Academics
Office Of Academic Affairs
The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) supports the mission of the School of Labor and Urban Studies by striving to offer an educational environment that embraces access, diversity, and social justice. The Office of Academic Affairs promotes excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, professional service, and community engagement. Furthermore, the Office is responsible for supporting the work of the faculty, whose teaching, scholarship, and service are the foundation of the intellectual community that is the cornerstone of student success.
With a mission to remain faithful to the principles of the School of Labor and Urban Studies, the Office of Academic Affairs thus seeks to provide an environment in- and outside the classroom that is resolutely committed to creating a unique partnership between the City University of New York, organized labor, worker centers, and community-based organizations. This is the promise offered to students: If you have the ability and training to see the value of education and apply it, you will find the creative power to directly engage the world. And this will have a direct bearing on all you wish to accomplish.
Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Gladys Palma de Schrynemakers, gschryne@slu.cuny.edu Interim Executive Assistant to the Dean, Pearl Shavzin-Dremeaux, 646-313-8356
Program Descriptions
The CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU)’s core values are social justice, diversity, and access to higher education. We seek to expand opportunities for working adults; develop the next generation of labor and community leaders; and become the pre-eminent intellectual center for learning and research related to workers and poor and working-class communities. To accomplish its goals, SLU offers a robust set of programs, services, and activities in Labor Studies, Urban Studies, research, workforce development, and service to the community.
Labor Studies
The Department of Labor Studies promotes the study of the labor movement and worker organizing in New York City and beyond. Our courses expand our students’ and the broader community’s understanding and analysis of work and workers, the institutions and organizations that serve working class communities, and the issues these communities face – in the past and present, locally and globally. Our certificate and degree programs help to develop current and future leaders of the labor movement, not only in unions but also in worker and community organizations that work alongside and in solidarity with organized labor.
The Department of Labor Studies provides the following degrees and certificates:
- MA in Labor Studies
- Certificate in Labor Studies
- Advanced Certificate in Labor Studies
- Certificate in Labor Relations
- Advanced Certificate in Labor Relations
Department Chair, Ruth Milkman, rmilkman@gc.cuny.edu
Administrative Coordinator, VACANT, 646-313-8476
Urban Studies
The Department of Urban Studies is an interdisciplinary program devoted to the study of the city. Shaped by its long and enduring ties to the labor movement and community-based organizations, the Department of Urban Studies is committed to both producing cutting-edge urban research and providing students with the intellectual and practical tools they will need to affect urban change. Given its location, the department uses New York City as a laboratory to explore how cities—their politics and policies, economy, and social structure— impact workers, working-class communities, and other marginalized groups. In addition to offering students a strong theoretical background to urban debates, the department also provides students with a wide array of service-learning opportunities and the ability to apply their learning to the real world.
The Department of Urban Studies provides the following degrees and certificates:
- BA in Urban and Community Studies
- MA in Urban Studies
Certificate Programs:
- Certificate in Public Administration and Policy
- Advanced Certificated in Public Administration and Policy
- Certificate in Healthcare Leadership and Advocacy
- Certificate in Leading Change in Healthcare Systems
- Certificate in Community Leadership
- Advanced Certificate in Community Leadership
- Advanced Certificate in Workplace Democracy and Community Ownership
Department Chair, Steven London, steven.london@slu.cuny.edu
Administrative Coordinator, VACANT, 646-313-8476
Program Expectations
We ask that you make your expectations for the course clear to students at the beginning of the term, both regarding what they will learn and how their learning will be evaluated during the course. Please review the course goals and objectives, evaluation criteria, and assignments on your syllabus.
Please identify, in the early weeks of class, methods of problem solving that you would encourage students to utilize if they are finding their learning experience is hindered in any way. This could relate to the content of the course materials or the classroom interactions. (e.g. too many reading assignments, reading too abstract, assignments too complicated, one student or a clique dominating classroom discussion being bothered by another student).
Students should be encouraged to see themselves as part of community of learners. Sometimes it is helpful to have the class generate a list of “guidelines” that would maximize the learning process for all students.
SLU is committed to providing a learning environment that enhances the dignity and worth of every member of its community. To this end, the community must endeavor to be free from discriminatory conduct of any kind. Please be aware of interactions between students so that you can identify problematic situations and consult with the department chair to develop solutions.
