The Executive Board of the Adjunct Union is in the process of establishing a scholarship in memory of Larry DeVaro, long-time adjunct professor of history and secretary to the union board, who passed away in January.   Several people have asked about making contributions in Larry's memory.  If you wish to donate to this scholarship fund, please make out your check to UAFNJ - Camden Chapter and note on the check "for DeVaro scholarship."  Checks can be mailed to UAFNJ, PO Box 143, Blackwood, NJ  08012 or can be given to any member of the Executive Board.  

In solidarity,

Karen Feldman and Robert Hammond
Co-chairs, UAFNJ Camden Co Chapter

and Board members: Ernie Kiesel, Ed Carroll, Robert DelSordo, and Greg Wheeler

Dear Fellow Adjunct Faculty Members,

For several years, our union, United Adjunct Faculty of New Jersey,  has been attempting to make it easier (or at least possible) for us to collect unemployment compensation when we are not working.  We now have bills in committee in both the NJ Assembly and Senate.   We urge you to contact your state representatives and the chairs of the Higher Education committees in the two houses of the NJ legislature.  Email addresses are shown in this forwarded email from the secretary of our state affiliate.

Do yourself a favor and send an email now!

Karen Feldman and Robert Hammond
Co-chairs, Camden Co Chapter, UAFNJ

________________________________________

Subject: Unemployment bill

Good evening,

I am happy to report that our Unemployment bill, that can hopefully help adjunct faculty collect during the Summer, has been submitted to committees in both house of the NJ legislature. We need to get the bills on the floor for a vote. The bills are identical.

We need to begin an e-mail campaign to the Chairs of the respective higher ed committees (Asw Mila Jasey in the Assembly--AswJasey@njleg.org<mailto:Assembly--AswJasey@njleg.org>

and Sen Cunningham in the Senate--SenCunningham@njleg.org<mailto:Senate--SenCunningham@njleg.org> ) asking for A-2718 and S-801 to be scheduled for a vote. The more emails sent the better chance of the bills being posted. They should be separate emails with the bill number indicated.

Please spread this to as many adjunct faculty, members and potential members, so we can get the bills posted. Once we have a date for the vote I will inform you so you can ask your people to contact their assemblymen(women) and senators and ask them to support it.

Thanks and please get the word out there.

Bill Lipkin

As you may recall, Comptroller Kevin Lembo recently announced  that Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield will be the sole administrator of the state employee health plan beginning July 1, 2020.   Those who currently utilize UnitedHealthcare plans will be moved into Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield at that time.  In the vast majority of circumstances, healthcare providers that accept UnitedHealthcare will also accept Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, but there may be exceptions.

Most people with a passing knowledge of Black history are familiar with aspects of the role Ida B. Wells-Barnett played. She was a many faceted woman: journalist, newspaper editor, suffragist, sociologist, civil rights activist and renowned public speaker. As an early leader in the civil rights movement, she was a founding member of the NAACP. She fought her entire life to combat prejudice and violence as well as equal rights for women.

There are always surprises with any re-examination.  As a transplant to Fort Pierce, Florida I learned about black men and women who had made significant contributions to the area and to black history but who were 'unsung' heroes without widespread recognition as is all too common.

Every February Americans mark Black history in the US. We acknowledge the painful and celebrate the triumphant.

Every year, A&R awards scholarships to qualifying children of A&R/AFT Local 4200 members or children of former A&R members who are now members of the A&R Retiree Chapter. 

Ten scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each will go to 2020 high school graduates or seniors who have been accepted to and will be entering a post-secondary educational institution.  These are one-time only awards. 

Five awards in the amount of $1,500 each will go to post secondary students who are continuing their education.  The continuing student awards are also one-time only, but the recipient may previously have received an entering student A&R scholarship.

One of the applicants will receive a $2,500 Harry Zilber Scholarship Award presented in recognition of community service activities.  The name of the Zilber Award winner is displayed at the A&R Headquarters on a commemorative plaque.

If you have a qualifying child who is continuing their education and wishes to apply for a scholarship, please complete the application and return it to the A&R Office by the April 2, 2020 deadline.

2020 A&R Scholarship Application

In addition, there are scholarship opportunities provided by AFT-CT and AFT National

"The biggest threat to public education is to assume everyone else will save it."

If you were unable to make it to the Fund Our Future Take on Tallahassee Rally, we have good news for you!  There will be a regional rally in Orlando.

A new law mandates five hours of mental health lessons for middle and high school students in grades 6 -12. CTA demanded to impact bargain this issue. The request was made at labor management meetings, in emails and at the table, as our bargaining minutes reflect.  Meanwhile, the District worked to identify a curriculum and develop a program without CTA involvement. The District leaders decided to proceed their way –the way ELC leaders always develop initiatives - away from the table in meetings at the ELC.

Register here:  https://bit.ly/2lJwD9S