Note: This article was originally published in the October 2002 FAC Sheet by Willis Conover, who was then serving as FAC Secretary. In an editor’s note, Conover issued special thanks to fellow faculty members Frank Homer, Ellen Casey, Stephen Casey, Kevin Nordberg, and Michael DeMichele for their assistance. The version published here was lightly edited with links and updates in 2017 by Kristen Yarmey, FAC Secretary.
The Faculty Affairs Council can trace its history back nearly fifty years.
Up to the late 1960s, faculty salaries at the University of Scranton were based on salary scales determined solely by the administration. With the creation of the University Senate in 1967, a new salary scale was established in consultation with elected faculty representatives. However, even then, work load assignments were still subject to administrative fiat.
The Vietnam era, with its campus debates and protests, brought changes to the University. The “teach-ins” and other venues focused attention on a wide range of issues on campuses across America. On the U. of S. campus, the student body requested that April 25, 1969 be declared a “Day of Concern,” during which students, faculty, and administrators would discuss the structure, governance, and goals of the University. Arising out of debate here, in Fall 1969 a faculty group, the Faculty Affairs Council (FAC) was organized to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the administration. Dr. Tom Garrett of the Philosophy Department served as its first chair. The administration formed a University Negotiating Committee (UNC) to conduct its side of the negotiations.
This initial move to collective bargaining began just as the Rev. Dexter Hanley, S.J. became University President in 1970. A former faculty member at Georgetown’s Law Center and a specialist in labor law, Fr. Hanley believed the University could successfully create a model for other institutions that would allow for collective bargaining, but not within the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The first agreements that were concluded dealt primarily with salary scales, and did not address issues such as rank and tenure procedures or work load in great detail.
Relations between the faculty and administration soured in 1973-1974. When the January Intersession was first introduced in 1973, the then-Academic Vice President, the Rev. Joseph A Rock, S.J., assigned “non-teaching duties” to faculty members during January if they were not scheduled to teach. For example, a faculty member was assigned to work in the Registrar’s Office. The faculty assigned to teach during the session did not receive additional compensation for those classes. In addition, Fr. Hanley unilaterally acted on rank and tenure decisions, ignoring the recommendations of the Board on Rank and Tenure. He ordered a freeze on promotions.
The faculty protested these actions and received support from the University’s Board of Trustees. On February 4, 1974, the faculty voted 69 to 11 to express a “lack of confidence in the administration of the University President, Rev. Dexter L. Hanley, S.J.”
In a nearly unanimous vote, the faculty moved to formalize its collective bargaining position by petitioning the NLRB to conduct an election to select a collective bargaining agent. On October 23, 1974, the faculty voted overwhelmingly (116-3) to certify the Faculty Affairs Council as their representative. Prof. Ed Bartley of the Mathematics Department served as FAC’s chair. The University administration contested the inclusion of librarians and department chairs in the collective bargaining unit but lost at the federal level. The NLRB issued its official certification of FAC on November 1, 1974.
In the spring of 1975, FAC and UNC signed their first formal contract. The Rev. Edwin Quain, S.J. had assumed the position of Acting University President because of the illness of Fr. Hanley.
Tensions developed between FAC and UNC during negotiations in the 1978-1979 academic year. Because of a lack of meaningful progress toward resolution of various contract issues, FAC urged a faculty boycott of graduation ceremonies in May 1979. A contract was agreed to over the summer months.
From the l980 through today, the University and FAC have signed formal, multi-year agreements. Additions and changes to the Faculty Handbook, a part of the collective bargaining agreement, have also been accepted by both parties, arising out of the work of the Handbook Committee or special committees created by the contract. Representing the University now in contract talks is its Faculty Personnel Committee (FPC).
In 1994, the faculty voted to formally affiliate with the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).
References and Resources
“Day of Concern Draws 600,” Aquinas 9 May 1969 (p. 3).
“Council Proposed As Faculty Representative: Group Would Meet with University Administration,” Aquinas 21 October 1969 (p. 1, 9).
“Faculty Votes: Lack of Confidence,” Aquinas 28 February 1974 (p. 1).
“Scranton U. Faculty Votes To Unionize: First Such Move in N. E. Pennsylvania,” Wilkes-Barre Independent 27 October 1974. (On-campus access only)
“N.L.R.B. Decision Favors Faculty Position; F.A.C. Unit Awaits Voting Results,” Aquinas 31 October 1974 (p. 1).
“Teachers Miss Rites at U of S,” Scranton Times 29 May 1979 (p. 3, 7). (On-campus access only)
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