Ross talks FA conflict, academic priotization during speech for alumni on Tuesday
University President George Ross spoke to alumni in Midland on Tuesday, touching on the ongoing contract dispute with the Faculty Association and prioritization of academic programs on campus.
According to the Midland Daily News, Ross told the group FA contract negotiations are at the top of Central Michigan University's list and that the union and administrators will continue bargaining while they wait for the fact-finders report.
He attested to the lack of impact the dispute has had on campus, calling the 650 tenure-rack faculty members "the cornerstone" of CMU.
"I want to assure you that four-and-a-half weeks into this semester, if you walk onto our campus you wouldn't know that we are involved in those negotiations," Ross said. "Our students are engage and classes are being taught."
Ross also spoke of CMU's academic prioritization program, in which 392 programs were sifted through. He said consolidation and elimination of some programs will become necessary down the road in order to invest in strong programs and others "that don't even exist yet."
Of the College of Medicine, Ross said administrators hope to reach preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education by February so recruiting can begin next fall before the expected first class begins in June 2013.
Ross also touched on state appropriations, tuition and athletics on Tuesday. His 40-minute speech was at the Great Hall Banquet and Convention Center in Midland and was sponsored by CMU's Great Lakes Bay Region Chapter.
