American

                                Association of

Connecticut State University

                                       Professors

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

Linda Cunningham

SCSU-AAUP Member Services Coordinator

At Southern, Linda is responsible for carrying out the direction and policies set by the SCSU-AAUP Executive Committee and the CSU-AAUP Council. She assists the Officers, Executive Committee, and sub-committees in carrying out their duties. Linda is also responsible for addressing members’ contractual concerns, including compensation, benefits, and working conditions; managing the grievance process; and providing assistance in situations requiring conflict resolution. Linda is passionate in defending the rights of faculty and making sure they are treated fairly under the contract.

Linda’s ability to build and maintain relationships has greatly contributed to her success in this position. For a number of years, Linda was the sole AAUP staffer at the largest CSU campus. During this time, a number of contentious actions taken by a newly-hired Vice President for Human Resources made it necessary for AAUP to become increasingly involved in a number of matters. While CSU-AAUP recognized the need for additional staff at Southern, the organization could not afford another person under its budget at the time. Linda was able to manage the increasing range of responsibilities with the help of the dedicated cadre of AAUP volunteers she had built during her tenure at SCSU-AAUP. Also, through her numerous relationships and contacts, Linda continues to obtain information from the administration without the typical bureaucratic delay.

Linda’s education at Miami University and in the Public Administration program at SUNY-Brockport and her prior experience working for the YMCA prepared her for this challenging position at SCSU. Linda worked her way up the ranks at the YMCA, starting as Aquatics Director and over the next 12 years was hired for positions of increasing responsibility, serving as Physical Director, Program Director, Branch Director, and Executive Director at YMCAs across the mid-west and northeast. Linda also served as Recreation Director for the Town of Webster, NY. In these positions, Linda hired, supervised and trained both full and part-time staff; developed and administered departments and programs as well as managed their budgets; designed training manuals and presented workshops; organized community programs; and received numerous awards, including the President’s Award for the most improved YMCA in the Rochester Metro area.

Also contributing to Linda’s achievement is her continued pursuit of professional development. Linda has attended numerous National AAUP Summer Institutes, the Conference of the National Center for Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions, the Conference on Contingent Academic Labor, AAUP Annual Meetings and AAUP/CBC Semi-annual Meetings. Linda also served as President of the Field Staff Association of the American Association of University Professors for 4 years, maintaining contact with AAUP field staff at institutions across the country.

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