Salary, Benefits and Rights for Faculty
Elections
UFCT Officers are elected for terms of three calendar years. The Elections Committee is responsible for conducting fair and free elections during the Fall of the final year of current leadership terms. If you have any questions or concerns about the elections, please contact the Elections Committee at election@ufct1460.org.
Fall 2025 Election
UFCT 1460 Fall 2025 Election Plan
Developed and issued by UFCT 1460 Elections Committee for the Fall 2025 General Election
Tom La Padula (Chair), Romel Espinel, Mike Friedman, Harriet Harriss, Zach Slanger
The nominations and elections of UFCT 1460 officers will be conducted in accordance with the AFT Constitution, the UFCT 1460 Bylaws, and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA).
According to UFCT Bylaws Article III, Section 3, “The Elections Committee shall conduct all general and special elections and referenda of the organization.”
This election plan sets out rules that will, to preserve fairness, apply to all nominees and candidates; in accordance with the LMRDA, all nominees will be treated equally with respect to their opportunity to campaign. In order to restore trust in our union’s elections, the UFCT 1460 Elections Committee strives to make these rules as clear and transparent as we possibly can.
See Appendix A: Open Positions for descriptions of the duties of these officers and of the Executive Committee as a whole.
See Appendix B: Important Dates for a chronological list of all important dates and deadlines.
Eligibility
Eligibility to Nominate
All members in good standing are eligible to submit nominations (including self-nominations) for any or all of the four offices. Members may submit more than one nomination for each open office.
Eligibility to Be Nominated
According to UFCT 1460 Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section b, “A nominee must have been a member in good standing for at least one year prior to his or her nomination and have received at least four (4) supporting nominations, including self-nominations.”
Eligibility to Vote
All members in good standing are eligible to vote in a union election, provided they submit their union paperwork at least 30 days before the distribution of ballots.
Good Standing
A member in good standing is someone who is currently a member of the Local 1460 Pratt Institute bargaining unit, as per the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), has submitted union paperwork, and has paid union dues at any point during the current academic year.
Part-time faculty who teach only in the Spring semester are eligible to vote, provided they have paid union dues at any point in the prior Spring semester, except for those ineligible because they currently hold a managerial role excluded from the bargaining unit.
Nominations
Please note that, due to how our Bylaws were written, there is some overlap between the important dates/deadlines for nominating, campaigning, and voting. For a chronological list of all dates and deadlines, see Appendix B: Important Dates at the end of this document.
On Monday, August 18, 2025, a reminder of the upcoming election and a notice of the opening of the nomination period were sent to all members.
On Monday, September 1, 2025, a nominations form will be distributed to all members, along with this election plan for the 2025 UFCT 1460 General Election (see UFCT 1460 Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section a). The nominations period opens upon distribution of the nominations form.
Nominations Process
For each nomination, the Elections Committee will confirm the good standing of both the nominator and the nominee(s) with the Executive Committee. The result of this determination will then be communicated to the nominator and the nominee(s). This process must be completed within ten calendar days of the initial nomination (see Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section c). In the event of a negative determination, a rationale for the decision will be provided and the nominator or nominee(s) will have an opportunity to challenge the determination (see Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section c).
Once a first nomination has been determined to be valid, the Elections Committee will ask the nominee to confirm, via email, that they affirmatively accept the nomination (see Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section c).
Once a nominee has 1) been confirmed as a member in good standing, 2) received four nominations (including self-nomination) from confirmed members in good standing, and 3) confirmed affirmative acceptance of the nomination, the member will be considered a candidate for office.
Informational Meeting for Potential Nominees
On Monday, September 15, 2025, 12pm–1:30pm on Zoom the Elections Committee will host an informational session for members interested in becoming a nominee. This session will
review the open positions and their responsibilities as well as the nomination and election processes.
