Blackboard Ultra Agreement Reached

The 4Cs and AFT have reached a fully executed agreement with CSCU providing eligible faculty with a $600 payment for completing required Blackboard Ultra training and assessment.

The 4Cs and AFT have reached a fully executed agreement with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities regarding the required transition to Blackboard Ultra.

We know many faculty members have been waiting a long time for this agreement. Some completed the training without knowing when—or whether—they would be compensated. Others postponed the training while waiting for clear expectations and written assurances.

Faculty should not be required to complete substantial new training without clear guidance and fair compensation. This agreement establishes the training requirements, compensation, documentation process, and payment schedule.

Who Must Complete the Training?

All full-time and part-time teaching faculty employed during the Fall 2025 semester or later must complete the required Blackboard Ultra training by:

November 30, 2026

Training Requirements

Faculty should complete one of the following training options:

• Four synchronous sessions taught by Campus Educational Technology staff; or

• Four asynchronous online training modules developed by Campus Educational Technology staff.

Under either option, faculty must also earn a score of at least 80% on the Pioneers Ultra assessment.

Faculty who complete the required training and pass the assessment will receive a:

One-Time $600 Payment

The maximum payment available under the agreement is $600, even if a faculty member completes more than one training format.

Option for Faculty Eligible for Additional Responsibilities

• Faculty members who are eligible for Additional Responsibilities, or AR, may choose to include the Blackboard Ultra training on their AR request form for 0.27 credits.

• Faculty who receive AR credit for the training will not also receive the $600 payment.

• Eligible faculty should consider which option makes the most sense for their individual circumstances before submitting their documentation.

Faculty Previously Trained in Blackboard Ultra

Faculty members who previously received Blackboard Ultra training through another institution or employer may submit documentation of that training to the Associate Vice President of Academic and Student Operations.

Once the previous training is accepted, the faculty member will not be required to complete the four synchronous sessions or four asynchronous modules.

The faculty member must still pass the Pioneers Ultra assessment with a score of at least 80%.

The agreement does not provide compensation to faculty who use the prior-training option.

Payment Schedule

Payment dates are based on when complete verification documentation is received by Associate Vice President Manuel Gomez or a designated representative.

Complete Documentation Received & Scheduled Payment Date

By June 10, 2026, paid on June 26, 2026

June 11 through August 30, 2026, paid on September 18, 2026

September 1 through December 31, 2026, paid on January 22, 2027

September 18 Payment for Eligible Part-Time Lecturers

Eligible part-time lecturers who completed the required Blackboard Ultra training and assessment will have their $600 payment processed in the September 18, 2026 paycheck if they were off contract this summer.

Questions About Verification or Payment

Faculty members should contact Manuel Gomez with questions about:

• Whether their training completion has been verified

• Whether the required documentation has been received

• Whether they are scheduled to receive payment

• Whether additional information is needed

Manuel Gomez
Associate Vice President of Academic and Student Operations (manuel.gomez@ctstate.edu)

When submitting an inquiry, members should include:

• Full name

• Employee identification information

• Date the training was completed

• Documentation showing completion of the training

• Documentation showing a passing score on the Pioneers Ultra assessment

4Cs Welcomes Organizers Andrew Ianni and Mike Michno

The 4Cs is pleased to welcome two organizers to our staff: Andrew Ianni, who has joined the union as a full-time organizer, and Mike Michno, who has joined us as a part-time organizer.

Andrew brings experience in higher education, labor organizing, strategic research, and member mobilization.

He holds a master’s degree in Labor Studies from the UMass Amherst Labor Center and has previously worked with the American Association of University Professors, the Greater New Haven Labor History Association, and Central Connecticut State University.

His background includes organizing workers, supporting campus actions, conducting labor research, teaching sociology, and advocating for public higher education.

Mike brings direct experience as both a 4Cs member and an organizer.

They have worked in the library at CT State Manchester, where they assisted students and community members, helped connect students with campus resources, and became active in the 4Cs.

Mike has also participated in community and political organizing with the Connecticut Working Families Party. They previously served as a 4Cs member organizer, holding organizing conversations with faculty and supporting member outreach.

Strengthening Our Organizing Team

Andrew and Mike join current organizers Fara Broughton and Emily McEvoy as the 4Cs continues strengthening its ability to:

• Support members facing workplace concerns

• Develop union leaders

• Organize around campus and chapter issues

• Improve communication with members

• Build power across the union

The 4Cs also expects to announce an additional full-time organizer soon. Before the beginning of the semester, members will receive updated information about campus and chapter assignments for the entire organizing team.

In the meantime, members who need assistance but are unsure which organizer to contact should call the 4Cs office at 860-296-5172. Staff will make sure each question or concern reaches the appropriate person.

