New CUNY scholarship promotes diversity, excellence in union leadership, labor studies The Joseph S. Murphy Institute at the City University of New York’s (CUNY) School of Professional Studies is launching a national scholarship competition dedicated to fostering a diverse leadership in the labor movement and in the academic field of labor studies. A collaboration between CUNY and New York City labor unions, the Murphy Institute is nationally recognized for offering exceptional undergraduate and graduate education, particularly in labor studies and urban studies. It has attracted some of the most prestigious faculty in the country. The Murphy Institute recently embarked on a campaign to raise scholarship funds to address the lack of racial and gender diversity in union leadership and labor scholarship. It is now ready to award significant scholarships to deserving students: up to $30,000 for graduate students and up to $20,000 for undergraduate students. “With this competition, we are seeking to attract candidates from underrepresented constituencies who wish to pursue careers either with unions, or, alternatively, with universities in laborrelated fields of study,” said Murphy Institute Director Gregory Mantsios. “Our goal is to help prepare the next generation of union leaders, advocates, and labor scholars, and to do everything we can to ensure that the new leadership adequately reflects the diversity of the U.S. labor force.” “The CUNY School of Professional Studies was founded on the ideal of providing opportunities for workers to continue and complete their college educations,” said John Mogulescu, the school’s dean. “We are thrilled to be offering this new opportunity and to be making a contribution to diversity and excellence in the labor movement and the field of labor studies.” Students who are committed to diversity and excellence are invited to apply by the March 31, 2014 application deadline. Scholarships available Numerous scholarships are available for CSEA members and their dependents to pursue higher education. Several scholarships are highlighted here. To see more scholarship opportunites, visit www. cseany.org/scholarships. Many CSEA regions, locals and units also offer scholarships. Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial Scholarship Each year, CSEA awards 18 $1,000 scholarships to eligible dependents of members (three awarded in each region) under the Irving Flaumenbaum Memorial Scholarship. Pearl Carroll and MetLife also each sponsor a one-time $2,500 award. Filing for a Flaumenbaum scholarship automatically puts an applicant in consideration for the Pearl Carroll and MetLife scholarships. Applications are now available at CSEA’s website at www.cseany.org or through your region office. Visit CSEA website to learn more. The application deadline is April 30, 2014. For more information or to download an application form, visit http://sps.cuny.edu/murphyscholarship or call Vilma Ebanks at 212-642-2083. J.J. Kelly Scholarship CSEA is seeking applicants for the J.J. Kelly Scholarship Awards. The J.J. Kelly Memorial Scholarship Fund provides award recipients with college scholarships for up to four years. Scholarships are awarded to meritorious students who are sons and daughters of CSEA members who were killed or permanently disabled as a result of their jobs, or who died while an active CSEA member. The awards are based on the applicant’s academic records, financial need, school activities, outside work, community involvement and career goals. To request an application, contact: CSEA Scholarship Committee, 143 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12210. Completed applications are due June 30, 2014. Thinking about retiring? Join a CSEA Retiree Local! Are you thinking about retiring? CSEA locals may pay the first year of CSEA Retiree dues, which are only $24. Our efforts through the years have protected – that is, guaranteed – public pensions and Social Security against assaults by shortsighted politicians who want to dismantle the system that protects your standard of living. These days, you can’t take anything for granted. You need your union to protect what you have and likewise, we need you to maintain strength in numbers. Dues are only $2 per month and can be deducted directly from your pension check. Here is what you get in return: • Lobbyists at the federal, state and local government levels to protect your interests; • Membership in a CSEA Retiree Local, as well as AFSCME Retiree Local 1000; • Local retiree meetings to socialize and get updates on retirement benefits; • Subscriptions to informative publications, including the CSEA Retiree News; and • Member-only benefits that can save you money on many consumer needs. Call your county’s Retiree local president listed at left or visit www. cseany.org and select “Retiree Members” from the “For Members” menu. March 2014 The Work Force 19
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