Tuesday)10:00 am: 4Cs Retirees MeetingSeptember 12 (Saturday)9:00 am: Part-Timers Meeting10:00 am: Delegate Assembly MeetingSeptember 17 (Thursday)4:00 pm: Tunxis Chapter MeetingSeptember 21 (Monday)5:00 pm: Hartford Candidate’s Forum

October 1 (Thursday)Important Contract Date• Promotion • Tenure • EvaluationsOctober 3 (Saturday)10:00 am: Delegate Assembly MeetingOctober 12 (Monday)Columbus Day (regional holiday)October 13 (Tuesday)10:00 am: 4Cs Retirees MeetingOctober 13 (Tuesday)4:00 pm: Tunxis Chapter Meeting

Congress Chronicles

SEIU LOCAL 1973

Congress Chronicles • Summer 2015 3

The4Cs.org • Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges • SEIU 1973

From the PresidentAs you read this issue of the Congress Chronicles you will notice big changes are underway! The 4Cs is undergoing a period of transformation. We have new leaders, a new Constitution, a new logo, and most importantly, a new direction resulting from our retreat in June.

We’re also transforming our Hartford facility. Offices are being moved around to make room for two new staff. And the large conference room is being redesigned and both conference rooms are being refitted with new technology to allow for video conferencing.

Renewing enthusiasm for the 4Cs is long overdue, and it’s crucial now as we begin negotiations this fall. We need to negotiate as a unified, strong organization. With more than 1,300 responses to the contract survey, a great team of leaders, new staff coming on board to serve you better, and many eager and qualified members who want to be at the negotiating table, we are ready to implement our plan strategically.

Saturday, September 12 is the first Delegate Assembly meeting of the 2015-2016 academic year. There will be good food for attendees to enjoy and lots to discuss. You do not have to be an elected leader to attend; all members are welcome. Please join us in our Hartford office at 907 Wethersfield Avenue starting at 10 a.m.

One final important point: our union is nothing without dedicated staff to carry out the day-to-day operations. We are so fortunate to have an amazing team to help us. I want to personally recognize their amazing talents and commitment to the 4Cs and all of the members we serve. Thank YOU so much for helping me during this transition!

In solidarity,

“As your 4Cs President, I pledge to be a courageous, consistent, confident, curious, courteous, compassionate, creative, civil, card carrying union colleague. My leadership style will always

be centered, considerate, collaborative, collegial, caring,

and based on communication that informs, cooperation that yields positive results, and recognition

to celebrate all that we do.”

• More than a dozen years as a 4Cs chapter steward & delegate.

• Eight years as the 4Cs statewide Organizational Affairs Officer.

• Experienced planner, organizer, and problem solver.

• Don’t have all the answers, but I ask lots of questions, and I’m willing to ask for help.

• Self-educated, creative, determined, intuitive, idealistic, and pragmatic.

• Discerning, inquisitive, honest, and friendly.

• A hard-working scrapper from the Boston burbs!

Bryan R. Bonina

Stay Engaged with the 4Cs!

Contract Negotiations Will Begin in the Fall!

The 4Cs is actively preparing for negotiations using the results from a survey that sought members’ input from May to August. Your voice is essential and important. There is still the opportunity to participate if you were away for the summer! Chapter meetings will occur in early fall to discuss the results of the survey and gather feedback. Please plan to attend!

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4 Congress Chronicles • Summer 2015

Retreat to Move Ahead... (Continued from pg. 1) Questions Adressed at the 4Cs June Retreat:

Transforming the 4Cs

The following is a list of actions that were a result of the retreat. • Every new bargaining unit member

should receive a packet of information from the union about our contract, benefits, and the 4Cs union. The receipt of these packets should be followed up with personal one-on-one contact by a chapter leader or member.

• The 4Cs would like to offer our students internships. For example, students could help design newsletters, write articles, produce videos, or work on our database.

• The union would like to sponsor student social justice clubs on the campuses.

• The 4Cs would like to provide more opportunities for two-way communication between the 4Cs leadership and membership such as surveys and polls.

• The union will encourage contested elections for union offices.

• The 4Cs will combine old and new methods of communication, such as preparing printed materials and supplementing them with social media campaigns.

Contract Negotiations

The second day of the retreat focused on preparing for upcoming contract negotiations. We viewed case studies of successful contract campaigns of other SEIU unions, such as in California.We discussed efforts to engage the membership in our contract campaign, such as increasing the response rate to our contract negotiations survey, encouraging participation in chapter meetings to discuss the results of the survey, and asking for participation on the contract negotiations teams.Finally, we created a timeline for actions that will assist us as we move forward into negotiations. When asked at the end of the retreat how people felt about the work achieved, the responses varied from “empowered” to “overwhelmed with the amount of work we are facing.” Please consider joining a 4Cs committee and getting involved in your Chapter. Your support and help is needed with implementing these ambitious changes. We look forward to working with each of you over the months ahead!

• How can the 4Cs become a more vibrant, inclusive organization?

• How can we cultivate unrecognized, creative, and talented 4Cs members?

• How can we connect local and state 4Cs leaders with national SEIU leaders?

• How can we build a member-centered focus built on inclusion and recognition of personal and professional contributions?

• How can we build strong coalitions that will mutually benefit the 4Cs and our coalition partners?

• What projects and events can we sponsor that will engage members and help the 4Cs promote positive change?

We Are The System’s TransformersAt its May meeting, the Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC) presented a report to the BOR about the votes of no confidence that had taken place at the colleges and universities. About 50 faculty and staff from the Community Colleges and CSUs attended to support the FAC presentation, many wearing shirts that read “Whereas” on the front and “Be It Resolved” on the back.

Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges • SEIU 1973 • The4Cs.org


SEIU 1973 • Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges

New 4Cs Logo Designed by Tunxis Student

The 4Cs held a contest this past spring to re-design our logo. The contest was open to all 4Cs members and students of the Connecticut Community College system. The winner of the contest and the $500 prize was Sabin Shrestha, a student at Tunxis. Shrestha, a native of Katmandu, Nepal, was selected from those submitted by 44 contestants. He will donate his $500 prize to victims of the April Nepal earthquake.“The 4Cs was delighted to offer this opportunity for community college students around the state to demonstrate their creativity and achieve recognition in the process,” said 4Cs President Bryan R. Bonina. “The contestants’ enthusiasm for the competition was matched only by the enthusiasm of the members of the contest committee as they assessed and critiqued each entry.” “Creating a logo that is used by a statewide organization gives Shrestha a unique credential to present to prospective employers,” said Bonina, who is a graphic designer at Tunxis. “It shows that he has the proven ability to work as a professional in the field.”Shrestha’s logo consists of the legend “The 4Cs,” with the crossbar of the “4” morphing into a white hand reaching for a blue hand extending from the “S.” “The hands,” he said, “are a symbol of coming together, of unity and solidarity.”

The use of the colors is significant. “Blue is a color of the sky, the sea and the horizon,” Shrestha said. They represent the limitless opportunities that higher education offers and the limitless contributions that students can make to society as they develop into career-oriented graduates and public-minded citizens. “Orange is a color of creativity,” he said, “a trait valued in many professions. Viewed in another light, the blue and white hands can also symbolize unity that encompasses diversity.” For Shrestha, the hands can also symbolize the helping hand he’s extended to victims of the April earthquake, which killed more than 15,000 people and injured more than 23,000. Hundreds of thousands of people were left homeless and entire villages flattened. His family lost its home in the quake, while his sister lost her home as well.Shrestha has gone the proverbial extra mile for the earthquake victims. Not only did he donate his $500 award

to them, he added another $300 of his own funds to the contribution, as well as $200 he collected in a fund drive at the Shish Kebob House in West Hartford, where he works. In addition, he set up a sign outside the Tunxis library urging people to contribute and providing links to organizations raising funds for the earthquake victims.Although an associate-degree student, the 28-year-old Shrestha is no stranger to graphic design. He worked as a graphic

designer for eight years in his native Nepal. He entered the logo contest, he said, because he felt that, with his experience, he could win the contest.Shrestha credits 4Cs Vice President for Part-timers and Tunxis instructor Robyn Brooks of Burlington for providing direction and support in entering the competition. “She was good for me,” Shrestha said. “She gave me encouragement in all my projects, including entering the contest.”“She was that way with everyone,” he added. “She encouraged them to excel and to succeed.” Shrestha, who came to the U.S. two years ago, expects to graduate from Tunxis next year. His goal is to move directly into a graphic design position.


Left to Right: Presenting $500 check are Ellen Benson, Communications Director, Sabin Shrestha, logo winner, Robyn Brooks, Visual Communications Instructor (TXCC) and VP from Part Timers, and Bryan Bonina, President

By Anson Smith



Riccardo (CCC), Michael Amouzou (MxCC), Rob Lavin (TXCC) and Liz Pisaretz (NCC) attended an IGNITE conference to “spark” leadership in St. Louis in April. SEIU unveiled new trainings in “worker power” and the “low wage economy.”

These trainings were further developed and unveiled at an SEIU Conference in Boston in July, which was attended by President Bryan Bonina and Office Manager Kimberly Small. Another staff member, Bob Reutenauer, was a presenter at the conference.

“The training was fabulous,” said Kimberly Small, Office Manager for the 4Cs. “There was a presentation on the role of unions throughout history, and they grew out of a similar economy where corporations were looking to cut costs at the expense of their workers. Unions are vital in protecting the rights of workers.”

United Association for Labor Education (UALE) Summer School for Union & Labor WomenSummer schools provide a unique, rigorous, and immersive experience, one suited to the best innovations of the current labor movement. 2015 marked the 40th year for this conference for the Northeast Region.

The themes, topics, workshops and panels speak to the urgency for gender equality in leadership, solidarity, and movement-building creativity in labor education.

Minati Roychoudhuri (CCC) attended the conference in Chicago.

“The plenary session address by Ms. Al-Jen-Poo was one of the highlights of the conference,” stated Minati. “Ms. Poo focused on the power of collective bargaining and

SEIU ActivitiesSEIU 2020 ConnecticutOver the summer, all of the SEIU locals in Connecticut gathered to

discuss strategic planning for the upcoming five years. While the introductory session was organized

to share information and provide an overview of the situation and problem, the 4Cs had a head start since many of the same problems were presented at our retreat in June and plans are already underway to change how we operate.

A work group is being formed that will spend more dedicated time on strategic planning for the future of SEIU in Connecticut.

IGNITE in St. Louis and BostonSEIU sponsors training opportunities, and we had several members and staff take advantage of these union conferences in the spring. Several members including Josiah

of organizing labor beginning at the grassroot levels all the way to the top. Active participation in community-level work, such as seeking election in local initiatives was one aspect she stressed.”

“It was a learning experience in every way,” added Minati, “attending classes on social justice, going to the Pullman Museum, and learning the history of the labor movement was an experience in itself.”

Left to right: Josiah Ricardo (CCC), Rob Lavin (TxCC), Liz Pisaretz (NCC), Michael Amouzouz (MxCC), and Bob Reutenauer (4Cs Organizer) attend an IGNITE Conference in Missouri

From Left to Right: Femi Bogle-Assegai (CCC), Marcia Clark (CCC), and Waynette Arnum (CCC) attend the 2015 AFRAM National Conference in Detroit. Our 4Cs members hope to spearhead an AFRAM chapter in Connecticut.

2015 AFRAM National Leadership ConferenceThe National Leadership Development Conference was held in mid-April in Detroit. Over 5,000 individuals participated including three from our chapter, Waynette Arnum (CCC), Femi Bogle-Assegai (CCC), and Marcia Clark (CCC).

“This conference gives SEIU members of African descent an opportunity to network, renew old acquaintances, develop new friendships and devise strategies on how we can increase our contributions to the goals of our



Above left: David Pinsonneault of the SEIU Faculty Forward Campaign and John Mueller (right) in graduation garb, Adjunct Faculty (MCC) at the April 15 rally. John served as a speaker at the event which took place on the steps of the State Capitol.

union and positively influence our communities,” stated Marcia Clark. “As leaders, African Americans must re-double our efforts to increase our influences socially, politically, educationally and economically to improve the quality of life for ourselves and all Americans. We must encourage each other to “Build a Sustainable Movement, not a Moment.”

The three attendees from the 4Cs returned energized and are planning to start an AFRAM chapter within Connecticut soon.

Faculty ForwardOn April 15, faculty and staff in support of SEIU’s Faculty Forward joined with our fast food and childcare worker brothers and sisters to fight for a living wage.

Over the last 35 years, top administrators’ pay increased at three times the rate of faculty. According to SEIU, two-thirds of instructional faculty are now non-tenure track. One in four families of part-time faculty are on one or more types of public assistance, and 22% of part-time faculty earn less than the federal poverty level. Further, part-time faculty are often not afforded job security, benefits, or even office space.

In Connecticut, about 15 community college faculty, staff, and students joined with other workers at the State Capitol for a rally in support of the Fight for 15. One of our members, John Mueller (MCC), spoke about the struggle to obtain enough courses to make a living wage each year.