To order books through Akademos, visit https://slu.textbookx.com/institutional/index.php. Our Science Resources Librarian, Mason Brown mbrown3@gc.cuny.edu, or our Enrollment Registrar Director, Laurie Grimes laurie.grimes@slu.cuny.edu, would be happy to help.
Syllabus should be submitted to Administrative Coordinator, VACANT, no later than two weeks prior to the start of the semester. For a syllabus template, see Appendix A.
Key Academic Policies And Procedures
Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty is prohibited in the City University of New York. Penalties include academic sanctions, such as failing or otherwise reduced grades, and/or disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or expulsion. If faced with any type of plagiarism, please consult directly with your department chair.
Student Attendance & Grading:
Instructors receive a class roster at the beginning of the term. Inform your students they must notify you if they cannot come to class. Please remind them that it is also their responsibility to obtain all class assignments that were missed. Instructor’s must report Verification of Enrollment to the registrar by the end of week four of class.
It is also a student’s responsibility to notify the instructor and the academic advisor if he/she wishes to withdraw from as well as adhere to CUNY deadlines for withdrawal.
Undergraduate Grading Policy
The undergraduate grades reflect assessment by the instructor of key course components. The following grades are assigned with their corresponding point values:
| Letter Grade | Percent Range | GPA |
| A | 93 – 100 | 4 |
| A- | 90 – 92.9 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87 – 89.9 | 3.3 |
| B | 83 – 86.9 | 3 |
| B- | 80 – 82.9 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77 – 79.9 | 2.3 |
| C | 73 – 76.9 | 2 |
| C- | 70 – 72.9 | 1.7 |
| D | 60 – 69.9 | 1 |
| F | < 60 | 0 |
Graduate Grading Policy
The graduate student's CUNY SLU grade (A, B, C, or F) reflects assessment by the instructor of key course components. The following grades are assigned:
| Letter Grade | Percent Range | GPA |
| A | 93 – 100 | 4 |
| A- | 90 – 92.9 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87 – 89.9 | 3.3 |
| B | 83 – 86.9 | 3 |
| B- | 80 – 82.9 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77 – 79.9 | 2.3 |
| C | 70 – 76.9 | 2 |
| F | < 70 | 0 |
INC – Incomplete This is a temporary grade. The outstanding work must be completed by the end of the following fall or spring semester. If the work is not completed on time, the INC is converted to a permanent grade of F on the record. The course instructor may grant the INC at the request of the student if participation requirements have been met and the only outstanding work is a paper, project, or examination. The instructor has the right to refuse a request, and can set a time limit for completion that is shorter than the end of the following semester. When the course work is completed and the final grade received, the INC grade will be replaced; a notation will be made on the student’s transcript on the date of change. An “Incomplete Agreement” form must be filled out and signed. See Appendix B.
Withdrawal Policy
Students who wish to withdraw from a course should consult with their academic advisor. The advisor and the student will review the reason for withdrawal and discuss both academic and nonacademic impacts (loss of credit, lack of progress toward completion of the degree, repeated withdrawals that can lead to dismissal). Students receiving financial aid will be advised to contact the financial aid office to determine the effect on their financial aid award.
W – Withdrawal A permanent grade requested by the student after the Add/Drop period, and before the deadline in the academic calendar. It does not affect the grade point average.
WA – Administrative Withdrawal This grade, which does not affect the grade point average, is administratively assigned.
WU – Unofficial Withdrawal This grade is used when class participation has been established at least once in a term. Effective Fall 2021, WU grade will not have punitive impact on student’s GPA. WU grade will continue to be used to denote Unofficial Withdrawal.
WD –Withdraw Drop A non-punitive grade initiated by a student when a class is dropped via CUNYFirst after the financial aid certification date but before the published withdrawal period. The course and grade will not appear on transcripts.
WN – Never Attended A non-punitive grade assigned to students who never attended and did not officially withdraw.
GRADES DUE: All grades are due 7 days after the last day of class.
Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy
Every member of the CUNY community, including students, employees and visitors deserves the opportunity to live, learn and work free from sexual harassment, gender-based harassment and sexual violence. The University has professionals and law enforcement officers who are trained in the field to assist student victims in obtaining help, including immediate medical care, counseling and other essential services. If you experience or observe any form of sexual harassment and/or sexual assault you should contact your Title IX Coordinator, a Public Safety Officer, or the Student Affairs Office. CUNY encourages all cases involving any form of sexual violence and/or stalking to be reported to the NYPD.
