Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

CSCU students and faculty push back against contract proposals

  • Higher Education
  • by Adria Watson
  • February 26, 2021
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Adria Watson :: CT Mirror

CSCU students and faculty protest against the Board of Regents’ contract proposals outside of Central Connecticut State University on Feb. 26.

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities faculty and students gathered outside of Central Connecticut State University Friday morning to protest the Board of Regents’ recent contract proposals, saying the changes could lead to larger class sizes and possibly losing accreditation.

“The BOR must … understand their proposals are developed with union-busting in mind,” said Eastern Connecticut State University anthropology professor Sarah Baires. “And while they might believe they are attempting to build a better CSU system, they are ultimately destroying opportunities for students to be successful and hence undermining the future of the state.”

The contract proposals are in negotiations and details haven’t been made public, but those privy to negotiations expressed a wide range of concerns.

Some of the concerns were focused on potentially losing accreditation, professors taking on extra work and having larger class sizes, and students losing out on search time and having fewer counselors.

Additionally, students and faculty said that increasing full-time faculty members’ workloads could put adjunct professors at risk.

“The BOR wants to take away certain safeguards that professors have that will not allow students to gain a quality education and a promising degree,” said Central Connecticut State University student Johanna Zukowski. “Increased class sizes and increased demand of course loads for full-time faculty will directly impact the students.”

Allowing limited class sizes creates a positive learning environment for students, and they like to be in classes where they feel seen, she said.

“It is important that students have these interactions, because they oftentimes lead to educational and career opportunities. This support will undoubtedly disappear under the BOR’s new proposals.”

Legislative leaders who joined students and faculty Friday voiced their disapproval with the BOR’s contract proposals and the process, saying that they could not believe the proposals that were being made by the BOR when they saw them and did not think they would be good for the university system.

“We as legislators, we have an obligation to be here with you and support you to understand these issues, and to make sure that the people who are running this place realize that they can’t make these negotiations secret or private,” said Labor Committee Co-Chair Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury. “We’re going to shine a light on what’s happening here, and we’re going to demand that they come to the table and negotiate a fair contract that not only benefits the faculty but also benefits the students.”

Rep. Josh Elliott, D-Hamden, the co-chair of the Higher Education Committee, shared the same concerns as Kushner, adding that what’s been made clear to him is that there has been a lack of transparency, communication and respect from the board.

“Looking at what the Board of Regents wants to do, and looking at how these contract negotiations are going, it’s very clear that they’re taking the approach of asking for absolutely everything and trying to negotiate to whatever that perceived middle is,” Elliot said. “And you never want to accuse the person that you’re dealing with of acting in bad faith. But the terms of the contracts that I’ve read are onerous, they are disrespectful, they treat you like chattel.”

CSCU Interim President Jane Gates responded to Elliott on Friday, saying that his comments comparing the contract proposal to slavery are “beyond the pale.”

“I will not sit back and allow someone who has not been involved in this process to compare our contract proposal, which, by the way, includes livable wages and job security for university professors, to the horrors of slavery – a stain on our nation’s history from which we have still not recovered,” Gates said in a statement. “I am disappointed by Representative Elliott’s comments. I hope he will take the time to learn how inappropriate it is for him to try to use the horror of slavery rather than take the time to discern what the truths are and how best to act upon them.”

Gates sent out a video to the CSCU students, faculty and staff Friday morning addressing the concerns raised about the contract proposals.

In the video, Gates said she recognized the importance of professional development opportunities for professors, shared governance and accreditation.

“Despite disinformation that I know has caused fear among members of our community, all the items I just mentioned are important to the Board of Regents and to our institutions and will be supported,” she said, adding that there are disagreements coming from both sides but that is how the process works, and they will continue to work through it.

“I am confident – and [the CSCU community] should be, too – that we will come to terms on a contract that maintains the quality and affordability of our institutions while setting us up for long-term viability.”

During a Feb. 18 Board of Regents meeting, faculty members and students also brought their concerns and frustrations with the proposal to the board during the public discussion portion of the meeting.

Board Chairman Matt Fleury refrained from responding to specific comments directed at the board during public comment but said the board is serious about getting the contract right.

“We listen to hear, we take notes, and we revisit with our management team and our negotiating team … recognizing that parties began at the extremities and then arrive at the middle because they both care about what’s best in the end for students and those who serve them,” he said.

Fleury added that the board does not expect the current state of the contract to remain when negotiations end, which is expected to be by May 1.

“Nobody who is in the negotiating game on either side in their right mind believes that. Don’t let them tell you that. It’s not true.”

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adria Watson is CT Mirror's Education and Community Reporter. She grew up in Oakland, graduated from Sacramento State where she was co-news editor of the student newspaper, and worked as a part-time reporter at CalMatters (the California version of CT Mirror). Most recently Adria interned at The Marshall Project, a national nonprofit news organization that reports on criminal justice issues. Adria is one of CT Mirror’s Report For America Corps Members.

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Auditors: UConn Hartford campus construction cost $30M more than budgeted
by Keith M. Phaneuf

Construction and renovations combined originally were priced at $87 million. Final cost: $116.7 million.

CSCU board votes for one-year tuition freeze
by Adria Watson

For the community colleges, services and extension fees will also remain at the 2020-21 levels.

Bill would create sexual misconduct climate surveys for Connecticut’s colleges
by Adria Watson

The surveys would be conducted every two years.

State community college system deficit up nearly 38%
by Adria Watson

Much of the shortfall is due to a sharp decrease in enrollment.

Lamont keeps school funding on auto-pilot, despite calls to end ‘funding discrimination’
by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas and Adria Watson

The move is sure to displease groups that have been calling for a major increase in state education spending.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion Redistricting in Connecticut 2021: It is worth your attention
by Patricia Rossi

This is the year for redistricting in the United States. Maps drawn in 2021 will define which voters can vote for which candidates for the next ten years.  That means ensuring that the 2021 maps are fair and representative of their communities is critically important.

Opinion Lembo: Legislators should let constituents share the success of their health plan.
by Comptroller Kevin Lembo

The health care crisis in Connecticut continues. Bills under consideration in Connecticut expand subsidies, attempt to lower prescription drug costs and address long-standing health care inequities. There is room to incorporate the best of each if it helps make health care in our state more affordable, equitable and accessible. But Senate Bill 842 is the only bill that provides short and long-term help for small businesses, nonprofits and certain labor unions.

Opinion Will the Comptroller open the state-run healthcare plan’s books?
by Wyatt Bosworth

What choices do you have when you cannot defend a policy issue on its merits? One path is that chosen by former New Britain Democratic Town Committee chair Bill Shortell in his April 14 Viewpoints opinion piece, “Debunking the CBIA’s takedown of the public option healthcare bill.” Instead of defending any perceived merits associated with the proposed expansion of state-run healthcare in Connecticut, Shortell attacks the messenger. In this case, two organizations that have raised legitimate —and unanswered— questions about that proposal.

Opinion Climate action now to insure Connecticut’s future
by Commissioners Andrew Mais and Katie Dykes

Connecticut has had nine weather-related federal disaster declarations in the past 11 years, totaling more than $362 million in damages. For Storms Irene, Sandy, and the 2011 October Nor’easter, insurers paid out more than $1 billion to cover insured damages in Connecticut. The climate crisis is upon us. The science is clear. We must act now.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO