Remembering Cyndee West

From United Academics Executive Board: 

January 12, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great sadness and devastation to have to tell you that Cyndee West, United Academics Contract Manager, unexpectedly passed away Tuesday, 5 January 2021. This is a great loss to her family and friends, and for our union. 

Those among us who knew and interacted with Cyndee are shocked at the sudden loss and shaken by the growing awareness of the magnitude of her positive impact on UNAC. Cyndee embodied the mission of UNAC at UA, and the loss of her passion, skill, and institutional memory will take time to absorb. We are mourning the loss of a generous person, a courageous champion, and, for so many faculty members at UA, a dependable friend who fearlessly stood by your side and fought for you when you felt your world was falling apart.

Cyndee started working for UNAC 23 years ago as our first administrative assistant. Because our union did not have much money at the time, the American Federation of Teachers provided a grant to compensate her position. Cyndee very quickly became the go-to person for all UNAC members and the heart and soul of our union. Cyndee鈥檚 passion for 鈥渕y Ph.D.s鈥 and her union members was unparalleled. Regardless of the circumstances, she stood ready to assist to the best of her abilities, and that best was unbelievable dedication to every union member, whom she loved.

We are communicating with Cyndee's family to work out how to honor Cyndee for her tireless service to UNAC, her unconditional love for all union members, and her friendship. We will let you know more about honoring Cyndee, as soon as possible. If you are so inclined, her family would appreciate cards and have asked that we refrain from sending flowers or other tokens of condolence at this time. The address they provided for cards is: The West Family, 280 Bentley Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99701.

Please refer any issues you were working on with Cyndee (or that you would have reached out to her for consultation) to UNAC President, Abel Bult-Ito, at abultito@alaska.edu or 907.978.2169.

We will miss Cyndee dearly and we will move forward striving to exemplify her example of strength, unity, dedication, and love.

In solidarity and sadness,

United Academics Executive Board
Abel Bult-Ito, President
Nelta Edwards, Treasurer
Sharon Chamard, Organizational Vice President - UAA Main Campus
Mara Bacsujlaky, Organizational Vice President - UAF Main Campus
Charla Brown, Organizational Vice President - UAS Main Campus
Rick McDonald, Organizational Vice President - Extended Sites

 

From University of Alaska Human Resources: 

January 12, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

Like so many others, we are deeply saddened by the death of Cyndee West, a very special person and friend to so many. We can think of no one more committed to the people of our university than Cyndee. She cared passionately about us all. She beamed with pride in our successes and gripped our hands with encouragement through our struggles. Most saw a committed faculty advocate and a champion of the labor process. We saw a colleague who would prefer to work collaboratively through an issue to arrive at what was right. She was deeply knowledgeable and we frequently sought her counsel, which she gave willingly and genuinely. 

Perhaps her most profound successes were behind the scenes, helping people one-on-one, with no need for fanfare or accolades. She noticed those who would otherwise go unnoticed and reached out with a message of encouragement, a call, or a visit. For anyone struggling, her message was 鈥淚鈥檓 here for you.鈥

Beyond her tireless commitment to the university, she was a dedicated and loving mother, an adoring grandmother, and a U.S. Air Force veteran of distinction.

We lost a counterpart, a colleague, and a dear friend. Although we are deeply saddened by the loss of Cyndee, we are inspired by her lifetime of selfless service, and by her tireless and unalloyed commitment to others-- especially the people of the University of Alaska.  

In Fondest Memory,
Steve Patin, Chief Human Resources Officer                
Tara Ferguson, Director of Labor and Employee Engagement