Dissertations and Theses Year-in-Review, 2025–26 Art by Fernando Martí (Justseeds) Today is Commencement Day at the Graduate Center, and we are again marking the occasion by […]

Welcome, Rachel Finn – Adjunct Reference Librarian (Dissertation Office) The Mina Rees library is pleased to introduce Rachel Finn, who has recently joined the Dissertation Office as an adjunct reference […]

Adopting Demands for May Day 2026 ResolutionThe following passed by those assembled at the April 21, 2026 Graduate Center Chapter meeting: Adopting Demands for May Day 2026 Whereas, International Workers Day (May 1) is both a commemoration of past workers’ struggles and a day of action and struggle for workers around the world; Whereas, the PSC-CUNY is mobilizing this May 1 with coalition partners including the NY Central Labor Council, the New York Immigration Coalition under the slogan “We will not be silent while immigrant New Yorkers are terrorized.” Whereas, the Trump administration continues to attack and oppress working people in the United States and around the world with physical, economic, and political violence; Whereas, we recognize that the Trump administration’s current attacks on immigrants are but an escalation and extension of the U.S. government’s long history of oppression of immigrants as an underclass of residents; Whereas, our union has a proud anti-war tradition in solidarity with the international working class; Whereas, the PSC-CUNY Executive Council issued a statement condemning the US war in Iran; Whereas, our colleagues known as the Fired Four were fired in an act of political retaliation for their pro-Palestine stances and activism as part of a neo-McCarythist offensive at all levels of government and educational institutions; Whereas, one of the Fired Four has still not been reinstated to her position; Whereas, we recognize the robust connections between CUNY-wide, city-wide, national, and international politics; therefore, be it Resolved, that the assembled members of the Graduate Center and Professional Schools chapter of the Professional Staff Congress support mobilizing as many people as we can on May Day and marching as part of the PSC contingent with the following slogans: ● Down with the US imperialism in Iran, Lebanon and Palestine ● Full rights for immigrants and international students ● Re […] “Adopting Demands for May Day 2026 Resolution”

Dr. Shannon Mattern Speaks at Friends of the Library Program We in the Mina Rees Library are delighted to welcome Dr. Shannon Mattern, Director of Creative Research at Metropolitan New York Library […]

Know Your Weingarten Rights Flyer Please save, use and distribute this flyer on Weingarten Rights created by GC member Aliqae Geraci:

Electronic Arts Intermix: Seeking CUNY Feedback! Librarians from CUNY libraries have been collaborating with the local arts nonprofit Electronic Arts Intermix to provide access to their […]

