(POTSDAM, NEW YORK) – Led by United University Professions (UUP), more than 100 Unionists, students and community members showed their support for State University of New York (SUNY) at Potsdam as they rallied against planned cuts to programs and Staff.

Waving signs that read: “We Demand Fair Funding For SUNY Potsdam,” UUP Members joined with students, area Unionists and community members who all assembled at the Barrington Student Center on the SUNY Potsdam Campus.

They called to stop the elimination of as many as 10 degree programs - and associated Faculty and Staff positions - at the college to close a projected $9 million deficit.

“We are here to fight for our students, our Members and the communities and businesses that depend heavily on SUNY Potsdam as a strong, vibrant economic engine,” UUP President Frederick Kowal told those at the rally. “Fair funding for SUNY Potsdam and all of SUNY’s financially stressed campuses is the answer to keeping our campuses vibrant.”

UUP Potsdam Chapter President Kevin Smith also spoke, saying: “Our Members believe SUNY Potsdam is a special place that deserves fair funding from SUNY Administration.  We’re here to ensure that New Yorkers can receive a reasonably-priced, face-to-face, education in their chosen field at Potsdam or at the at the State University Campus of their choice.”

Kowal called a late October decision by SUNY Potsdam Administration to save four programs - Biochemistry, Chemistry and two Public Health Programs which were previously on the chopping block, a victory for students, the community and UUP Members.

UUP had advocated strongly for $163 million in new State aid for SUNY - which was included in the 2023-2024 State Budget - with the intent to close campus budget shortfalls at SUNY Potsdam and 18 other campuses.

The SUNY Board of Trustees, which distributes the funding to campuses, could have wiped out all SUNY campus deficits had it doled out those funds based on campus need, UUP said.

Instead, The Trustees only allocated less than half of that funding to financially troubled campuses.

Kowal said UUP will push strongly for more funding for SUNY campuses in the 2024-2025 state budget, this time with a stipulation that the money be sent to campuses based on need.

“After massive state aid cuts to SUNY and more than a decade of Cuomo-era austerity budgets, our campuses must receive fair funding, which will allow them to close deficits and focus on growth,” Kowal said.  "Every day, our Members at Potsdam and campuses across New York State provide our students with a world-class educational experience that will serve them throughout their lives.  The work our Members do positively impacts our students, our communities and our State both educationally and economically."

Rally speakers also included: Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ronald McDougall, a United Auto Workers (UAW) Member and past President of the Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties Central Building Trades and Labor Council; and SUNY Potsdam English Professor Jennifer Mitchell.

UUP - the Nation's largest Higher Education Union, represents more than 42,000 Academic and Professional Faculty and Retirees.

UUP Members are employed at 29 New York State-operated campuses, including SUNY’s Public Teaching Hospitals and Health Science Centers in Brooklyn, Long Island and Syracuse.

UUP is an affiliate of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) and the AFL-CIO.

Photo Courtesy Of UUP’s Facebook Page.