Referendum 2011

UPDATE: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:36:49 -0500
Referendum 2011 passed by a majority of the membership voting in a mail ballot. The results were 191 YES and 172 NO.

Membership Referendum of the Buffalo Center Chapter of the United University Professions

Whereas, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Business Council of New York State engage in lobbying and partisan political activity unrelated to the legitimate mission of SUNY; and

Whereas, the University at Buffalo is listed publicly as a member of both.

Therefore the membership of the UUP Buffalo Center Chapter calls upon:
1. The University at Buffalo immediately to break its membership in and financial support for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Business Council of New York State; and
2. UUP shall take action to ensure that the University at Buffalo immediately cut all ties to and financial support of these organizations and to all other organizations engaged in such activity; and
3. UUP shall investigate and report to its members the extent of involvement of the University at Buffalo and its officials in these organizations and their political activities, and shall investigate and report to its members whether any laws or SUNY policies may have been violated; and
4. UUP shall take such action as appropriate to ensure that the University at Buffalo President and other officers resign from any positions in their official capacity on the Boards of these organizations, and similarly cut ties to any other organizations stating or implying that the University at Buffalo, or any of its officers acting in their official capacity, endorses or engages in political activity not directly related to the University's educational mission; and
5. UUP shall ensure that the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Business Council of New York State correct any public representations suggesting official endorsement of or involvement in inappropriate political activity by the University at Buffalo or its officers.

Statements of For and Against the Referendum:

Are attached below