Nominations Deadline
The Elections Committee will accept nominations until 11:59pm on Sunday, September 28, 2025. This allows a full 28 days (the maximum allowed under our Bylaws; see Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section c) in order to provide as much opportunity as possible for potential candidates to consider whether or not to put their name forward and to secure the four nominations needed to become an official candidate
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Challenging Determinations of Ineligibility
Challenges to determinations of ineligibility must be filed with the UFCT 1460 Executive Committee by 11:59pm on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Challenges to determinations of ineligibility must be resolved by noon on Saturday, October 18, 2025. This concludes the nominations process (see Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section c).
Campaigning
First Meeting with Nominees and Candidates
On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 5pm–6:30pm on Zoom the Elections Committee will host a meeting for nominees and candidates to discuss the election process and campaigning rules.
Second Meeting with Candidates.
On Monday, October 20, 2025, 12pm–1:30pm on Zoom all candidates will be invited to meet with the Elections Committee to review the election process and the rules for campaigning, to determine the order of candidates on the ballot by drawing lots, to confirm how candidates would like their names to appear on the ballot, and to remind candidates of their right to inspect the membership list once prior to the distribution of ballots.
Inspection of the Membership List
Beginning Thursday, October 2, 2025, nominees and candidates will be allowed, one time, to inspect the UFCT 1460 membership list prior to the distribution of ballots (in accordance with the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act). Inspection of the membership list will happen in person. No nominee may make or receive a copy of the membership list or document it in any way. Nominees and candidates who wish to inspect the membership list should contact Treasurer Robert Ausch.
Campaign Restrictions
Federal law prohibits the use of any union or employer funds to promote the candidacy of any person in a union officer election. This applies to cash, facilities, equipment, office supplies, etc.
Federal law also requires that all candidates must be treated equally with regard to the opportunity to campaign and that all members may support the candidates of their choice without being subject to penalty, discipline, or reprisal of any kind.
Candidate Materials
Candidate Statements
Candidate statements shall not exceed 500 words, the equivalent of “one (1) side of a typewritten page” (Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section e). Statements should address: ● candidate qualifications;
● leadership experience;
● personal values and principles relevant to Union leadership;
● vision for the Union.
Some potential, but not necessary, topics to address may include approaches to: ● communication;
● availability to membership;
● the current state of higher education;
● collaboration;
● developing and growing solidarity;
● conflict and conflict resolution;
● supporting all faculty;
● Union culture.
Candidate statements may not include external links. (Candidates can always send out additional campaign literature via the Elections Committee; see Campaign Literature below.)
Candidate Portraits
Candidate portraits should be 150 pixels wide x 200 pixels high (w/ 72 PPI) and in .jpeg format.
Deadline to Submit Candidate Materials
By 11:59pm on Monday, October 20, 2025, all candidates must submit their candidate materials to the Elections Committee (election@ufct1460.org).
Distribution of Candidate Materials
Candidate statements and candidate portraits will be shared with membership on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, according to the order in which candidates will appear on the ballot. Candidate materials will also be added to the UFCT 1460 website in the same order.
The communication of candidate materials will also include a link to a form by which UFCT 1460 members may submit questions to be asked of all candidates for a given position at the Candidate Forums (see Candidate Forums below for more information).
Candidate statements and candidate portraits will also appear on the ballot.
Campaign Literature
In addition to candidate statements and portraits, candidates may share campaign literature with the membership at large via the Elections Committee.
The Elections Committee will comply with all reasonable requests related to the distribution of campaign literature, in the order such requests are made, and will treat all candidates’ requests equally, in accordance with the LMRDA.
We encourage candidates to stick to the issues and to discuss platforms rather than people.
Any expenses related to the distribution of campaign literature must be paid for by the candidate.
Requests for campaign literature distribution should be emailed to the Elections Committee (election@ufct1460.org).
Campaign literature may not include any external links.
Candidate Forums
The Elections Committee will hold two candidate forums during which candidates can share their qualifications and vision, explain their platform, and respond to questions from UFCT 1460 members. All candidates are invited to participate in these Forums, though no one is required to participate.
