Outside Gleeson Library on Sept. 8, two tables were set up asking students to write a letter to USF President Aceves regarding the state of faculty compensation. University of San Francisco Faculty Association (USFFA) held their second solidarity tabling event bringing together the full-time faculty association, part-time faculty association (USFPTFA) as well as the Office of Professional Employees (OPE). As of writing, USFFA is currently in talks with the university regarding a contract renewal, a process that typically occurs every 2–3 years. This negotiation is concerning because the university is proposing a one-year contract. A shorter contract would mean returning to the bargaining table sooner, thus creating additional uncertainty for faculty regarding their compensation and working conditions.
While the university’s enrollment is beating expectations this year, faculty benefits and pay are being targeted for budget cuts. Some examples include freezing the cost-of-living adjustments despite rising expenses in San Francisco, eroding health benefits, salary cuts and urging that faculty work more hours. Faculty departures can also increase the workload for those who remain. Vice President of Member Engagement Benjamin Levy believes these cuts will lead to a “deterioration of the quality of education of USF.” This concern is particularly relevant given the university’s emphasis on maintaining close relationships between faculty and students. On its Undergraduate Experience webpage, USF highlights its 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and encourages students to “network with professors who share their research.”
The 11:1 ratio creates opportunities for students to pursue directed research, independent study and attend office hours, since professors have the time and passion to commit to mentoring students in these areas. If the minimum number of classes a professor must teach each semester increases, the quality and quantity of time professors can spend helping individual students could decline, undermining the personalized education that USF promotes. Jorge Aquino, a professor in the Department of Theology and Religion Studies, explained that in his case, the number of classes he teaches may increase from nine to 12 every two years.
In recent negotiations, the university attempted to move faculty onto a health care plan with a higher deductible, forcing faculty to pay more of their medical bills out of pocket. After pushback from the union’s bargaining team, however, the university reversed the proposed changes. This outcome demonstrates the union’s capacity to push back against proposed changes at the bargaining table, but that effort depends on having future support from both students and faculty. Will Nobles, a freshman English major, did their part by signing an outgoing letter to USF President Aceves, which will be sent to his office. Having benefited from the one-on-one support provided by CASA, the Writing Center and their professors, Will was keen on spending a minute writing a postcard in support of the union.
Sophomores Ash and Yndy, and senior Luca all “[had] not seen or heard anything about the negotiations,” but have heard about the school’s budget crisis. Their lack of awareness suggests that information about the negotiations isn’t widespread, highlighting a broader challenge for the union as it seeks student support. Additionally, Luca recounted how he feels “indebted” to CAPS for having a “direct effect” on “making [him] a better friend, son and student.” If faculty compensation and working conditions continue to deteriorate, experiences like Luca’s could become more difficult to sustain.
What are the next steps during the USFFA’s negotiations? So far, the university and union “have not reached tentative agreements on any items yet.” According to USFFA President Brandi Lawless, who had previously published an open letter in the Foghorn, the two sides are “close on some items and very far apart on others.” If they fail to reach a middle ground, President Aceves and the broader faculty will have to become more directly involved, making the voice of the student body significant in negotiations. And, if the university continues to refuse a compromise in their contract terms, a faculty strike is possible, though they are “not prepared to comment on the possibility of a strike.” For the present moment, the faculty will continue advocating for their contract and students who wish to show their support can do so at the solidarity rally on Sept. 24 at 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Gleeson Plaza.