Please join us in welcoming Andrew and Mike to their new roles. We look forward to the experience, energy, and commitment they will bring to our members and our union.

Delegate Assembly Resolution on Israel Arms Embargo and Divestment

At its recent meeting, the 4Cs Delegate Assembly voted to adopt a resolution calling for an arms embargo to Israel and divestment from corporations complicit in violations of international law in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

The resolution reflects the growing global labor movement response to humanitarian and human rights concerns in the region. 

Why the 4Cs Took Action

The goal of this resolution is to support the worldwide efforts to end the genocide in Palestine. Another goal is to protect the rights of students to exercise free speech and to protest. Finally, we must uphold and protect academic freedom and the rights of faculty and staff.

Our union has a long history of standing for human rights and justice - whether advocating for fair wages, racial equity, or peace abroad. This resolution follows that tradition, aligning with past labor actions such as divestment from South African apartheid.

As with all Delegate Assembly actions, the decision was made through open discussion and democratic vote among elected representatives from chapters across the state.

The 4Cs recognizes that this issue is deeply painful and personal. Our intent is not to diminish any loss of life or suffering, whether that be Israeli or Palestinian. The resolution affirms our commitment to human rights and the protection of civilians everywhere. We believe in a world where all people deserve safety, freedom, and dignity.

Anti-Union Mailings

Anti-worker groups like the so-called “Freedom Foundation” are continuing their anti-worker efforts in Connecticut, using Freedom of Information (FOI) laws to request the home addresses of state employee union members. Their goal? To weaken our union and strip us of the collective power that has secured better wages, benefits, and job protections for over fifty years.

Who is the Freedom Foundation?

The Freedom Foundation is a billionaire-funded, anti-worker special interest group with a clear mission: to defund and dismantle public sector unions. They oppose wage increases, retirement security, sick leave, and other critical worker protections. Their ultimate aim is to privatize public services for corporate profit—at the expense of workers and the communities we serve.

Their Tactics: Misinformation & Deception

The Freedom Foundation has used deceitful tactics to try to convince union members to abandon their rights, including:

• Fake “checks” designed to mislead members into thinking they’ll save money by dropping union membership.

• Misinformation campaigns that twist the facts to push their anti-worker agenda.

They want you to believe that saving dues is worth giving up the power to negotiate fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. But the reality is that our collective strength in our union is the only thing standing between us and the austerity policies that would leave workers worse off.

Stay Informed & Take Action

To learn more about this anti-worker movement and the hidden interests behind it, check out these resources:

• Washington State Freedom Foundation Activities

• In Connecticut, Anti-Union Groups Spread Misinformation to Weaken Workers’ Rights

If you ever have a question or concern about your union rights, don’t hesitate to reach out at 860.296.5172. Staying informed and standing together is the best way to protect what we’ve built.

Won! Retroactive Pay for SDC Chairs and SACC Chairs & SACC Members

We’re pleased to share great news for our full-time faculty: after many months of advocating and data-gathering, CT State has agreed to compensate full-time faculty who served as SACC members, SACC Chairs, and SDC Chairs between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025 for hours worked beyond what was originally compensated.

With critical support from faculty that were willing to speak up and speak out, our union was able to demonstrate that many faculty were putting in more hours than the time officially allocated. Our members stepped forward, documented their additional work, and helped make the case directly to administration.

What happens next?

CT State will issue MOUs (Memoranda of Understanding) to each faculty member who reported extra hours worked. These MOUs will detail how much retroactive pay you will receive.

Once HR prepares the MOUs, they will be sent to the affected members. We appreciate your patience as this administrative process moves forward.

We’re excited to announce that the Charter Oak State College faculty union contract has been officially approved by both the House and the Senate—a historic milestone for our members!

Charter Oak Contract Approved by House and Senate!

After years of organizing and negotiations, Charter Oak faculty now have an approved union contract, bringing long-overdue recognition, protections, and structure to our work.

What’s Next?

A Labor-Management Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, where we’ll begin important conversations on:

• Retroactive pay and when it will be distributed

• Summer contracts updated to the salary rates in our approved agreement

This meeting marks the next step in making sure the contract is not only approved, but fully implemented and enforced in a way that reflects the value of our members’ work.

This first contract was made possible by the persistence and solidarity of Charter Oak members. Your advocacy and determination have delivered real results.

Stay tuned for updates after the May 14 meeting.

Election Results

We are pleased to announce the official results of our union election. Thank you to everyone who participated. Your engagement strengthens our collective voice.

Of the 2,772 eligible voters, 580 individuals cast a ballot.