For more information, visit the SLU Title IX webpage for School-specific resources.
Credit Hour Policy & Compliance
The CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies degree and certificate programs are approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies credit hour calculations for degree and certificate programs follow NYSED guidelines, which are based on the U.S. Department of Education’s definition of credit hour.
The faculty of the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies is responsible for all aspects of the curriculum and degree program requirements. Each school has a faculty curriculum committee that reviews proposed new and revised courses and degree programs, including the credit hours associated with each.
NYSED – Credit Hour Definition
All courses and degree programs at the School must comply with Section 50.1 (o) of the New York State Commissioner of Education Regulations:
Semester hour means a credit, point, or other unit granted for the satisfactory completion of a course which requires at least 15 hours (of 50 minutes each) of instruction and at least 30 hours of supplementary assignments, except as otherwise provided pursuant to section 52.2(c)(4) of this Subchapter. This basic measure shall be adjusted proportionately to translate the value of other academic calendars and formats of study in relation to the credit granted for study during the two semesters that comprise an academic year.
Source: NYSED Commissioner’s Regulations Concerning Program Registration: 50.1 Definitions
United States Department of Education – Credit Hour Definition
The U.S. Department of Education defines credit hour as: An amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:
one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out- of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or,
at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education expects all candidate and accredited institutions to demonstrate that they use acceptable and consistent methods for assigning credit hours to all courses and programs of study. The credit hour is defined by the U.S. Department of Education as a basic institutional measure of the level of instruction and academic rigor that establishes eligibility for federal funding.
1 credit = 15 hours per semester
3 credits = 45 hours per semester
4 credits = 60 hours per semester
Credit hours = 750 minutes per semester, 50 minutes x 15 weeks
Source: MSCHE Credit Hour Policy Effective August 23, 2012 Rev. October 30, 2012
Verification of Enrollment (VOE) Rosters
Per a CUNY Verification of Enrollment directive, each semester the College faculty are required to submit Verification of Enrollment (VOE) rosters through CUNYFirst. VOE Rosters are important to complete by the deadlines because students' financial aid may be dependent on timely submission of the VOE Roster.
Instructors will be notified via email when VOE rosters will be available on CUNYFirst. Rosters are due no later than the date indicated below:
Instructions:
- Log into your Faculty Center on CUNYFirst -> Navigate to the VOE roster tab -> Select your class using this icon: (Note: The roster contains only students who are enrolled for the class. No dropped or withdrawn students are listed on the roster.)
- The default value for the attendance radio button is “Yes, attended.”
- Select “No, never attended” for any student that has never attended.
- Click the save button.
- Once the Verification of Attendance Roster is complete, click the submit button. (Note: Clicking the submit button disables the roster for any future changes.)
- You will receive the message: “This roster has been submitted to the Registrar.”
- VOE has been completed.
Once a roster is submitted you cannot change it. That can be done only through an email to the Registrar. A student’s financial aid is dependent upon your certification of enrollment.
Final Grades
Final grade rosters will be made available in CUNYFirst on the last day of classes. Instructors will be notified via email that rosters are available, with instructions for posting grades. Final grades should be posted 72 hours after the final exam, no later than 11:59PM on the dates below:
| Fall 2022 | Spring 2023 | |
| Available | September 1 | February 1 |
| Due | September 14 | February 14 |
If you have any concerns regarding final grades, consult our Grading for Final Grades guidelines in Appendix C.
Important: You must choose "SUBMIT TO REGISTRAR" from the drop-down menu and then click on the "POST" button, in order to transmit your grades to the Registrar. If you do not choose "SUBMIT TO REGISTRAR”, grades will not be processed.
Change of Grade Request
Change of grade request can be made by instructors by completing the Change of Grade Request form. This form should be completed by the instructor and submitted to the Office of the Registrar. There may circumstances that would require additional signatures of department chairs, or Associate Dean of Academic Affairs approval. To view the form, see Appendix D.
SLU AND COVID
Our first priority as a School is the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. Fall 2021 will be hybrid and some in-person classes and we anticipate that Spring 2022 will be in-person.
For policies, updates, and all COVID related resources, please visit