April 15 was just the beginning of

this campaign. SEIU, both nationally and locally, will continue our fight on behalf of adjunct faculty and other workers who are not earning a living wage. Many of those low-wage workers attend our community colleges and need our help.

One positive outcome that has resulted from the proposed Transform CSCU 2020 plan is enhanced collaboration between faculty and staff of the twelve colleges.

“The Connecticut Community College Academic Leadership (CCCAL) began in the fall of 2014 when CSCU President Gray invited leaders of the community college governance bodies to a series of meetings about the ‘Transform’ proposal,” stated Barbara Richards (HCC), an elected member of the BOR Faculty Advisory Committee.

“Some of the people attending those meetings decided to meet separately, without President Gray, and invited

the Community College members of the Faculty Advisory Committee and the presidents of the 4Cs and other Community College unions to attend. That combined group met about once a month in 2015. It made recommendations to the governance bodies on the campuses, including to approve a document on the academic imperative and to vote no confidence in President Gray. Each campus governance body decided whether to vote on the recommendations, and many supported them.”

In June, the organization met and formally changed their name to the Community College Governance Association (CCGA). At that meeting,

New Governance Association Formed Out of Necessitythey drafted a constitution and bylaws, which included a mission statement. They are planning to meet early in the fall semester for final approval of the bylaws and election of officers.

“The purpose and structure of the organization will be spelled out more fully when the bylaws are finalized,” said Barbara. “Its primary purpose is to enhance communication among the Community College governance bodies and other relevant organizations involved in CSCU and make recommendations to the campuses. The structure allows governance bodies on the campuses (either faculty, staff, or both) to have one vote at the CCGA. The meetings will be open to all faculty and staff.


As a new 4Cs administration begins to shape our Union, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the progress our new leaders will

build upon as they continue to move our organization forward. While errors, glitches, defeats and member disenchantment are the norm in any organized labor group’s history, the upward trajectory of the last eight years is briefly summarized here:• Transparency and accountability brought to the 4Cs budget process and ALL financial dealings• A bookkeeper brought in to assist with financial record keeping • Concession Agreements that provided unprecedented job security and later resulted in wage increases• Financial stewardship resulting in multi-year “dues holiday” periods

• A new Hybrid retirement plan, with the SAG award still awaiting IRS approval• A roughly 5% increase in SERS/Hybrid retirement benefits for all participants • Two Constitution revisions• Grievance resolutions expedited • A Nursing/Allied Health reopener completed, which won a variety of improvements, including an entire new wage scale• A Distance Learning reopener defeat on wages, that did at least confirm and protect the use of additional responsibilities for compensation purposes• Compensation awarded to chapter officers for their efforts• New activism and involvement promoted, especially among part-timers• Mending of relationships with our community college union coalition partners (AFSCME + AFT) and the

broadening of our relationships to include our new CSCU partners (AAUP and SUOAF)• Relationships developed with various organizations that share our vision for a better and more equal nation, based on the expansion of the American Dream• The development of a first-class lobbying program, beneficial to our members, to our students, and to our various allies• New 4Cs staff, technology, and data management procedures• Paper statewide election ballots replaced with electronic voting• E-News, electronic newsletters, and social media updates• An increase in the number of sabbatical leaves granted each year

The future is bright for our Union. Let’s meet it together.

The Past Eight Years as Prologue

Searches are underway for two new staff positions at the 4Cs: an Internal Union Organizer and a Political Organizer. The Internal Union Organizer will join David Bosco and Bob Reutenauer who regularly interpret contract language, investigate and process members grievances, and lead contract enforcement activities. Other responsibilities include engaging, identifying, recruiting, and

4Cs to Add Staff to Serve You Even Better!developing worksite leaders. They are also expected to lead and conduct trainings, meetings, and other events vital to the active work of a college campus union chapter. The new Political Organizer’s responsibilities will include recommending to the union leadership a vision for a strategic legislative advocacy program. In addition, the Polticial Organizer will build and maintain relationships

By Steve Cohen, Immediate Past President

with Connecticut legislators of all political persuasions; Connecticut state officials; SEBAC, SEIU, and other unions; plus this individual will coordinate lobbying activities with organized labor, student, community, non-profit, and other groups with whom our union shares common interests.The Internal Organizer is expected to start in September and the Political Organizer will join us in October.



