MTU AAUP

Letters in support of MTU-AAUP

Click on images to enlarge.

From Lisa C. Klein, Professor of Materials Science & Engineering, Rutgers.

From Thomas J. Peters, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and Professor of Mathematics, University of Connecticut.

From Frank Owen, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Comments from Professors Mullins and Nelson

Mike Mullins, Professor of Chemical Engineering, calls on the petitioners to put more trust in their colleagues, and Professor Paul Nelson of the School of Business and Economics, similarly comments that "great" universities are run by the faculty, not the administration. See the emails in the continuation of this post.

Across-the-Board Increases Provide Floors, Not Ceilings

We are negotiating for across-the-board salary adjustments as one component of raises awarded to faculty. Research universities including those in the University of California system and the Florida system use across-the-board or cost-of-living adjustments to help raise the average salaries to attract good faculty. Governor Granholm has also recognized the value of minimum increases in her proposal for higher education funding for 2009 which provides for a 2.3 percent minimum increase to all universities.

For more specific information, read the continuation of this post.

Protecting academic freedom and tenure

The AAUP was founded in 1915 in order to protect academic freedom and tenure. In 1973, the AAUP adopted collective bargaining, stating that it is an effective instrument for achieving the basic purposes of the AAUP. At Michigan Tech, we have good reasons to believe that collective bargaining is essential to protecting tenure. For details, read the continuation of this post.

Does a faculty union protect incompetence?

As faculty ourselves, we, too, are concerned about faculty who appear to be a drain on their departments. For an explanation of how the AAUP will work with faculty and administrators to help ensure a competent and productive faculty, read the continuation of this post.

Research Universities with Collective Bargaining

Many top-ranked research universities have collective bargaining. In addition, all of Michigan Tech's peer institutions that can have collective bargaining do have collective bargaining. For details, read the continuation of this post.

What qualities does a nationally recognized university have?

Nationally recognized research universities vary: a combination of factors contribute to their status. A faculty contract can address some factors, but the administration must also address some. For a comparison of Michigan Tech to research universities we aspire to emulate, read the continuation of this post.

Why Is Getting a Contract Taking So Long?

Click on the image at left to see. Of the 34 months since negotations began, we have been in active negotiations for only 13 months. Decertification petitions have kept us out of negotiations for 21 months.

Low Faculty Salaries

Low salaries at Michigan Tech make it difficult to attract and retain excellent faculty. In a presentation at the Board of Control meeting on December 14, 2007, Martha Sloan, President of the University Senate, asked, "Can we become a world class university with salaries that are worst in class?"

For details, see the charts in the continuation of this post.

FAQs

In the continuation of this post, you will find downloadable answers to questions about negotiations, salaries, benefits, and how a contract strengthens academic freedom, tenure, and shared governance.