Announcing UA's 2023 Student Scholarship Recipients

Each year UA awards several scholarships to students who demonstrate an active commitment to community service, especially in pursuit of social, economic or environmental justice. The UA Scholarship Committee is very excited to announce the recipients of this year’s scholarships. For more information on the scholarships and the people they were established to honor, click here or see below.

David Shiman Scholarship

Rachel Elliott is honored to be awarded this year’s David Shiman Scholarship. They are graduating with a BS in environmental science and a minor in Spanish. Over the past four years, they’ve become deeply embedded in the Burlington and broader Vermont communities, organizing around social, economic, and environmental justice, as well as food sovereignty and access to healthy soil. Most recently, Rachel has been organizing with Migrant Justice in pursuit of Milk With Dignity, and is excited to continue working with MJ and other powerful Vermont groups over the next several years. Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo.

Linda Backus Memorial Scholarship

Amelia Glickman is an undergraduate Sociology student with a concentration in Crime and Criminal Justice along with minors in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Biology, and Studio Art. She is president of the University of Vermont Prison Partnership club, which is dedicated to advocating for criminal justice reform and volunteering in the local women's prison. This summer, Amelia will continue her advocacy work as an intern for FreeHerVT, the Vermont chapter of the Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, where she will play a part in political organizing, and outreach in public schools. She is excited to begin research surrounding criminal justice reform while continuing her studies at UVM.

Jeffrey Brace Scholarships

Matthew Breunig is a first-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Social Work. They received their Bachelor of Science in psychology at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. During the 2022-2023 academic year, Matthew was the Will Miller intern for United Academics. During their time working for the union, Matthew dedicated their time campaigning for the part-time bargaining unit, and to make the Board of Trustees democratic. As such, they advanced their skills while interacting with state legislators to promote United Academics’ bill. Outside of the statehouse, they gained experience in frontline union efforts in events such as picketing and rallying. 


Maggie Pierce (she/her) is a junior at the University of Vermont majoring in History and Social Work. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys running, reading, and debating. She completes most of her economic and social justice service through the Lawrence Debate Union, including hosting public debates, engaging in research, and volunteering in local prisons. To Maggie, there is no greater tool than one’s voice, and she believes a key tenet of justice is empowering those who have been deprived of theirs. After graduation, she intends to attend law school, with a special interest in criminal and migrant justice.


Brittany Blakeman is a senior at UVM, graduating with a degree in Social Work. She is led to social work due to the inherent obligation to advancing social justice, human rights, and racial equity. Throughout her senior year, Brittany worked with Cathedral Square and SASH (Support and Services at Home) to ensure aging adults and those living with disabilities had accessibility to essential resources, combating loneliness and isolation, and promoting self-sufficiency for those aging in place/at home. Brittany will be continuing her work in the community at ONE Community Arts School in Burlington as an Infant Teacher, where she will continue to promote social and economic justice for marginalized families and youth.

More about our scholarships:

The David Shiman Scholarship of $1,500 is presented to a UVM senior or graduate student with an outstanding and sustained record of community service, especially in pursuit of social or economic justice. The scholarship is named in honor of David Shiman, long-time professor of education at UVM and past president of United Academics.

The Linda Backus Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 is presented to an undergraduate student for outstanding community service, especially in pursuit of social or economic justice. The scholarship is named in honor of Linda Backus, former UVM professor of education, committed union organizer, and second president of United Academics.

UA also awards three $500 Jeffrey Brace Scholarships to students with an active commitment to community service, especially in pursuit of social or economic justice. The scholarship is named in honor of Jeffrey Brace, an early 19th-century Black Vermonter, previously enslaved person and activist. Scholarship recipients are selected based on demonstrated involvement in community service, especially activities related to social and/or economic justice, in keeping with United Academics’ values.

UA workshop centers anti-racism + inclusive practices and celebrates Labor Spring

About 15 of us gathered on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 4th for an enlightening workshop and discussion with Prof. Charles Toombs of San Diego State University, who is also President of the California Faculty Association. The focus was on how to more effectively center anti-racist praxis in our union, especially given the vastly different racial/ethnic makeup of our membership as compared with California’s. The stated goal was to examine how systemic racism, white privilege and white supremacy culture operate in organizations, and learn how to use and talk about diversity, inclusion, antiracism, social justice, power, whiteness, white privilege, and white supremacy culture in accountable and transformative ways. The entire elected UA Executive Council was present, along with several others, including a representative of the staff union.

