Confusion among students as Faculty Association work stoppage begins

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A third party stands confused amid the madness prompted by the gridlock between Central Michigan University administrators and the Faculty Association — students.

Many arrived to their first day of class to discover certain classes may not be in session until negotiations over the FA’s contract are solved. A CMU University Communication email on Sunday night urged students to attend class. Still questions remained regarding which classes would be held. According to the email, 439 “fixed-term” faculty and 591 graduate assistants were to still hold classes as scheduled this week.

Michael Zurek arrived to his 11 a.m. class on today and found it was canceled. The Linden sophomore said he felt students could have been better informed.

“The students would have appreciated an email letting us know which classes were canceled,” Zurek said.

Many students were unsure of the difference between the FA, the Union of Teaching Faculty, which is made up of adjunct instructors, and the Graduate Student Union, and how to determine which group professors were in.

Livonia senior Colleen Smith joined President George Ross and the media during Ross’ press conference regarding the FA strike. Smith, a neuroscience major, said she was mainly concerned for students’ educations.

“I’m supposed to graduate in May, but it’s in their hands right now,” Smith said. “I’m not worried, but at the same time, you don’t want a professor who isn’t happy teaching you. What happens to the professors affects their students.”

Student Government Association President Vince Cavataio said the students are ultimately the ones losing throughout the negotiations. Cavataio, a Shelby Township senior, said he hoped the situation would have been resolved by the start of the semester.

“I think it’s very important that this is handled in a timely matter,” he said. “This is an unfair burden that has been put on the students.”

Middleville senior Jessica Julius picketed with the FA near Charles V. Park Library, supporting their demands for better pay and benefits.

“In order for us to have a decent education, we need a decent paid faculty,” Julius said. “Stopping negotiations altogether is not the answer.”

Many UTF members and graduate assistants have sent emails to students letting them know class is in session. The FA has advised members to not use the CMU email. Some students have not heard notice from their classes unless via Facebook or other mediums.

CM Life advises students to consult the online directory to find if teachers are in the FA. http://www.cmich.edu/Directories.htm

If they are identified as “faculty”, there is a very small chance the class would be held. If they are identified as “fixed-term faculty”, “temporary faculty”, or anything else, the class is in session.