Dear members of the Faculty Senate Council and faculty,
Fr. O’Brien and I have received the December 9, 2020 Faculty Senate Council resolution requesting the University to maintain neutrality with respect to an adjunct and lecturer unionization vote (FSC2020.12.09.4R). I am responding on behalf of the Administration. I understand the resolution passed 20-9-5.
As Father O’Brien and I have maintained, the Administration is a full party to these proceedings. This decision of our adjunct and lecturer colleagues whether to be represented through a union or not will fundamentally—and perhaps permanently—change how we work together to best live out our mission. The operational, financial, and cultural implications are meaningful. For an institution whose founding ideals rest in academic freedom and the open exchange of ideas, silencing one party about a decision of such historical importance seems contrary to everything we stand for.
Please be advised that the Administration will not remain neutral.
We appreciate and agree with some aspects of the resolution, including that “The best process forward is one rooted in cooperation and mutual respect,” and that “This will require free and open discussion among the faculty.” We also agree that “The faculty is fully capable of debating the arguments for and against unionization,” and believe that they should have all the facts and considerations at their disposal to inform that debate.
The University has been transparent and collaborative with those seeking to organize a union:
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In 2019, Fr. O’Brien said that the University would not claim a religious exemption.
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When the NLRB process became unavailable to the organizers last summer, we agreed to participate in an “in-house” process, despite there being little precedent for doing so.
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We are not delaying the process until new NLRB members are appointed by the incoming Biden/Harris administration. Even though we could do that, it means too much delay and uncertainty for our faculty.
We intend to maintain that spirit of collaboration, as well as protect faculty members’ rights to academic freedom and non-retaliation, which are part of the current faculty contract (FH 3.6.1, FH Appendix B, Staff Policy Manual Policy 309). Throughout this process we affirm the University will never engage in any intimidation tactics or retaliation. We will demand that the SEIU does the same.
The Administration has demonstrated our commitment to the right of non-tenure-track faculty to vote on unionization. That commitment extends to a fair and informed debate during which the rights of faculty to speak freely—and to hear all sides—will be protected.
Lisa A. Kloppenberg
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs