Rowan University Contract Protests

Lori Block setting up booths to inform the students

about the current situation with contracts

On Wednesday, November 20th, professors of Rowan University in New Jersy held a Day of Action protesting for fair contracts. All of the faculty, staff, and coaches at Rowan University have been without a contract since July, and are requesting the school provides them with an option for security. Although teachers on tenure without contracts usually make slightly higher salaries than ones with contracts, the faculty and coaches would prefer the security of their jobs being secured.

Community Awareness Chair Lori Block set up booths to inform the students and parents about what is going on with the college right now. “We were letting the parents and the students know that even though we do not have a contract, we are out there working and still supporting our students,” Block said.

Charles Linderman, the union chapter’s grievance chairperson said that the university in the past 5-6 years increased the amount of faculty from 187 to 347, almost doubling. “Twenty-nine percent of all the additional costs of higher education are due to additional overhead,” said Linderman. “It is not based on the people who are actually doing the teaching. It’s the additional overhead.”

In the midst of all this, the university has been accused of attempting to break apart the unions and the faculty are in fear of termination. Should Rowan be offering contracts to the large amount of new staff they have? Or would it be a better economic choice to refuse?

Sources:

https://www.nj.com/news/2019/11/rowan-professors-take-part-in-mass-protest-across-nj-over-lack-of-contracts-wages.html

https://www.chronicle.com/article/Why-I-Like-Being-a-Contract/45496