202-01-01: Amend policy regarding “Display of the Flag” to include the flags of sovereign indigenous nations in New York State

Advocates for a change to SUNY Policy 5600 “Display of the Flag” to grant campuses autonomy to display the flags of federally and state-recognized indigenous nations whose traditional territories encompass the campus location

202-02-1: In Support of DEISJ Knowledge Areas across all SUNY Sectors

Urges SUNY leadership to support programs and departments that develop and teach DEISJ content as autonomous interdisciplinary units

Ethics White Paper on Burnout

Faculty and staff serve as the primary emotional and instructional support system for SUNY students, performing extensive emotional labor that is essential but often invisible and undervalued. While higher education has increasingly prioritized student well-being, employee well-being has not received equal structural attention. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified this imbalance. Faculty and staff were required to rapidly shift modalities, support distressed students, manage safety protocols, and sustain academic operations under unprecedented strain. Respondents acknowledged that campuses acted reasonably during the height of the pandemic. However, the long-term aftermath—marked by staffing shortages, increased administrative expectations, and persistent institutional pressures—has resulted in escalating burnout, reduced autonomy, and declining morale.This white paper presents a comprehensive examination of faculty and staff burnout across the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Drawing on a multi-year study conducted by the University Faculty Senate’s Ethics and Institutional Integrity Committee, the report identifies how post-pandemic conditions, institutional decisions, rising workloads, and limited structural support have led to a system-wide decline in employee well-being. The study integrates quantitative survey data, qualitative responses, and preliminary interviews to assess the experiences of more than 1,000 SUNY faculty and staff

Contributing to the Public Good through Tackling Food Insecurity: The Pantry at SUNY Brockport

Winter 2026 Food insecurity affects millions of college students nationwide, creating barriers to academic success and well-being. To address this growing challenge, SUNY Chancellor King is committed to ensuring that every SUNY campus offers a food pantry or similar resource. Joining this system-wide effort, in Fall 2023, SUNY Brockport opened The Pantry, a welcoming, stigma-free space where students, faculty, staff, and community members can access food and basic needs support. Two years since its opening, demand continues to rise, especially during times of economic uncertainty, such as the recent federal government shutdown that impacted SNAP benefits.University Faculty Senate Communications Committe

202-03-1: Responding to Faculty/Staff Funding and Program Cuts

Advocates for strategies to mitigate the effects of funding shortfalls on faculty research agendas and career continuity

Preparing for Digital Accessibility: SUNY Brockport's Campus-Wide Effort

Winter 2026 With the April 24, 2026 ADA Title II deadline approaching, SUNY Brockport is committed to helping faculty, staff, and students meet digital accessibility compliance requirements. Jie Zhang, a member of the UFS Communications Committee, interviewed three colleagues leading this work to explore digital accessibility implementation at Brockport, including their roles, challenges, resources, SUNY-wide collaboration, strategies for measuring progress, and impact on teaching and learning.University Faculty Senate Communications Committe

202-04-1: Executive Budget Resolution

Expresses the support of the UFS body for the budget priorities detailed in the Dec. 17, 2025 “Open Letter to Governor Hochul on the State Fiscal year 2027 Executive Budget

"We Are All in this Together": A Conversation with University Faculty Senate (UFS) Leadership on Digital Accessibility

Winter 2026 Under ADA Title II requirements, all digital content must be accessible to everyone by April 24, 2026. To learn more about SUNY’s accessibility initiatives and resources available to help faculty, staff, and students meet the compliance deadline, Jie Zhang and Alithia Alleyne, members of the UFS Communications Committee, interviewed Kim Scalzo, Senior Associate Provost for Digital Innovation and Academic Services (DIAS) at SUNY System Administration; Bruce Simon, UFS President; and Logan Rath, Chair of the UFS Operations Committee and President of the SUNY Brockport Senate in Fall 2025. As UFS President Simon reminds us: “Accessibility is more than compliance. It is a commitment to equity and academic excellence. Universal design benefits all learners and strengthens the integrity of SUNY’s educational mission.”University Faculty Senate Communications Committe

Sheldon Hall

Sheldon Hall. Black & white photo showing deteriation of brick wall