Elected Officers:

• President: Seth Freeman

• Secretary: Kofi Adomako-Ayisi

• Treasurer: Lorraine Li

• Membership Officer: Lisa Calabrese

• Diversity Officer: Saulo Colon

• Vice President from Faculty: Michael Hinton

• Vice President from CCPs: Kevin Skee

• Vice Presidents from Part-Timers (2): Sara Berry & Anie Dubosse

• Vice President from the Private Division: Ira Rubenzahl

For a detailed breakdown of the election, including chapter results, please refer to the official report here.

Next Steps:

The newly elected officers will assume their roles on July 1. We look forward to their leadership in advancing our union’s mission and addressing the priorities of our members.

Get Involved:

Your participation doesn’t end with voting. There are numerous ways to stay engaged:

• Attend upcoming union meetings

• Join committees or working groups

• Share your ideas and feedback with union leadership

We are stronger together and we need every one of us to build a strong union.

Students Deliver Petition to Governor's Office

Students from both CT State and the four regional state universities came together on Wednesday to hold a press conference and deliver a petition to the Governor's Office, demanding stable, long-term funding. 

Students, with support from the unions on campus, were able to spread word about the petition and within a matter of weeks had gathered nearly 1,300 signers. 

Here is a roundup on some of coverage of the event:

• Students and faculty raise concerns over funding for state colleges (Fox 61)

• College students rally for more funding at state capitol (WTNH)

• College Students Rally For Higher Ed Funding (CT Examiner)

• CT students petition Lamont for more higher education funding (WSHU)

• Storming the State Capitol for Education (ICE Media)

Professional Development Committee

The Professional Development (PD) Committee began its work last week with faculty and staff across all chapters. During our recent meeting, members engaged in small group discussions to better understand what is currently happening on each campus and to identify areas where our PD processes can be improved.

Key Focus Areas:

1. Understanding Campus-Specific Initiatives: We began by sharing insights on the professional development activities currently taking place at each campus. This allowed us to see the variety of approaches being used and helped us identify best practices that could be beneficial across all chapters. Establishing this baseline is essential for understanding the strengths and challenges of existing practices.

2. Improving the PD Process: We also discussed opportunities to enhance our PD process, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of our faculty and staff while maintaining consistency and effectiveness.

If you are interested in joining the committee, please fill out this form. 

Union Leaders Met with President Ward

Your union representatives at UHart and I recently met with the new university president, Lawrence Ward, along with other members of the administration. 

We pressed him on several issues, some brought by you, our fellow members, and by students — as we are the university's front line when it comes to interactions with the student body. 

He informed us that UHart presently has 6,000 students enrolled, 1,800 of them graduate students, and — contrary to an email that was sent last week — only one undocumented student. As it was stated in the email from the administration, he pledged that unless federal officers provide a warrant, they will not be permitted to enter the campus by UHart Public Safety. He expressed concern about those students and faculty who may have family who are undocumented, as well as concern about the future of federal funding as the Trump administration and D.O.E. Secretary nominee Linda McMahon threaten to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Ward said he will be working to build a relationship with McMahon and promised to keep us all informed as to his progress. 

The president also conveyed that he was very concerned about federal grants such as one from NASA that could be endangered by cuts ordered by the cost cutters in DC.

On campus, Ward detailed problems he knew he needed to address: roofs, HVAC, as well as faculty and staffing concerns and the longstanding campus parking issues. 

We made sure he was aware of our new seniority policy that rolled out this semester and the start of a process to evaluate and remedy the inequity in lab fees.

As you may be aware, the union meets monthly with the administration, and our next meeting is set for Monday, March 10. We welcome any questions or issues you'd like us to address either before or at that meeting. Thank you!

In solidarity,

Dawn Ennis

The 4Cs Chapter President

Standing Strong Amid More Change

Last week, President Maduko announced a significant change in our college leadership structure: the transition to a Campus President Model. Under his plan, seven presidents will be searched for and hired to oversee multiple locations, replacing the current Campus CEO structure. Leadership restructuring is being framed as a step toward “long-term sustainability,” yet many of us know from experience that administrative changes often bring uncertainty.

Let’s be clear—we are all tired. We have endured a decade of instability, budget cuts, consolidation, and shifting leadership priorities. We are still here because we believe in our students, in our campuses, in our work, and in each other.

The administration’s announcement assures us that no “bargained-level employees” will be affected, but that doesn’t mean these changes won’t have an impact. We know that leadership decisions shape our working conditions, which in turn affect our students’ learning conditions. That’s why our union will remain strong, vigilant, and united as we navigate yet another transition.

What does this mean for us?

• We are watching and listening. We will monitor this restructuring closely to ensure that no positions, programs, or services are quietly eliminated. We need you to keep the lines of communication open with your union representatives.

• We will hold leadership accountable. If this change is truly about strengthening our campuses, then faculty and staff voices must be heard—not just in surveys, but in decision-making. Shared governance must be respected.

