Roosevelt University Adjuncts Sign Three-Year Contract
by P.D. Lesko
ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY and a new union representing 310 of
the university’s part-time faculty members have agreed on
a three-year contract that both sides agree, “will enhance
the position of adjunct faculty at Roosevelt University. The
Roosevelt Adjunct Faculty Organization (RAFO) won an election
conducted among part-time faculty in March 2000. The two sides
have been negotiating since last September.
“Adjunct faculty members are critical to the mission and
success of Roosevelt University,” said Vinton Thompson, External
Relations acting provost. “This collective bargaining agreement
recognizes their contributions and sets the stage for a university
culture in which adjunct faculty members play an even more
vital and visible role in accomplishing our educational mission.
Both sides can take pride in this accomplishment.”
The agreement provides for substantial salary increases,
ranging from 15 percent in the first year of the contract
for RAFO members relatively new to Roosevelt, to 79 percent
in the third year of the contract for members with long Roosevelt
experience. It also provides enhanced tuition benefits, compensation
for cancelled courses, and compensation for attending mandatory
in-service and orientation meetings. In addition, RAFO members
will have access to a university-sponsored health insurance
pool and current RAFO members will receive a one-time stipend.
“The university is pleased that it has been able to provide
a salary and benefits package within budget that is competitive
and will markedly enhance the income and professional status
of adjunct faculty members,” Thompson said.
The agreement includes changes that will further improve
the working conditions and status of adjunct faculty members.
Roosevelt will make assignments to adjunct faculty members
earlier in the academic year, notify qualified adjuncts of
full-time openings, and enhance the teaching evaluation system.
Finally, the university has given part-time faculty members
a direct voice in university affairs. Adjuncts will now be
represented in the University Senate and on the councils of
each of Roosevelt’s five colleges. In addition, they will
have a representative on the Senate Executive Committee. The
status of part-time university and college faculty is a contentious
national issue. Roosevelt University, which has a long history
of progressive social engagement, is one of the first private
universities to recognize and agree to terms with an adjunct
faculty union.