We learned of a variety of specific practices developed by the union in the California state university system, especially their explicit policy for interrupting manifestations of white supremacist thinking that may emerge in the course of their faculty experiences. We discussed several sample scenarios to help translate these ideas into praxis, along with some of the particular challenges we face at UVM, including the concerning rate of turnover of faculty of color who do come here.


The session, which was initiated by UA EC member Yoanda Flores, began with a brief presentation linking this workshop to 2 months of Labor Spring events happening across the US this March and April. Labor Spring was initiated by the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University and the Labor and Working Class History Association, especially by faculty members who were students during the nationwide wave of student support for union organizing during the mid-1990s. Support for unions, especially among young people, is even higher today and there are many high-profile organizing efforts on campuses and beyond. Labor Spring has now posted some 86 events at nearly 70 institutions, especially on campuses with current labor struggles. Our brief slide presentation on Labor Spring (adapted from the initiators’ longer slideshow) can be accessed here, and there is more information at https://lwp.georgetown.edu/9404-2/.

We believe this event represented an important affirmation of the commitment of UA leadership to do more consistent anti-racist work in our own organization and begin to more thoroughly walk the walk. EC members and others are excited and determined to move forward with steps to change the culture on campus and directly address existing shortcomings. Please stay tuned!

Goddard College Staff Union is On Strike and Needs our Support!

A week ago, a super majority of Goddard College’s unionized staff unanimously voted no confidence in President Dan Hocoy’s leadership and also to authorize a strike. Staff from across the campus – from kitchen workers to financial advisors – participated in person and via Zoom to take part in this historic vote.

Union members have received a huge outpouring of support from students, faculty, alumni, community members, and elected officials. Together we all share a commitment to a just, democratic, and thriving Goddard College. Please sign the petition in support of the Goddard staff union at https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/for-a-just-democratic-goddard-college.

The current president represents a significant departure from Goddard’s progressive roots and this shared ethos. For over a year, management refused to grant a modest cost-of-living adjustment of 3% without staff surrendering their right to negotiate on working conditions or agreeing to other economic concessions. Staff have already endured years of furloughs, layoffs, vacancies, overwork, and no cost of living adjustments. Hardship after hardship, staff have shown their faith and commitment to serving students, faculty, and the broader Goddard community to fulfill its mission. Union members are proud of the college and its mission and take this action as a last resort to ensure Goddard lives up to its values.

Update as of Fri. afternoon, 3/24: UA member Brian Tokar was at Goddard for the start of picketing at noon today. The pace of negotiations accelerated considerably as the strike approached, and the administration has backed away from an oppressive and unprecedented-for-Goddard ‘management rights’ clause. The sides are closer than before, but the economic conditions for staff are truly terrible.

Some staff members haven’t had a raise in over 10 years, and many have only received modest one-time pay bumps every 3-years.  Several people doing professional-level work in administrative offices are still paid less than $20/hour and some dining staff are still making $15/hour or less.  The administration is offering longer vacations in lieu of raises, but office workers can’t even take advantage of their current vacation benefits due to extreme short-staffing.

Goddard staff members and supporters on the picket line, 3/24/23.

Goddard staff members and supporters on the picket line, 3/24/23.

Students are on campus for their semester residency (all programs at Goddard now are low-residency with students only on campus for a week at the beginning of each semester), and several are actively supporting the strike. There has also been an outpouring of support from other unions, including officers of the VT AFL-CIO. Stay tuned here for further updates and please sign the petition in support of the strikers’ demands at https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/for-a-just-democratic-goddard-college.

Liz Medina, ED of the VT AFL-CIO, reported on Sunday morning 3/26: “Still on the line! Picket today will run until 4 pm.”

Highlights from Part Time Faculty 'Fair Contract Now' Rally, 10/20/22

Great energy and solidarity from UVM students, United Academics full time faculty, UVM Staff United, AFT Vermont, Vermont State Labor Council AFL-CIO, Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, and the Burlington community. Stay tuned for more calls to action!

UA Announces 2022 Student Scholarship Recipients!

Each year UA awards several scholarships to students who demonstrate an active commitment to community service (paid or unpaid), especially in pursuit of social, economic or environmental justice. The UA Scholarship Committee is very excited to announce the recipients of this year’s scholarships.

