Good morning. My name is Sheleta Camarda-Webb and I am the president of the State College and University Professional Association.

Chairperson Shapiro, Governors, Chancellor Brogan, University Presidents, Colleagues and guests:

I appreciate the privilege to be here today representing and reminding everyone about the commitment the State College and University Professional Association members have to serve, advocate and support the students who attend our universities. In addition, we know that all of our colleagues across each campus in the State System hold a similar commitment to our students and to their success. SCUPA employees are committed to partnering with you and all of the stakeholders in the State System to continue to provide quality and affordable education for our students and communities. We are all too familiar with the daily challenges to attend and remain at our universities- because they share their stories with us.

Like many of us in the room yesterday, my SCUPA colleagues waited with anticipation and much trepidation to hear the results of the NCHEMS study. And, while they gave us a great deal of information to move into action, I grabbed on to these few distinct messages:

• Student-centered
• Making connection 
• Courage to act
• Do our part

Upon hearing these I thought, “wow- they must really get what my colleagues and I do on a daily basis. Because, my SUA colleagues in admissions and welcome centers begin to make connections before students commit to our campuses- going into high schools and college fairs talking and sharing about what our universities have to offer towards their path to success. My SUA colleagues in financial aid make the connection with students and families helping them determine how they can fund their education; these connections continue with the staff in orientation, residence life, student programs and leadership, and with the career services staff who give students the tools to organize and wrap up their academic and co-curricular experiences into resumes and portfolios to launch them into a career or on to a professional degree. We do our part daily by advising student organizations, mentoring student leaders and collaborating with our faculty colleagues in programs, events and activities to provide valuable life lessons and experiences outside of the classroom. In addition, we are no stranger to having the courage to act. We do it every day- in our centers with the staff that provide support and advocacy to students who have been sexually assaulted; our staff in our AOD programs who talk with students about the use and possible abuse of alcohol and other substances; our student success facilitators who assist students who are experiencing academic concerns and folks like myself who have the privilege of having difficult conversations with our students and the entire campus community about racial, sexual orientation, gender identity and all of the other social justice concerns that are on the forefront in our nation and world. And, at the risk of sounding bias, you will not meet a more dedicated, student-focused, student-oriented or student-centered staff and administration than my colleagues who serve in student affairs. They wrote the book on student centered. It is a 24 hour 7 day a week operation at the universities. They answer the call, whether its early morning call from a parent who has not be able to reach their son or daughter or the 3 am call- that none of us ever want to get- of a student in crisis, with thoughts of or who has attempted suicide. 

 The SCUPA staff are dedicated to our students and our universities. Many of us have committed much of our adult lives to serving the students of the State System. And, I say with certainty that is NOT about the articles in the CBA. As the state president, I will acknowledge the purpose of our contract and my executive team’s commitment to ensuring that each side do their part to hold to the agreement. However, the daily focus of my colleagues is serving our students- not the CBA. You do not dedicate 5, 10 or 25 years of your life committed to paper, but to people. We show up every day, and often much longer than the typical workday, to serve our students. We cooperate and collaborate, with the faculty, administration, facilities staff and administrative assistants every day. Therefore, on behalf of my colleagues, today, I am asking the Board of Governors, Chancellor and State System leaders and university presidents for the same commitment to us. SCUPA members must be part of the conversation in the decision that impact the State System and its universities because much of what we do is imperative to student success. Whether or not we get a seat at these discussions is NOT a CBA issue; it is just the right thing to do. We have always and will continue to advocate, support and serve our students- with boots on the ground. We also want to be in the trenches with all of you, making the decisions that will ensure that the State System and our universities survive and thrive for our students, now and in the future. We look forward to working with you.

Thank you for your time.

S.J. Camarda-Webb