SEIU Launches #PriceWePay CampaignWhen college students and faculty return this fall, they won’t just confront last-minute class changes or where to park. They will be taking on a business model in higher education that is costing everyone plenty. In back-to-school events, demonstrations and coordinated online activity, faculty and students across the country will highlight the price we all pay when colleges act like corporations.The dramatic shift away from investment in educators and affordable, accessible higher education for students has been accompanied by a move toward a big-business model that affects all of us. Forty-seven states are spending less on public higher education than they were in 2008. Tuition increases at both public and private universities mean more students are increasingly saddled with crushing debt that could take a lifetime to get out from under. At the same time, for-profit colleges and universities continue to prey on low-income students, delivering poor quality at outrageously high costs that have fueled the growing student debt crisis.A long simmering crisis in higher education is boiling over because colleges are acting more like big corporations and we are all paying the price. • FOR PARENTS – it’s the price they pay for skyrocketing tuition that’s not being spent to educate students. • FOR STUDENTS – it’s the spiraling amount of debt that could hold them back for years to come. But students also pay a price when professors teach without job security, regular office hours, or fair pay. • FOR FACULTY – their profession is suffering because politicians and administrators at colleges and universities are finding ways to cut back on salaries, tenure and funding. • FOR TAXPAYERS – subcontracting and agreements with for-profit colleges are channeling funds for public education into companies with a record of bad outcomes.Faculty and students are uniting in this new movement to: • re-focus university and college resources on student learning; • ensure that all faculty receive proportionate and fair compensation by establishing a national minimum total compensation standard of $15,000/course; • make quality higher education affordable and accessible for all students; and • hold for-profit colleges and universities accountable for dismal student outcomes.

For more information visit thepricewepay.org.

4Cs Retirees recently met with State Representative John Hampton (D-Simsbury),

a member of the Aging Committee.

4Cs Retirees Chapter SeeksNew MembersIf you are considering retirement, but want to remain active in a vibrant organization, the 4Cs Retirees Chapter may be the perfect fit for you.Anyone who worked for the community colleges in any capacity can join the 4Cs Retirees Chapter, which is chapter 418 of the CT State Employees Association/SEIU Local 2001. You have to request membership in that specific chapter or you will be assigned to a retirees chapter based on geographical location. The 4Cs and the 4Cs retirees have an established relationship, and President Bonina hopes to utilize the support of the retirees for legislative work and other student outreach projects!



A Note About the 4Cs Political Action CommitteeDecisions directly affecting our work lives and our community college system are decided at the State Capitol. Through the Congress PAC, we have the ability to help elect candidates to public office who share our views. The PAC is funded by small donations from many members. You can support candidates who help our colleges and our profession. Please sign up for the PAC on our website under Action Center > Political Action! It is an investment worth making!

Legislative Report on Issues Unique to the 4Cs

State Community College Block GrantSuccessful lobbying with both the House and Senate Chairs of the Appropriations Committee resulted in the increase of the state appropriation by 16.7 million dollars for both years of the biennium above the Governor’s recommendation. The community college block grant increased 8.7% above the Governor’s recommendation, which was one of the only agency increases that the Governor recommended.

SB 861 Faculty Background Checks for PromotionThis legislation would have allowed for criminal history records checks of faculty members of institutions of higher education in this state and authorized such institutions the ability to discipline a faculty member for criminal conduct while employed by such an institution. At face value, this legislation made sense, but the 4Cs argued against this bill because it did not make a distinction between felonies and misdemeanors. The bill did not pass the Senate.


The 4Cs played a key role in a student-faculty-community coalition (Higher Ed, Not Debt CT) that won an impressive string of victories in the last two months. Here’s a brief list of what our campaign was able to : • Student Loan Bill of Rights and Office

of Ombudsman in Banking Dept: establishes a dedicated ombudsman to assist students with their issues, track complaints, and educate borrowers about their rights.

• Lower interest rates for student loans! Our coalition pushed legislation calling for lower interest rates for supplemental student loans offered by Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA). Even before the bill was signed into law, CHESLA responded by lowering interest rates for loans this fall by almost two full percentage points to 4.95% (far below the 6.84% charged by the federal government for student loans).

• Successfully blocked SARA legislation that would have left the state unable to regulate abuse of Connecticut students by out-of-state for-profit online schools.

• Passage of a study bill regarding the use of Medicare in lieu of insurance for college students. This will possibly reduce the cost of insurance for students.

