Changing Landscape for Non-tenure Track Faculty

At PSU, like many universities, our Promotion and Tenure Guidelines (pp. 13-18) recognize different faculty classifications. We have tenure-track and tenured faculty; full-time instructional and research non-tenure track faculty (NTTF) (formerly fixed-term faculty); and part-time faculty. Regardless of category or rank, every faculty member contributes to the high quality learning environment and overall student experience.

While we recognize there are differences between classifications and rank, it is vital that we support and respect all faculty; for the benefit of the individual, our students and the University.

Labor Relations Progress and Updates

In my October 2014 blog I shared my thoughts on interest-based bargaining (IBB) and encouraged the University and AAUP to consider this approach.  The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) describes IBB as “a process that enables traditional negotiators to become joint problem-solvers. It assumes that mutual gain is possible, that solutions which satisfy mutual interests are more durable, that the parties should help each other achieve a positive result.”

There have been many positive developments since my posting.

IBB Info Session

On January 22, 2015 the University and AAUP jointly participated in an IBB overview session presented by Janet Gillman, State Conciliator with the Oregon Employment Relations Board.  Janet is familiar with PSU; she served as a mediator for the negotiations last year between the University and AAUP (and is a PSU grad!). She also facilitated the SEIU-PSU IBPS process in May last year and the efforts from that collaboration remain strong today.

Interest-Based Bargaining: A Possibility for PSU?

Back in May the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the PSU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the University went into effect. The formal negotiations for the next agreement are months away. However, it is not too soon for us to think about how to have healthier dialogs and agreements on the important issues.

 

This past year SEIU and PSU Human Resources used interest-based problem solving (IBPS) to help set up the Joint Communications and Consultation Committee. Given their success, I suggested to the AAUP leadership that we jointly explore interest-based bargaining (IBB) for our next contract.