American

                                Association of

Connecticut State University

                                       Professors

     Phone: (860) 832-3790 * Fax (860) 832-3794 * Email: aaup@ccsu.edu

Ellen Benson

Communications Associate

Communicating to the membership became a concern for the union leadership in the early 2000s. The union sought to hire a staff person for a one-year contract to enhance internal and external communications and support the union as it assumed a more active role in state legislative issues. Ellen’s previous employment as a legislative aide to Massachusetts State Representative Mark J. Carron, an organizer for numerous political campaigns, and a public relations associate at a firm in Glastonbury, CT made her an outstanding candidate for this new position. Ellen’s one-year contract was renewed for a second year by the CSU-AAUP Council, and she was hired as a full-time staff person in 2006.

During her tenure at CSU-AAUP, Ellen has increased the frequency and quality of communication to the membership, including establishing a monthly newsletter during the academic year and more frequent updates through the use of electronic mail. Ellen has helped the union utilize technology to better inform the membership by expanding and redesigning the websites for CSU-AAUP and CCSU-AAUP. During contract negotiations in 2006 and 2007, the contract proposals submitted by Management and AAUP were posted on the organization’s website so that members had easier access to them. The first annual report was also produced in 2006 in an effort to increase the union’s transparency to the membership.

Ellen works closely with the lobbying firm and CSU-AAUP officers to research legislative matters and formulate fact sheets and information needed for advocacy activities. She was successful in assisting the union in publishing editorials in the Hartford Courant and arranging for the CSU-AAUP President to speak with several local radio talk shows in opposition to the unfunded freeze of tuition at all Connecticut public colleges and universities proposed by Governor Rell during the 2005 legislative session. Ellen also coordinated in the publication of a series of paid advertisements in 2007 aimed at making legislators aware of the need for more full-time faculty at CSU.

Serving as a liaison, Ellen has worked to foster better communication between CSU-AAUP and the campus AAUP Executive Committees. She also assists in the scheduling and organizing union events as needed.

Ellen graduated from Clark University in 1998 and attended one year of law school at Pace University before revising her career plans. She plans to complete a M.A. in Communication at Central Connecticut State University in Fall 2009.

Connecticut State University American Association of University Professors

CCSU, Marcus White Hall, Rooms 310, New Britain, CT 06050 * Phone (860) 832-3790 * Fax (860) 832-3794