William Foster III, 4Cs Diversity Officer (NVCC) and Ray Esponda, Vice President for Part Timers (GCC) attended the 67th Annual Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner on June 29th, an annual fundraiser for the Connecticut Democratic Party. The Keynote Speaker for the event was Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

Connecticut SEIU Higher Ed Members Play Key Role for Pro-Student Policies

• Expanded access to open source textbooks. Established pilot projects that will allow students to save thousands of dollars on textbooks by using materials available online at lower cost. Noted in the legislative record in support of the law, it was 4Cs members Marina Philips and Michael La Barbera who pioneered this concept at Housatonic Community College.

We all pay a price if higher education is unaffordable and inaccessible. Taking a leadership role on student issues is important for the 4Cs because when higher education acts like big corporations, our members suffer along with the students. We need to continue to unite around this movement!



This past legislative session, Special Act 15-20 created a Task Force to Develop a Strategic Outcomes-Based Plan for Financing Higher Edcucation that “shall be aligned with the goals and benchmarks for higher education recommended by the Planning Commission for Higher Education” (Special Act 15-20, Section 1a). The General Assembly has directed this task force to include base funding and an investment fund for its public institutions of higher education and performance-based funding of public and independent institutions of higher education.

The task force will consist of faculty and administrators from public and private institutions, and it includes a representative nominated by the 4Cs. The 4Cs put forward Kimberly James (TxCC) for our appointment.

Kimberly is in the final stages of completing her Doctor of Management in Community College Policy and Administration from the University of Maryland University College.

“While I have always been intrigued by the political process, I never thought I would have developed a passion for public policy until I began reading about

the resurgence of performance based funding in public higher education,” said Kimberly. “My interest in performance based funding led me to begin further research into why these performance systems were being embraced by so many states. This growing interest later turned into the focus of my dissertation.”

Ms. James added, “Having worked in the Connecticut Community College system for over 25 years, and being an advocate for students, I was also extremely interested in learning what impact performance

based funding would have on the way we deliver education. It is no secret that many students would not be able to obtain a college education if it wasn’t for community colleges. I believe that community colleges are the most underrated institutions of higher learning in this country. I also believe that we (community colleges) must do a better job at participating in the policy making process in order to effect policy that will have a direct impact on our students and our institutions. So, with that being said, I am both delighted and honored to be appointed to serve on the Task Force to Develop a Strategic Outcomes-Based Plan for Financing Higher Education.”

Ms. James was officially notified of her appointment to the task force on August 5 by Majority Leader, Senator Bob Duff. Kimberly and the 4Cs will be sure to pay close attention to the progress of this committee as it completes its work.

Legislative Task Force Appoints 4Cs Member

Middlesex Community College Honors Senator Danté BartolomeoThe MxCC 4Cs Chapter awards Senator Danté Bartolomeo an honorary Member of the Year award for her efforts to prevent the closure of the Meriden campus. MxCC 4Cs also recognized Ray Dennis and Irod Lee as Members of the Year!

Left to right: Betty Riedinger, Tad Lincoln, Trenton Wright, Angelo Glaviano, Sen. Bartolomeo, Paul Carmichael, Steve Krevisky, Tammi Christopher, and Barbara Giffin. Senator Bartolomeo serves as Assistant Majority Leader, Chair of the Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee, and Chair of the Committee on Children. She also serves as a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Education Committee. She represents Meriden, Middletown, Cheshire, Middlefield, and Rockfall.


Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges, SEIU L1973907 Wethersfield AvenueHartford, CT 06114

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Hartford, CTPermit #2907

The New 4Cs: PROGRESS, DIRECTION, and PURPOSE based on thoughtful...

Communication • Consideration • Collaboration • Cooperation

Professionalism, Inclusiveness, and Accountability in Collective Bargainingby Richard Katz and Dean Casale

“Successful collective bargaining in a state higher education institution is largely dependent on two key factors: calling on and emphasizing members’ individual and shared commitments to professionalism and negotiating with a broadened perspective that appeals to key constituencies not seated at the bargaining table, especially students and taxpayers. Taken together, an emphasis on professionalism and enlightened service to the commonweal helps undercut the hegemonic logic of the market. Negotiation is no longer limited to salary demands and bettering individuals’ terms and conditions. Also important is organized labor’s commitment to social justice, a commitment not only to institutional needs, students, the community, taxpayers, and the state. Organized labor has always insisted that when its members prosper, so do their communities. American higher education has been slow to align itself meaningfully and enduringly with working-class labor, despite the fact that the work of higher education is intellectual labor. Academic collective bargaining sensitive both to professional service and to social justice returns academe to its best self — certainly to its best future.”

An excerpt from: Academic Collective Bargaining, 2006 by The Modern Language Association of America and The American Association of University Professors

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