Linda Backus Memorial Scholarship

Marissa Cobeo

Marissa Cobeo is a graduating senior in the College of Education and Social Services at the

University of Vermont. She is receiving her Bachelors in Social Work and minored in the

Education of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity. Marissa has been very involved working with the

BIPOC community in Burlington Vermont. Over the past 6 years, she has worked closely with

Refugee youth and families in various programs. She has many years of advocacy experience in

the field such as requesting and facilitating training for people working with minority youth,

meeting with schools and community programs, and planning equitable programming. Marissa

will be continuing her social work journey by attending NYU in the fall for an MSW.

David Shiman Scholarship

Ali House

Ali House is honored to be this year’s recipient of the David Shiman scholarship. In the 1960s,

David Shiman used his voice to advocate for fair housing legislation and other critical issues.

Today, Ali and her community continue similar fights right here in Burlington. Ali credits her

time at UVM, especially the Social Work Department, with helping her find her voice. Through

her educational experience, Ali found the language to describe the injustices she has seen and felt

in the world. She believes that language (and the refusal to be silent) liberates and empowers

people. She plans to continue using her voice to stand for justice.

Jeffrey Brace Scholarship

Molly Gress

Molly Gress is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, graduating with majors in

Economics and Environmental Studies and a minor in Community and International

Development. While at UVM, Molly interned with Sustainable Transportation Vermont (STVT)

in her sophomore year and interned with a political organization known as Rights and

Democracy (RAD) during her junior year. She utilized her knowledge of transportation and

environmental issues in the STVT internship to work on a local biking initiative. While interning

with RAD, she worked towards bettering her community organizing and communication skills to

work on local social and environmental justice issues. After graduation, Molly hopes to gain

opportunities that bring both the field of economics and the environment together.

Caitlyn Kutash

Caitlyn Kutash is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences pursuing a double major

in political science and sociology with a concentration in crime and criminal justice. This year

she interned with the Office of the Federal Public Defender and the Chittenden County Public

Defender’s office where she assisted attorneys and investigators with criminal defense casework

on behalf of indigent clients. Last year, she volunteered at the East Allen Dismas House in

Winooski to create a resource manual for the residents to support their reintegration into their

communities after prison. Through her internship experiences and coursework, Caitlyn has

become an advocate for investing in community-based alternatives to incarceration. She hopes to

attend law school in the future.

Emily Wanzer

Emily Wanzer is a senior studying geography and history, with curiosity and love for the natural

world and belief in the power of disability justice. They have written about food justice

initiatives across the state of Vermont and are working on a thesis about human-tree

interconnection amidst settler colonialism. They are currently learning a lot about organizing

through work with Resource Generation, which organizes young people with wealth and class

privilege to become leaders working towards the redistribution of wealth, land, and power. Emily

lives with loving housemates next to pigeon and squirrel friends and plays on UVM’s ultimate

Frisbee team.

Hannah Wong

Hannah Wong is a recent 2022 graduate of the University of Vermont. During her time at

UVM, she discovered her passion for social work and hopes to continue in this caring profession

going forward. She shows her commitment for social justice through her position as the

coordinator of the Social Justice Coalition of the UVM Outing Club, and through previous

mentoring and leadership positions. Outside of the classroom, she most enjoys recreating

outdoors, reading, and spending time with friends and family. Hannah will continue her social

work journey in Seattle, Washington this fall.

More about our scholarships:

The David Shiman Scholarship of $1,500 is presented to a UVM senior with an outstanding and sustained record of community service, especially in pursuit of social or economic justice. The scholarship is named in honor of David Shiman, longtime professor of education at UVM and past president of United Academics.

The Linda Backus Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 is presented to an undergraduate student for outstanding community service, especially in pursuit of social or economic justice. The scholarship is named in honor of Linda Backus, former UVM professor of education, committed union organizer, and second president of United Academics.

UA also awards three $500 Jeffrey Brace Scholarships to students with an active commitment to community service, especially in pursuit of social or economic justice. The scholarship is named in honor of Jeffrey Brace, an early 19th-century Black Vermonter, previously enslaved person and activist. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on demonstrated involvement in community service, especially activities related to social and/or economic justice, in keeping with United Academics’ values.

BFP: UVM wage gap is at the center of staff union efforts. How much does the president make?

https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2022/05/13/university-vermont-union-efforts-to-close-wage-gap-crux-uvm-conflict/9716586002/

“Full-time staff salaries at UVM are as low as $27,300 for library support assistants, $27,500 for research assistants, and $28,430 for technical support generalists.

