During the summer, while many students and faculty are off campus, University administration has quietly introduced four new policies aimed at limiting public expression.

We all saw what happened this spring, when members of our campus community exercised their right to free speech and were met by shameful repression at the hands of University administration. Rather than regretting their ill-advised decisions, administration is now trying to codify repression in the Campus Administrative Manual.

These four policies are currently open for public comment by anyone with a NetID.

The policies are FO-86, FO-15, FO-81, and FO-82. Here is the link to leave public comment.

We encourage all members of the University of Illinois community who care about free speech and nonviolent collective action to write a comment on these policies before the August 11 deadline, to let administration know that these policies are undemocratic and inappropriate for a college campus.

“Last semester, the university unlawfully tried to make SEIU bargaining members dismantle the Free Palestine encampment. Now, when they think no one will pay attention, they are trying to push out a new policy in the Campus Administrative Manual that would give the university the unimpeded authority to require such a thing, potentially putting the job of any worker who doesn’t comply at risk.”

-Lindsey Stirek, NTFC Steward, in reference to policy FO-15.

“An issue throughout these four policies is that they hinge on prior approval and/or proper forms of request, which chills free speech by default.”

-Shawn Gilmore, NTFC Steward

Here is the full text of the new contract. We will post this to the main part of the website soon, in its fully formatted version.

Bargaining Update

Since our last bargaining session, our lead negotiators had 3 sidebar discussions with the admin team’s negotiators to work on acceptable middle ground for all remaining non-economic topics. During bargaining Monday afternoon, we offered alternative ways that we can ensure extra work results in extra pay.

We remained focused on changes that articulate clear expectations from the beginning of an appointment and that outline meaningful remedies should those expectations be modified or increased.

We’ve proposed basic pre-promotion guidance so professorial faculty have the time and information to prepare their dossiers.

We’ve seen encouraging progress on modified teaching duties in the case of a new child entering the home, however have not been able to agree on similar accommodations for faculty who may need to care for a dying loved one.

We have so far agreed to extend multi-year contracts to research professorial faculty, however the administration has balked at extending similar job security to senior instructors and senior lecturers.

Next Session

We will continue our conversations on Thursday 11-3 in the Levis Faculty Center when we expect the administration’s comprehensive counter-proposal on all remaining non-economic topics. All members are welcome to attend.

• Thursday June 20 (tomorrow!)
• 11am-3pm
• Levis Faculty Center, room 300

In Solidarity

Marisa Peacock (she/her)

NTFC Communications Chair

Bargaining Update

Today, we went through our concerns with the admin team’s last proposal, and had a useful conversation about our priorities and why they matter. We read a written statement from a bargaining unit member who was non-reappointed this year with no explanation or justification, despite receiving strong teaching evaluations and making substantial contributions to their department. Our lead negotiators made strong arguments for priorities such as wages, modified teaching duties, PI status, and protections from overwork.

Our lead negotiators had a sidebar discussion with the admin team’s negotiators to discuss potential next steps for proposals, which will continue next month and will determine the next steps for bargaining.

Survey for Members

As we focus on our strongest priorities, we will send a survey to determine which of these priorities are of the highest importance to NTFC members. Please watch for an email next week. It’s crucial to reach a deal that truly improves conditions for specialized faculty, so your participation in the survey will be integral to deciding our bargaining strategy going forward.

Next Session

At the next session, we will continue negotiations, as per sidebar conversations. All members are welcome to come.

• Date, Time, Location: TBD (will be in mid to late June)

In Solidarity

Theresa Dobbs (she/her)

NTFC President