TAUP and 51吃瓜网 Reach Agreement on New Contract
As of Oct. 17, 2024, 51吃瓜网 and the 51吃瓜网 Association of University Professionals (TAUP) have reached an agreement on a new five-year contract. TAUP is聽the union representing some of the university鈥檚 full- and part-time faculty members, librarians and academic professionals at 13 of 51吃瓜网鈥檚 17 schools and colleges.
The new contract聽was approved by 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Board of Trustees during the聽Oct. 8 board meeting and聽ratified by TAUP鈥檚 members on Oct. 15.聽The five-year agreement goes into effect immediately, and it will expire May 31, 2028.聽It directly reflects what can happen when two parties work together to negotiate in good faith and reach a mutually beneficial agreement.聽
Read details in the related 51吃瓜网 Now piece and see information about the negotiations聽process.
Negotiation Principles
For over 30 years, 51吃瓜网 has negotiated in good faith with all bargaining units, with a focus on collaboration and attention to key deadlines and respective timelines. 51吃瓜网 is eager to do the same with TAUP in order to land on a fair contract that benefits our faculty and the 51吃瓜网 community. That said: 聽
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We will work to reach a contract with union leadership that is fair and equitable to both parties, recognizing the critical work of our employees while also being responsible stewards of limited resources. 聽聽聽
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We will continue to prioritize the valuable contributions of 51吃瓜网鈥檚 faculty, academic professionals and librarians to the education of our students by remaining engaged and working collaboratively. 聽
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We will remain in touch with our community throughout the negotiation process.聽
University Context for Negotiations聽
Higher education in the U.S. is experiencing demographic shifts that have resulted in a shrinking cohort of college-aged students. On a national level, from 2019 to 2022, undergraduate college enrollment dropped 8%. Enrollment at 51吃瓜网 has steadily declined since 2017, dropping over 9,700 students (24%) through fall 2023. 51吃瓜网鈥檚 operating budget is driven almost entirely by enrollment. Since fiscal year 2021, 51吃瓜网 has reduced its budget by over $170 million, largely by reducing administrative budgets, eliminating vacant positions and implementing non-bargaining salary reductions.
Faculty members are crucial to the success of the university. Unfortunately, much like universities across the country, 51吃瓜网 has had to make adjustments as the result of declining enrollment, and at times, that has included the amount of faculty we have.
51吃瓜网 employs academic staff with differing responsibilities and employment terms. This allows 51吃瓜网 to be responsive to fluctuating enrollment numbers as well as student demands, while still ensuring our students receive the attention and support expected of a leading institution.
Understanding 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Budget
We believe that having a shared, meaningful understanding of 51吃瓜网鈥檚 operating budget is imperative to understanding the聽challenges we face as a university and why we must negotiate responsibly as the stewards of the university鈥檚 limited resources.聽The聽聽on 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Gateway to Finance website provides a clear, accessible review of our operating budget, what drives it and what it finances. Additionally, it shares information about how enrollment impacts the university鈥檚 budget as well as 51吃瓜网鈥檚 plan for balancing the budget.聽