These salaries are all less than the minimum needed to afford rent in Burlington, according to a 2021 cost of living report published by the non-profit National Low Income Housing Coalition.

The report found that the average renter in Burlington needs to make at least $39,178 per year to afford a one-bedroom apartment, and $49,258 to afford a two-bedroom apartment.

"I have had to get a second job just to get by,” UVM program support generalist Crispina Pincus said at a university town hall meeting on Feb. 17. “I didn’t want to work two jobs, working 13 to 15 hours a day. I’m not a superhuman, I get tired.”

UA Endorses Migrant Justice May Day Events

UA has endorsed the following May Day events being held by our friends at Migrant Justice:

March to the Burlington Hannaford’s @ 1:30 PM. Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/3184991001783329/?ref=newsfeed

Rally at the Middlebury Hannaford’s @ 11:30 AM. Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/4969388446511715?ref=newsfeed

 After the Burlington event, there will be food, music, and opportunities to learn more about MJ’s work at Centennial Woods park. Please consider supporting Migrant Justice in their campaign to hold Hannaford’s accountable for human rights issues affecting farm workers throughout their supply chains!

Anyone interested in volunteering at this event should contact Migrant Justice at info@migrantjustice.net

UA response to UVM's lifting of mask mandate

Dear Faculty,

UVM dropped its mask mandate on March 19, announcing the change to the entire community on March 16. Our Executive Council met to discuss how best to respond to this and to consider what options there may be for faculty who could be imperiled by this shift. We requested that UVM delay the lifting of the mask mandate by one week to give us more time to prepare, and to let more time pass after UVM spring break and after the Burlington school system lifted its mask mandate for all schoolchildren on Monday. They were not willing to delay this.

We asked the administration if faculty will be able to require masks in their own classroom. Gary Derr indicated that faculty cannot require this. However, as faculty you can discuss masking with your classes and request mask-wearing if you or a student in your class is particularly vulnerable. We consider this to be a reasonable option and a way to care for one another and our community. This would be a similar situation in an office setting or during office hours or meetings. 

We have also indicated our position that faculty who are or have family members who are particularly vulnerable should be able to shift to remote instruction as the mask mandate is lifted. The administration has indicated that this would only be possible in cases where there is a documented medical condition or special circumstance.

We are disappointed, but not surprised, that the administration did not approach us sooner to share this with us or to invite faculty feedback. (However, the administration anticipated this plan long enough in advance to script, record, and produce Garimella’s “Ensuring Student Success” video, which was released on March 17.)

  • If you plan to request special arrangements or a longer term modality change, we encourage you to contact us so we can support you in the process.

  • Remember that if you need to take a short-term ‘leave’ (sick days, children’s sick days, etc.) for less than two weeks, you can make arrangements with your Chair, which could include short-term remote instruction, in accordance with Article 20.6.

  • Email the Provost and President to share your concerns, and copy info@unitedacademics.org so we can track these. 

  • If you encourage continued mask wearing in class or office and encounter any issues, please let us know. We will be following this situation closely and will work with individual faculty who need support.

Contract Tip: Changes to summer course pay

Faculty can view this and other contract tips as PDF documents on our Contract Tips page.

Dear UA faculty,

Be advised that the pay rate for summer courses will be different this summer 2022 than in the past. As a result of our most recent negotiations with the administration, the pay rate for this summer will be $2518 per credit (2.75% of the average full time faculty base salary). The Collective Bargaining Agreement relevant article (19.6.b) says: "Effective for the summer session of 2022, summer session course rates shall be the same as the supplemental rates specified in Section 3.c.i of this Article or 2.75% of the average (mean) base salary of bargaining unit faculty, (as adjusted for 1.0 FTE as necessary, calculated as of December 1 of the year preceding the summer session) for each credit hour taught, whichever is greater."  

The average bargaining unit faculty salary on Dec. 1 (adjusted to 1.0) was $91,558, and 2.75% of that is $2518.  This is greater than the 19.3.c.i rate of $2100, so the pay rate for this summer will be $2518 per credit for all full time faculty. This change is only in effect for this summer, unless UA and the administration renegotiate this. 

We are aware that some administrators had sent out a communication with a different interpretation of this, so hopefully this clarifies the 2022 summer course rate. Please let our Contract Administration Committee know if you have any questions: contract@unitedacademics.org.