The Candidate Forums will be:
● Monday, October 27, 12pm–2pm on Zoom
● Wednesday, October 29, 5pm–7pm on Zoom
No one, whether candidate or UFCT 1460 member, may record or transcribe the Candidate Forums. This includes the use of AI companions and other digital transcription tools.
The membership at large will have the opportunity to submit potential questions to be asked at the Candidate Forums. Questions from membership should be for all candidates for a particular position (e.g., Treasurer), rather than for any individual candidate. (There will be an opportunity to ask questions of individual candidates toward the end of each Candidate Forum). The form to submit questions for each position will be included in the communication distributing candidate materials on Wednesday, October 22.
Election Notice
On Friday, October 17, 2025, the Elections Committee will email official notice of election for all contested positions to all UFCT 1460 members (in accordance with the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act).
Election
Creation of Ballot
On Friday, October 24, 2025, the Elections Committee will create the ballot for the 2025 UFCT 1460 General Election.
Distribution and Submission of Ballots
On Saturday, November 1, 2025, the Elections Committee will distribute digital ballots, using a digital elections platform, to all UFCT 1460 members eligible to vote in the 2025 General Election. Upon distribution of ballots, the election will officially be open.
Ballots must be received before 11:59pm on Monday, December 1, 2025; the election officially closes at 11:59pm on Monday, December 1, 2025.
Certification of Ballots and Announcement of Results
By 11:59pm on Sunday, December 7, 2025, the Elections Committee will certify the ballots and the election results. Election results will be announced immediately following certification.
According to Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section g, “In the event that one candidate fails to gain a majority of valid votes cast, a runoff election will be held at the beginning of the subsequent Spring semester.” Note that a majority requires a number of votes greater than 50% of the total valid votes cast.
In the case that no candidate for an office receives more than 50% of the total valid vote cast, the Elections Committee will organize and oversee a runoff election early in the Spring semester for the two top vote-earners for that office.
Election Records
As required by Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section f, the Elections Committee will securely store all election materials for a period of one year. This includes ballots, voter eligibility lists and the official ballot tally certification.
The Elections Committee will make every effort to provide a written report on the election process and outcome within 60 days of the election’s certification.
Challenging the Election
Candidates, voters, and UFCT 1460 members should contact the UFCT 1460 Elections Committee with any questions, complaints, or concerns about the nomination and/or election processes and procedures. When doing so, please refrain from making personal attacks or disparaging remarks about individual candidates.
Any violation of the rules set out in this election plan and/or our Union’s governing documents should be reported to the Elections Committee immediately so that corrective action can be taken, if necessary. According to Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section h, such challenges “must be filed within ten (10) calendar days upon the awareness of the alleged irregularity.”
Any member may challenge the results of the election by filing a written protest with the Elections Committee.
Any such communications should be made to the Elections Committee email address: election@ufct1460.org.
Disclaimer
The above rules are not all inclusive. Additional election rules or clarifications may be issued by the UFCT 1460 Elections Committee as needed during the nominations, campaigning, and voting phases of the election.
Appendix A: Open Positions
The following offices are to be filled in the 2025 UFCT 1460 General Election: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Each of these offices are ex officio members of the UFCT 1460 Executive Committee.
Elected officers will serve a 3-year term (see Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Sub-Section i). The term will start on January 1, 2026, and end on December 31, 2028.
See excerpts from our Constitution and Bylaws below, laying out the duties and responsibilities of each office and of the Executive Committee as a whole.
Constitution
Article V: Officers of the Union
5.1 The Union’s four (4) officers shall be: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. These four officers shall comprise of the organization’s Executive Committee.
5.2 All officers shall perform the customary duties and exercise the usual powers of such offices as specified in the Constitution or the Bylaws.
Bylaws
Article I: Duties of the Officers
1.1 President: The President shall be the chief executive officer of the the UFCT Local 1460 and shall preside at meetings of the Executive Committee and membership meetings. The President shall make decisions between meetings on the basis of organizational policy, making every effort to consult with Executive Committee, and shall have such powers as may be required for the exercise of those duties.