Notes from July 29, 2025 Chapter MeetingItem Discussion Action/Responsible Party Campaign for Fired 4 Background:  4 adjuncts fired by executive staff at Brooklyn College without Chairperson involvement.  Non-reappointment was due to conduct and the union disciplinary process was not used.  Two of 4 fired adjuncts were students at GC.  As far as legal action response, the grievance process has been initiated but is lengthy.  The definition of “conduct” is not known or how it was applied.  Visibility of the more than 14,000 adjuncts is important with activism of both PT and FT ally staff.  Shining a light on the coordination of these firings by CUNY is important. Brooklyn College union is organizing “no business as usual” actions including a teach-in or walk-out.  Details to be provided.  Recommendation is that other campuses follow in support. Reaching out to current politicians, including Zohran Mamdani, was discussed.  Support of these types of issues has been past practice. 1.     Action/Rally on July 31, 2025 at Brooklyn College at 4 PM 2.     After rally union social at Ox Tavern hosted by Brooklyn College and Graduate Center chapters 3.     Letter campaign on PSC CUNY website 4.     Information about a meeting on 8/14/25 to be provided International Student Visas The GC Chapter has a disproportionate number of students on international visas, SLU and GC in particular.  Trump administration is using social medial screening as a justification for cancelling visas.  It was reported that no one at SPH has been affected.  SLU labor lawyers may be useful resource.  The CLEAR Clinic at CUNY Law has a webinar for international students regarding rights and digital security for travel.  There is a WhatsApp chat available to share resources.  CUNY has resources for students on the website. The extent of this issue is not known and many students may not be reaching out. 1.  Consider a blast email to students to see if resources are needed. Non-CUNY email   PSC Immigration work PSC has led the way on monitoring legal cases.  They have provided Know Your Rights training, sent a petition with more than 7,300 signatures, and attend weekly court hearings.  Andrea Vasquez shared the many ways that ICE is capturing people at the federal hearings, especially if cases are dismissed or delayed.  PSC members attend with flyers in multiple languages with resources and Know Your Rights information.  Butterfly cards are used to gather contact information to follow up with vulnerable people.  Every Friday, members support those scheduled for court and have been present more than 220 times.  There is non-confrontational support provided to those who are scheduled for the hearings.  Not all go well and often people are apprehended. PSC has been collaborating with more than 10 other organizations in these efforts. ICE is scheduled to receive more than $50B from the federal government for their work. Many members who are active in this campaign have never been active before and the response is very meaningful.  While nothing done is illegal, it is important that it does not impact the person being helped in a negative way.  A felony charge can be added to their case if so. 1.  Training for members is both ad hoc and scheduled on the website.  Training is approximately 30-60 minutes. 2.  Training must be completed before attending a hearing. Other items CUNY Library is a resource for information   CUNY Central has informed schools that they can change their requirement for remote work agreements.  Andrea Vasquez asked for a copy of the email. 1. Members should reach out and see if anyone else has information about remote work agreements being changed. Next steps 1.Showing up to support individuals at Federal Court 2.Collaborating and supporting actions at Brooklyn College this fall 3.Att […] “Notes from July 29, 2025 Chapter Meeting”

An Archives Center for the Library We are delighted to share that the New York City Council and Manhattan Borough President’s office has awarded funds to the Graduate Center […]

Dissertations and Theses Year-in-Review, 2024-25 Today is Commencement Day for the Graduate Center, which means it’s also time for the annual round-up of dissertations, theses, and c […]

New Access to The Chief: A Voice for Workers We are happy to announce a new collaboration that has brought access to The Chief to all Graduate Center affiliates. The Chief is a New […]

October and December 2024 GC Chapter Meeting NotesWe held two Graduate Center chapter-wide meetings on October 31 and December 6, 2024 In our October meeting, we heard statements from each of our candidates running for 5 open alternate delegate positions. We had an open discussion of member issues. In our December meeting, we held elections for our open alternate delegate positions. The following members ran and were unanimously elected as alternate delegates and have now joined our chapter leadership: Rachel Duff Helena Najm Forrest Pelsue Joe Riccio Hart Zhang Following the election, we had a presentation and discussion on academic freedom led by the PSC Academic Freedom Committee. Members are encouraged to reach out to chair Tony Alessandrini with questions or concerns […] “October and December 2024 GC Chapter Meeting Notes”

Two Fellowship Opportunities: CLAGS and Student Newspapers Digitization Projects The Mina Rees Library has two graduate student funding opportunities for the Spring 2025 semester to assist with digitization projects in […]

Graduating Soon? Attend a Dissertation Office Info Session in December Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash The Dissertation Office has a number of upcoming online events that will answer any questions you […]

New and Featured Streaming Film Databases: Docuseek and Electronic Arts Intermix Introducing The Docuseek Complete Collection Docuseek streams essential independent, social-issue and environmental films to colleges, […]

September 2024 GC Chapter Meeting MinutesElection We held an election for chapter chair. Sofya Aptekar and Evan Rothman ran unopposed as co-chairs and were elected unanimously. Resolutions Two resolutions were brought to the meeting with urgency. Those assembled voted to review and vote on the resolutions within the September meeting. Both the PSC and NYCERS Israeli Investments Divestment Resolution and the Removal of Starbucks Products from the Graduate Center Resolution were passed by those assembled. Upcoming We have another scheduled chapter meeting in November, and will be looking to fill delegate vacancies before that meeting. Please be in touch with the chapter’s principal officers if you are interested in representing the Graduate Center Chapter in the […] “September 2024 GC Chapter Meeting Minutes”