4.22.22

Dear Students and Colleagues:

I apologize for sending this email so late on a Friday night; however, I thought it was important that I inform you of our latest efforts to reach a contract agreement with the faculty union. 

Beginning Friday afternoon and extending well into the evening, the UIS administration and faculty union bargaining teams had our 10th bargaining session of the calendar year—our seventh session with the independent federal mediator. 

On Thursday, April 21, the university again provided the union with a comprehensive package of proposals that addressed all outstanding items, including key economic issues. There continues to be a robust exchange of ideas and proposals, and I am pleased to announce that the parties reached a tentative agreement on two important items – a Memorandum of Understanding on Workload and language that will extend non-instructional assignments to bargaining unit faculty. However, we continue to remain apart on compensation.

I care deeply about this university, its faculty, staff and students. The university is making investments in our faculty and staff to the greatest extent possible. Unfortunately, we have limits that I wish did not exist. Despite our best efforts in working together, our enrollment has been a challenge, and that defines our ability to invest in our faculty, staff and university operations.

We have additional mediation sessions scheduled for April 25 and April 27. The University bargaining team remains open to as many meetings as necessary to reach a fair and fiscally responsible contract.

Karen

Karen M. Whitney, PhD
Interim Chancellor
University of Illinois Springfield