1.2 Vice President: The Vice President shall assist the President and assume the duties of that office in the absence of the President, and shall become President if that office is vacated.
1.3 Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, the payment of all bills, the annual audit of the union’s financial status which shall be disseminated to membership, for maintaining a budget, and for reporting the dues paying status of membership.
1.4 Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for the preparation of the minutes of the Executive Committee and of the membership meetings, and for their prompt dissemination to the membership, and shall maintain the non-financial records of the union.
Article II: Executive Committee
2.1 The Executive Committee shall meet monthly, or at the call of the President, or at the call of two (2) or more of its members, or at the call of the Delegates Assembly, for the purpose of
initiating, overseeing or revising the program of the organization and to conduct other business of the organization that is within its authority. A quorum for the Executive Committee shall be a majority of its members.
2.2 The Executive Committee with the assistance of the Treasurer shall prepare, establish, and present to the Delegates Assembly and the membership an annual budget in the month prior to the beginning of the fiscal year.
2.3 The Executive Committee shall employ all professional, technical, clerical, and support staff of the organization.
2.4 The Executive Committee shall establish the salary, benefits, and expense guidelines of any general officer who is employed by the organization.
2.5 The Executive Committee shall be empowered to make contracts and incur liabilities including the purchase of services, equipment, and real property, to borrow money, to secure such obligations by mortgage or other instrument, and to otherwise engage in financial transactions to the extent permitted by applicable law or statute. The Executive Committee shall have the power to sue, complain, and defend on behalf of the membership.
2.6 The Executive Committee shall be responsible for adherence to and enforcement of the Constitution and Bylaws of the organization.
2.7 The Executive Committee shall issue regular reports, including an annual report, to the Delegates Assembly and the membership.
Appendix B: Important Dates
Monday, September 1, 2025 Nomination form and election plan distributed; nominations period officially opens
Monday, September 15, 2025 12pm–1:30pm Nomination meeting: informational session for members regarding open positions and election process
11:59pm on Sunday, September 28, 2025 Deadline for receipt of nominations; nominations period officially closes
Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 5pm–6:30pm First meeting with nominees and candidates
11:59pm on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Deadline to file a challenge to a determination of ineligibility
Friday, October 17, 2025 Notice of election emailed to all UFCT 1460 members
Noon on Saturday, October 18, 2025 Deadline to resolve a challenge to a determination of ineligibility; nominations final after this point.
Monday, October 20, 2025, 12pm–1:30pm Second meeting with candidates
11:59pm on Monday, October 20, 2025 Deadlines for candidates to submit candidate materials
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 Distribution of candidate materials to all members
Friday, October 24, 2025 Elections Committee creates the ballot and adds candidate materials to the UFCT 1460 website
Monday, October 27, 2025, 12pm–2pm Candidate Forum #1
Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 5pm–7pm Candidate Forum #2
Saturday, November 1, 2025 Distribution of ballots to eligible voters; election officially opens
11:59pm on Monday,
December 1, 2025 Deadline to vote/submit ballot; election officially closes
11:59pm on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Deadline for certification of ballots and election results; elections results announced immediately after certification
2022/2023 Election
Election Timeline:
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January 30: Voting period begins, election ballots distributed to membership by email through eBallot
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March 1: Voting period ends
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March 7: Votes certified, elected officers announced
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May 15: Elected officers take office
Candidates for election (the hyperlinks will take you to the candidate statements):
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President: Kye Carbone, Darini Nicholas
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Vice President: Holly Wilson, Elæ Moss
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Secretary: Joan Wittig, Velina Manolova
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Treasurer: Steve Doloff, Jennifer Miller
For the sake of transparency all nominations are tallied below. Only those nominees with at least 4 nominations were eligible for candidacy.
President: Darini Nicholas, 36 nominations
President: Kye Carbone, 22 nominations
President: Holly Wilson, 3 nominations
Vice President: Elæ Moss, 38 nominations
Vice President: Holly Wilson, 23 nominations
Treasurer: Jennifer Miller, 38 nominations
Treasurer: Steve Doloff, 22 nominations
Treasurer: Tod Ayoung, 1 nomination
Secretary: Joan Wittig, 25 nominations
Secretary: Velina Manolova, 39 nominations
Secretary: Luis Alonso, 1 nomination
2014 Certified Election Results
Dear Members,
We would like to announce the results of today’s final election count:
Overall Participation was 51.94% (186 out of 387).
143 Members voted for candidate Kye Carbone.
43 Members voted for candidate Jenny Lee.
Yours in Solidarity,
The 2014 Election Committee
Luis Alonso
Linda Lauro-Lazin
Mark O’Grady
The final and official Certification of Results and Audit Report on Activity and Integrity provided by to us by our election agent, Votenet Solutions, is provided here.
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS for the 2014 Re-Run Election for
Union President of Local 1460 UFCT
Dear Members,
The election is on as of 12pm, Dec. 3, 2014.
Below is a copy of the voting instructions contained on the official ballot which you received directly from VoteNet on Dec. 3, 2014.
Please read your individual email and it’s voting instructions, with particular attention to the Username and Activation Code procedures, so that your individual vote may be properly executed and counted.
If you have NOT received a direct email from VoteNet containing your own personalized access codes and instructions for a valid voting experience please contact the Election Committee at election2014local1460@gmail.com.
Please remember to exercise your right to vote!
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS:
The system will ask you to enter your Username and Activation Code, (which will be sent to you); they will then ask you to create and confirm an 8-digit Password. Lastly it will ask you to login using your Username and Password. This three-step process keeps your vote secret and safe. No one has access to your password.
Note: the online ballot can be accessed from any smartphone or device that has full browser capabilities.
All of your choices are held in a secure database and are completely secret. No one has access to the choices you made. Both systems will give you a confirmation number. This number is proof to you that your vote has been successfully transmitted to Votenet’s secure database.
Online Ballot: https://eballotuv.votenet.com/ufct1460/
Username: ……………………
Activation Code: ……………..
For the Fall 2014 Re-Run Election for Union President of Local 1460 UFCT
IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY AND FAIRNESS, THE LETTER ACCEPTING CANDIDATE’S ELIGIBILITY AND OUTLINING THE ELECTION PROCEDURES, SENT TO THE CANDIDATES BY THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, ON NOV. 9TH, 2014, IS BEING PROVIDED BELOW FOR ALL MEMBERS TO SEE:
Union Letter to Kye and Jenny
This election will start on December 3rd at 12 p.m. Eastern and conclude on December 12th at 5 p.m. Eastern.
This election is being rerun due to a technical violation of the LMRDA that the union was made aware of after the December 2013 election.
The candidates have been asked to provide statements which will are posted on the Union website.
Method of polling will be by electronic balloting administered by Votenet.
You will receive an email and paper mailing from VoteNet instructing you how to cast your vote securely and privately.
If you are not able to vote for any reason, please contact the election committee below.
Please note that we the Elections Committee, will be sending out additional reminders and notification by email up to the time of the election but please be aware of this upcoming important election.
SPECIFIC VOTING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE PROVIDED BY VOTENET. We will post them on the website before December 3rd and as soon as they are available.
The candidates are Kye Carbone and Jenny Lee. Their election statements are provided below:
Candidate’s Statements:
Kye Carbone:
Kye Carbone for UFCT Local 1460 President: A Decade of Positive Faculty Accomplishment
I am honored to again be nominated for President of UFCT Local 1460.
Since 2003, I have faithfully served the office of Union President. I believe I have demonstrated the necessary strength, forthrightness, integrity, honesty, drive, focus, and transparency of means warranting leading our Union going forward.
Accordingly, I respectfully ask for your enthusiastic and affirmative vote.
Moreover, a vote for me is a vote of confidence for the Local’s elected officers: Emily Beall (VP), Holly Wilson (Secretary), and Dennis Masback (Treasurer). As a team, we are dedicated to strengthening faculty’s roles in academic life at Pratt Institute. As a Union, it is our individual acts that coalesce to form collective gains.
