Faculty votes to create bargaining team

The Faculty Association voted Thursday, Oct. 2 on whether or not to authorize a bargaining team to call for a strike if necessary.

In the midst of unsuccessful negotiations with the Central Michigan University administration, about 240 faculty members voted to go ahead with creating a bargaining team.

“It's one more level of determination - a level of commitment,” Faculty Association spokesman and communications professor Bill Dailey said.

The current contract expires this Thursday morning at midnight. If no new deal is reached, it is not yet known exactly what will happen with the faculty.

According to Heidi Fenton, CM Life staff reporter, there will be a closed door meeting this Wednesday at 5 p.m. to determine what will happen if the contract is allowed to run out just hours later.

The meetings come in response to rising frustration by faculty members at the administrations decision to halt negotiations.

“Things have never gone this far," said Joseph Rivard, professor of teacher education and professional development.

It appears that most people have taken the side of the faculty over the administration.

“I think it’s unfair that tuition keeps rising and we keep getting more students but they won’t pay the faculty fairly,” said Mike McArthur, a senior from Lansing.

According to a poll of 47 randomly chosen students, 76 percent of students supported the faculty while only 8 percent side with the administration. The remaining students were still undecided.

“I support the concept of a strike to get treated fairly, but it’s just going to hinder the students,” McArthur said. “Some seniors could even miss on the chance to graduate as early as they had hoped.

The poll also revealed that 61 percent of the students would support the faculty’s decision if it decides to strike.

The poll was conducted by myself along with CM Life staff reporter Heidi Fenton.