July 31, 2024
Today we got a TA on Academic Freedom!
While this is a big win after many sessions of negotiations, today’s session moved much more slowly. This summer we have worked hard to meet administration on non-economic proposals, balancing that against our commitment to the values that our members care about. We are getting to a point where, while we are still negotiating on many non-economic proposals, there is little left to introduce until the administration starts to bring economic counter proposals. When Ashley asked admin’s attorney Mark Bennett (MB) today about when we can expect economic proposals, he stated “it is too premature to talk about economics… it's going to be very difficult to resolve and we have some very difficult non-economic issues on the table”. While this is disappointing to hear, we need YOUR voices to be strong this fall semester to show that we will not back down from our member’s needs and values at the table.
Administration’s main message today is that they do not want to commit to anything above the bare minimum that the law requires. However, if our faculty only did the bare minimum in their jobs, ISU wouldn’t have record enrollment again this year. The Administration’s table team continues to stay rigid on topics that they believe will tie their hands or limit control, yet are not willing to be specific about ways in which faculty will be protected in safe facilities and working conditions, discipline, or ensuring equitable paths to tenure and promotion.
The outline of today’s session is below:
Admin Spokesperson Mark Bennett presented counter-proposals on Health and Safety, and Facilities. The Facilities proposal includes a new MOU (memorandum of understanding) that states they commit to install locks on newly constructed classrooms, and to make progress towards increasing locks on existing spaces. They also note they will make progress towards increasing the number of ADA-compliant all-gender restrooms and lactation spaces on campus.
MB noted they are holding on their Disability counter-proposal, stating that they will never agree to timelines about responses to accommodation requests.
MB also noted that our proposal on Name Change is not necessary because ISU policy works just fine, though they are working on the request for a list of third-party systems used by the university so that employees can have more agency to change their names as needed.
Ashley presented a counter-proposal on Academic Freedom with pared down language, that continues to state that in their individual courses, faculty have the freedom to select materials, determine pedagogy, develop assignments, and assess and evaluate student performance. And in collectively taught courses, faculty have the freedom to assign supplementary materials as they deem necessary.
Ashley then presented a package on Appointment Procedures, Promotion and Tenure, and Evaluations.
There was discussion about the use of dismissal vs. discharge in the Discipline article and its impacts
We caucused and discussed how to create movement in future sessions, and what actions would help to get economics into the discussion
In response to the major Tenure-Track faculty cuts happening at Western Illinois University, Ashley presented a package on Program Reorganization, Transfers, and Staff Reduction Procedures.
MB presented a counter-proposal on Academic Freedom that aligns with our member’s values, and we signed the Tentative Agreement (TA) at the end of the session
“Since MB keeps coming back to ultimately majority rules, perhaps his side would prefer language that says says tenure promotions are granted based on a simple majority vote of all at rank or higher tenure track faculty, including Chairs, Deans, Provost, and President (so long as those administrators are at least at rank). I mean if he wants majority rules, give it to him.” Gregory Ferrence, Chemistry
We NEED you to come out to future sessions! We have a lot of work ahead of us this month, but more visibility creates more pressure that will help us negotiate more agreements. We NEED your help to create movement. Join us at our upcoming bargaining sessions, we are excited to see you there!
Aug 7th 1-5pm, Stevenson 401
Aug 15th 1-5pm, SSB 130
Aug 23rd 1-5pm, Administrative Building 1 (AB1) 118
Aug 28th 9am-5pm, SSB 130