Three pillars constitute effective union governance: I. Contract enforcement, II. Grievance adjustment and III. Collective bargaining. I have a deep and demonstrable understanding of each. I led the negotiating team for our last three Contracts, which encompass twelve-years of verifiable gains in salary, benefits, rights and protections:
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annual percentage increases of 3+% a year;
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FT salary and PT rate increases, granting 10-15% at promotion;
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expanded health benefits for PT Faculty;
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expanded medical leave for PT Faculty, full medical leave for FT and CCE;
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increased sabbatical leaves for tenured Faculty;
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equity “adjustments” for FT Faculty;
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strengthened Academic Freedom to protect faculty’s right to input on curriculum
I continue to pledge my dedication and commitment to the challenges that invariably lie ahead and promise never to lose sight of the confidence and trust you have bestowed upon me.
In Solidarity,
Kye
Jenny Lee: Statement not provided by candidate.
Elections Procedures for Fall 2013:
1. Elections are held every third calendar year to fill three-year terms for the officer positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer (the “Leadership Team”). Elections occur before current officer terms end. The terms of current officers end December 31st, 2013.
2. The Elections Committee will be composed solely of member volunteers who do not currently hold an officer position and who do not intend to run for an officer position.
3. The Elections Committee is charged with holding elections by: 1) disseminating information about the nominations and elections process; 2) receiving and tallying nominations; and 3) conducting elections for contested officer positions.
4. These election procedures will be posted to the union website, and an email will be sent to all members in good standing to notify them of procedures and deadlines for the upcoming elections.
5. In order to be placed on the ballot as a candidate for one of the officer positions, a member must be nominated for that position by at least three (3) union members. Self nomination is allowed.
6. Each union member in good standing (no arrears of union dues) may nominate one person for each officer position. Agency payers are ineligible to vote or to be nominated for office.
7. Nominators must secure consent from the member being nominated and must include a telephone number and/or email where the nominee can be reached for verification.
Nominations that do not contain clear contact information will be disqualified.
8. There are two ways that nominations can be submitted. Union members may use the electronic nominations form or download and print a paper version of the form, which should be mailed to: Elections Committee, UFCT Office, 125 North Hall, Pratt Institute, 200 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205.
9. The deadline for nominations submission is December 2nd, 2013 at 5:00 pm.
10. On December 2nd, 2013, the Elections Committee will begin reviewing the list of nominees, verifying their status with the Union and their willingness to serve if elected. After reviewing the nominations, the Elections Committee will prepare ballots in accordance with NYSUT rules. At that time, Final Nominees will be asked to submit a half-page statement with respect to their qualifications and beliefs regarding the office they are seeking. After all materials from the candidates have been received, voting guidelines and a link to our electronic voting service will be emailed to union members.
11. Should there be only one nominee for a particular officer position, the Elections Committee will not hold an election and the single nominee will assume the officer position for which she was nominated. Should there be no nominees for a particular officer position, the Elections Committee will inform the current leadership team, which will be responsible for soliciting nominees.
2013 Union Elections Nomination Form:
Instructions:
1. You can nominate one Pratt Faculty Union member per office for one or more of the offices listed below.
2. Contact information (yours as well as for all people you nominate) must be included for the nomination to be considered.
3. Consent must be obtained from the nominee prior to submission.
4. To submit your nomination electronically, please fill out the form below, complete the SPAM prevention step, and hit the “Submit Your Nomination(s)” button.
5. There are two ways that you can confirm that your nomination was successfully submitted: you should see a confirmation message beneath the form after you have submitted it and you will also receive a copy of the nomination to the email address you entered in the form.
6. Frustrated by the electronic form? Try downloading the printable/mailable nominations form.
7. Problems or concerns about this process? Contact the Elections Committee here.
The nomination form is no longer available because the deadline for 2013 nominations has passed.
