Dear Colleagues,
As we close another academic year, I would like to take a moment to thank all of you for your outstanding work and dedication to our shared mission. This year, in particular, has brought deep reflection for many of us about how to ensure our community is an inclusive, supportive environment for all – and I am grateful for the respectful and thoughtful manner in which you have engaged with the administration about this important topic.
Particularly in light of the recent Faculty Senate resolution and related communications, I wanted to take this opportunity to share additional information about the University’s position on the suggested unionization of adjunct faculty and lecturers.
My administration and I have heard the concerns of adjunct faculty and lecturers, and we believe our existing practices of collaborative governance, enhanced by broader participation, give us the best opportunity to improve our community in a respectful, consistent, and lasting way. Grounded in our shared values of respect, equity, fairness and justice, we are committed to institutionalizing any needed changes, and, as you know, have already taken significant action to address a range of issues. To see this through effectively, I am relying on my continued partnership with the entire University administration.
Over the summer, new procedures and timelines for hiring, reappointment, and renewal of adjunct faculty and lecturer positions will be developed with corresponding updates and opportunities for feedback. In addition, the Provost will be working with deans and department chairs to ensure the consistent application of procedures and processes across the university. Most importantly, we will be working with the entire community to explore how we can build more trust and respect within our departments and schools.
As I have stated before, the administration respects the right of adjuncts and lecturers to vote to form a union if they so choose, and, in alignment with Catholic social teaching, we acknowledge unionization as one form of association by which employees may resolve concerns. When concerns do arise, we believe these matters are best handled by our community; however, if a sufficient number of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit demonstrate a desire for a vote, the framework of any election representation proceedings on such a vote would follow the National Labor Relations Act. This law has set long-established policies and procedures that we have respected and followed for decades with workers on our campus.
As we move forward, we have created a new website to serve as a resource on the work Santa Clara is doing to address the concerns that have been raised, as well as to provide additional information about the potential effects of a union – which we believe would change the culture of the university, further stratify our community, and make it harder for Santa Clara to fulfill our mission to students, faculty and the broader community. Please visit https://www.scu.edu/provost/moving-forward-together/ for more information.
Thank you once more for your contributions to Santa Clara University. Our pledge to you is to continue to listen, engage, and act.
Best wishes for a wonderful summer.
Sincerely,
Michael E. Engh, S.J.
President