Stay Calm and Carry On: What CMU's Administration Is Not Telling Students
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- Category: Michelle Campbell
- Published on Saturday, 20 August 2011 07:17
- Written by Michelle Campbell
If you’re reading this post, you might have some hankerin’ of what is going on around Central Michigan University. Most likely you are a student, parent, or concerned community member who wants to know 1)what’s really going on and 2)what it means to you.
If you are a student, you have been receiving emails from the Central Michigan University administration. If you’re a parent or community member, you’ve read articles quoting members of the administration, and rarely those of the faculty association. I’m here to tell you the truth. At least, the truth from the faculty association side of things–a truth rarely heard, but often very, very different than that portrayed in the media and by administrative communication.
If you need a primer on the roots of these shenanigans, I advise reading my previous post entitled “What Every Central Michigan University Student Needs to Know.” There, I outline who the faculty are, what they want, and what you can do. If you’ve graduated past that level, welcome to a more in depth post.
Again, I must confess that I am not an unbiased party. I am a student–more specifically a graduate teaching assistant–who has been in constant communication and picketing with the faculty association this week. I support our faculty, and I think that any student who values education should, too. In many ways, I have much more to lose than any student or faculty member. If the faculty were to strike, I would not have graduate classes. If the strike were to continue for several weeks, my graduate assistant contract, and my livelihood, would be in jeopardy. In addition, I plan on teaching in higher education. Since the Central Michigan University Faculty Association is the oldest faculty union in the United States, what happens with them bares greatly on all higher education faculty members in the United States and around the world now and in the future.
The Emails From CMU Say Classes Will Start On Time. Is This True?
Maybe. Even if there is a job action, some courses will still be held. However, the administration is using rhetoric to try to downplay the force and support of the faculty association. Don’t be fooled–if there is a strike, there will be severe backlash from students and community, backlash that the administration is not expecting, or at least greatly downplaying. The sooner the administration realizes that the faculty association is serious, and will take serious action if necessary, the sooner this fiasco will be over. Remember, the faculty want to teach you. They all have their syllabi ready and their lessons prepared. They don’t want to strike or take action against something they love–but they will to ensure they receive a fair contract.
What is a Job Action?
First of all, a job action could be a number of things, the most severe of which would be a strike. If the Faculty Association leadership were to determine a job action, they will most likely do it at a meeting scheduled for 7pm on Sunday evening. If the job action is a strike, then there are already plans in place for a headquarters and several picket lines/groups around campus. Faculty would begin picketing as early as 6:30am on Monday morning.You can find out about the outcome of that meeting on the “Friends of CMU Faculty” facebook page, or a news outlet such as CM Life.
What Should Students Do if the Faculty Strike?
Well, first of all, go to your classes. If you have to cross the picket line, at least acknowledge those picketing. Give them a cheer of support if you want!
If your faculty of record (the person on your schedule) doesn’t show up after 15 minutes, you’re free to leave. You might have an instructor who is not a faculty association member, and, in that case, you will have class as usual. My students will be writing an essay for day one! There is a chance that your faculty of record, if a faculty association member, is striking or participating in a job action, that they will NOT be able to contact you through Blackboard or Cmail. The administration may lock them out of those venues of communication, as well as the buildings on campus.
If you don’t have class, I strongly, strongly encourage you to go out and support your faculty. It’s perfectly fine to picket with them! Bring a guitar, sing, sit and hang out, talk, do whatever. Just be there to support those who support you the most.
What are Some Other Issues the Faculty Association is Facing Besides Pay Increases and Healthcare?
The Central Michigan University and the media have constantly framed this as a pay increase issue. Many are angry at “greedy professors” who already make too much money. I’m here to tell you that many faculty members do not make a lot of money, especially considering the amount of education they have under their belt and number of hours they work. Although there are economic issues, there are non-economic issues, too. Some seem to just be a union-busting power move. You decided. To quote a faculty member who shall remain nameless:
"The administration would like to exclude all future counselors, coaches, librarians, med school, and professional degree program folk from the Faculty Association
The administration would like to strengthen quality requirements for reappointment, tenure, and promotion (taking evaluation out of the hands of professionals in the relevant disciplines)
The administration would like to control off-campus and online programs as a management right (which would radically change their relationship to existing curricula)"
Another faculty member added economic issues that were not necessarily direct pay increases:
"[The Administration] also want[s] to reduce their contributions to retirement (by only making contributions based on each members BASE salary — so no contribution for summer teaching, on-line teaching, or any other work done for CMU other than the base academic year salary. Currently, retirement contributions are made for all CMU earnings).
They also want to dramatically reduce the amount paid for summer teaching. The reduction varies from bargaining unit member to bargaining unit member, because currently pay for a (3cred hr) summer class is approximately 9% of salary. Instead, they want to pay a flat dollar amount for a 3CH class for anyone who teaches. This amount represents a reduction for the vast majority of faculty — I believe for more than 90% of us."
The implications of all these bargaining points are endless. If it’s harder to get promotions, the administration does not have to pay faculty as much. They already go through a rigorous process for promotions and appointments to ensure the quality of education at Central Michigan University. Why is a more rigorous processes needed?
If the administration reduces the amount paid for summer teaching, many summer courses, especially graduate courses, will not be taught. This would lengthen the time a student may spend at CMU because they cannot get ahead or make up credits during the summer.
What Can I Do?
1. Again, join the “Friends of CMU Faculty” facebook page
2. Use social media to make your friends aware of what’s going on. Share this post, share articles, share everything you can!
3. Support the Faculty Association by contacting the administration and media to voice your support for your faculty
4. Tell the administration that you don’t appreciate being lied to. They are using professional, official communication to relate highly biased information. Not only is this unprofessional, this is extremely unethical
5. If there is a job action or strike, come out to support your faculty. Picket with them, or at least tell them that you support what they are doing. Thumbs up and “Woots” are always good, too!
6. Do the research, be informed, and know the truth. Don’t let the world pass you by!
As always, please comment with any questions, comments, or concerns, and I will attempt to respond as quickly as possible! Remember, the faculty care about you and your education. They are there for you, so you should be there for them.
