Earlier today the PSC received the decision by Judge Anil Singh on CUNY’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit contesting the original Pathways resolution passed by the Board of Trustees in 2011. Judge Singh decided in favor of CUNY’s motion to dismiss.

We are disappointed in the decision, but we are fully prepared to appeal. We maintain that the initial Pathways resolution was passed in violation of the law and feel confident that our position will eventually be upheld.

Nothing in the legal decision changes the terrible impact Pathways is having on our students or the importance of our collective fight for a curriculum that offers a meaningful college education. The sustained commitment to academic quality by the faculty and staff has already forced the CUNY administration to implement significant changes in the Pathways structure, as announced in CUNY’s February 3 memo. And the New York City Council has signaled its interest in oversight on Pathways by convening a hearing on the subject, to be held tomorrow, February 25, at 10:00 at City Hall. The shift in terrain on Pathways is the result of faculty and staff organizing.

Expect to hear from CUNY management about the legal decision, but keep in mind that the legal and political fights are far from over. Just two months ago an arbitrator denied a related effort by the CUNY administration to have the PSC’s grievance on the implementation of Pathways dismissed. The Professional Staff Congress and University Faculty Senate continue to work together on Pathways, and the union will now be able to present its case at the arbitration hearing. Pathways is wrong for our students, it represents a betrayal of CUNY’s mission, and we will continue our resistance.

Thank you to all who have supported this first stage of the legal fight; please join us in standing up for our students and for the bedrock principle of educational justice.

Barbara Bowen
President, Professional Staff Congress/CUNY

Terrence Martell
Chair, University Faculty Senate
February 24, 2014