Action Plan for Staff at Brooklyn College

September 29, 2020

Dear Brooklyn College colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the progress of the Implementation Team for Racial Justice. On September 16, 2020, we hosted two listening sessions focused on racial justice for staff members. We have also received many suggestions on how better to support staff from a number of groups on campus.

At the listening sessions, staff expressed concerns about fairness in hiring and promotion at the College. They want professional development and career advancement opportunities and they want to know about new job postings. Finally, they want to have more of a voice in the shared governance structures of the College. In response to the concerns and suggestions we received related to staff, we will implement the following action plan:

1. Staff Mentors

This semester, the College will identify and appoint four Staff Mentors (2 HEO; 1 CLT, and 1 Gittleson) to support our staff members. Staff Mentors will assist staff with accurate information about job titles, career development, work-related concerns, and hiring processes and procedures. They will offer a safe and confidential space for airing concerns, provide referrals, consult with others, and develop cooperative strategies to resolve issues.

2. Staff Training

Representatives from the Office of Legal Counsel and Human Resources will develop and offer staff informational sessions about various titles under the contracts, CUNY processes for hiring, promotion, and salary differentials, and other relevant College policies, such as those that prohibit retaliation and discrimination. Union representatives will be encouraged to attend and contribute.

3. Staff Professional Development

The College will develop and offer professional development for interested staff on how to prepare for and advance in their careers when opportunities become available.

4. Management Training

The College will develop and offer enhanced training for managers on topics such as implicit bias, performance reviews, staff advancement, and a supportive and inclusive work environment.

5. Job Transparency

The College will enhance the transparency of job opportunities by advertising the location on the CUNY website that lists open positions. It will also disseminate the jobs website through email.

6. Governance and Staff

The Implementation Team will host an informational session explaining the current governance structures of the College. It will also host a staff-led discussion of the options for enhancing staff representation and voice in the governance structures of the College. The Team may decide to send a recommendation to the Governance Committee of Policy Council for consideration.

7. Changes in the Implementation Team

The Implementation Team itself is evolving with increased representation for faculty and staff. Professor James Lynch, Chairperson of the Department of Business Management, will also now co-lead the facilitation team. The Implementation Team will also welcome CLT and Gittleson representatives to join the Team.

Thank you, everyone, for your excellent suggestions related to staff. Please keep them coming. We are excited about this action plan.

Next week, we will update you on the concerns voiced at the listening sessions for students that occurred last week. As a reminder, we are hosting two listening sessions for faculty on Wednesday, September 30 at noon and at 6 p.m.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation on how to join the meeting.

If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please email: ITRJ@brooklyn.cuny.edu or use the anonymous Community Feedback Form.

Yours sincerely,

Anthony Brown, Ron Jackson, and James Lynch, on behalf of the Implementation Team for Racial Justice