• We must stand together. Administrators come and go, but we are the heart of these colleges. No matter who holds the title of “Campus President,” "College President," or "Chancellor," it is our collective work that keeps CT State running.

What can you do?

• Stay informed. Read updates from both the administration and the union, and attend meetings to discuss these changes and potential impacts. President Maduko's next Virtual Office Hours are on Wednesday, February 19 at 3PM. This is a great opportunity to participate and learn more information.

• Share your concerns. Talk to your union stewards, colleagues, and leaders. We are stronger when we speak up together.

• Support each other. We are all feeling the strain of constant uncertainty. Now, more than ever, let’s check in on one another and remind ourselves why we fight—for fairness, for respect, and for a better future for our students.

We are the union. We are CT State. And together, we will protect our members, our students, and the mission of public higher education in Connecticut.

Information on Recent Federal Actions

It's important for us to remain vigilant about federal actions that affect our students, colleagues, and campuses.

Immigration Policies 

CSCU released a memorandum explaining its protocol with respect to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on CSCU Campuses. The full legal memorandum can be read here. The 4Cs has also utilized the CSCU memo to create a one-page flyer. Please print them out to have on hand as a reference. We also encourage you to review the video series at https://www.wehaverights.us.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives

Another major federal action involves executive orders addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs. The administration has directed institutions receiving federal funds to eliminate “discriminatory and illegal” preferences and practices. While federal civil rights laws such as Title VII, Title IX, and Title VI already prohibit discrimination, institutions are still assessing how this order will be interpreted and enforced.

As a recipient of Title IV funding and a designated Hispanic-serving institution, Connecticut State Community College will likely experience some impact. However, DEI initiatives must remain central to our mission of serving a diverse student population. 

Research and Federal Funding

Federal executive orders and policy shifts may also affect grant funding on our campuses. If you work in a federally-grant funded position, please let us know so our union can keep track of what positions we demand be funded by other means. 

Support Students 

Keep in mind that some students are currently concerned about their rights and safety. It's important to know what resources are available on your campus so that you are able to direct our students as needed.

Federal actions will continue to evolve, but our response will always be guided by our commitment to our students and members. We will provide updates as new information becomes available and encourage open dialogue on these critical issues.

Charter Oak Members Approve First Contract

Earlier this week, Charter Oak members concluded voting on their first 4Cs Contract with a unanimous vote! 

Key Provisions:

1. Wage Increases:

   • Undergraduate Adjunct Faculty: A 6.49% increase in per-credit, per-seat compensation, retroactive to July 1, 2024.

   • Graduate Adjunct Faculty: A 5.45% increase in per-credit, per-seat compensation.

   • New minimum payment thresholds for 1- and 2-credit-hour courses.

2. Enhanced Support for Low-Enrolled and Independent Studies:

   • Significant increases in compensation for courses with four or fewer students enrolled, with rates up by as much as 76.79%.

3. Professional Development:

   • A $20,000 annual allocation for professional development reimbursements, with eligible adjunct faculty able to receive up to $500 per year.

4. Course Cancellations and Orientation Pay:

   • $500 compensation for courses canceled less than seven days before their start.

   • $300 pay for adjuncts completing orientation.

5. Seniority Pool:

   • Adjunct faculty who have taught 18 credits at the college are eligible for a seniority pool that provides priority consideration for course assignments.

6. Tuition Waivers:

   • Adjunct faculty may enroll in one Charter Oak course annually with waived tuition and fees after completing one semester of teaching.

7. Faculty Team Leads:

   • Adjunct faculty appointed as team leads will receive a $2,000 stipend annually.

Additional Notes:

• Establishment of a Labor-Management Committee to foster collaboration on mutual interests.

• New grievance and arbitration procedures for more efficient resolution of disputes.

• Affirmation of non-discrimination policies and academic freedom.

This agreement reflects a significant step forward in recognizing and improving the working conditions of adjunct faculty, further aligning the college’s values with its mission of equitable access to education.

Promotion, Tenure and Sabbatical Leave Workshop

November 1, 2024

Forrest Helvie (CT State Norwalk, English) has generously offered to run a promotion, tenure and sabbatical leave workshop for members, as he has done in the past for Norwalk's Center for Teaching.

• What: 4Cs Promotion, Tenure, and Sabbatical Best Practices Forum

• Date: Fri, Nov 08

• Time: 1PM - 1:45PM

• Where: Online (Register here)

The forum will review some best practices for 4Cs members looking to apply for promotion, tenure, and/or sabbatical. Presentation elements of this program will be recorded; however, open Q&A will not be recorded or transcribed.

Welcome Charter Oak State College Union Members!

October 18, 2024

Approximately 200 teaching faculty won union recognition with the 4Cs!

Congratulations to the members at Charter Oak State College!

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