UConn-AAUP March 7, 2025
In this issue:
Departmental Budget Cuts at UConn
Chief Negotiator Blog Post 2/25/25
SEBAC Survey Reminder
Reminder: Friday Workshop on Campus Immigration Issues (TODAY!)
Departmental Budget Cuts at UConn
We are getting word from Department Heads across a number of schools and colleges that they have been asked to make 15 to 19% cuts over the next 4 academic years. Some Heads have been asked to provide a list of “positions” that would need to be eliminated from Ledger 2 accounts to satisfy a 4% cut for FY26.
The UConn-AAUP is urging Department Heads not to comply with any demand from the administration to compile lists of faculty to be non-renewed or terminated. We also urge Department heads not to proactively create a list of positions to eliminate as well. Informing a bargaining unit member that they are to be terminated or non-renewed for “non-continuation of a program or bona fide fiscal constraints” is an administrative responsibility. Our Executive Director Michael Bailey sent a message to Department Heads on Wednesday urging them not to comply. Department Heads, who are AAUP members, should not be doing the administration’s work for them.
The Provost’s proposed cuts to departments are not in direct response to any certain rescission from the legislature. Though the Governor’s initial budget was disappointing, we still do not know the size and shape of the bi-ennial budget from the state and it’s not likely to be voted on until June. In all likelihood, and especially if we keep up the pressure, the legislature will approve a public higher ed budget that is higher than what the Governor originally proposed. Furthermore, UConn had $468 million in unrestricted reserves in June 2024, according to the Governor’s Office. Cutting people is premature.
We are in a moment when all of us at UConn need to present a united front to the legislature while also standing firm in the face of federal assaults on colleges and universities. The UConn-AAUP has cooperated with the administration in these areas to promote our shared interests, and we are happy to continue doing so. But the move by the administration to cut positions is divisive, demoralizing, and unnecessary. They come at the worst possible time when many faculty and students are already feeling deep insecurity – even dread – because of the national landscape. We need to have each other’s backs.
Early next week, you will hear from us about a number of local actions you can do to step up and help protect our university. In the meantime, if you have questions or if you have information to share, please contact me at vialschris@gmail.com
In solidarity,
Chris Vials
Chief Negotiator Blog Post: March 4, 2025
UConn-AAUP’s negotiating team continues to meet with the administration and make improvements to the current collective bargaining agreement. As of this date, we have agreed to six articles of the contract. There are probably 3 or 4 articles which neither side will be proposing to make changes on and will be agreed to over the next couple of sessions. The parties agreed to a deadline of March 15th to have all new proposals placed on the table for discussion. This does not mean that different versions of the proposal cannot be made as we continue to negotiate. One of the proposals that will be submitted will be Article 19 Salary and Benefits. As many of you saw in the Governor’s proposed budget, he reduced the University budget request by $72 M in FY 26 and $57 M in FY27 but included about a 3.1% increase in FY26 for block grant employee’s salary increase, far less than what is required for all employees. We look forward to the Governor’s commitment to adjust the volatility cap to allow for increases in expense spending for FY 26 and FY27.
The chief negotiator has posted an update on negotiations. Log in now to review: UConn AAUP Member Website | Membership Website
If you have not signed up for the membership site- please do so today! Use the link above to create a profile. The office will verify membership and then you will have access to the full site. This membership site is for dues paying member. Not a member? Join now!
SEBAC Survey Reminder
The 2017 SEBAC Agreement is set to expire on June 30, 2027. The SEBAC Agreement is our Pension and Healthcare Agreement which is negotiated by a coalition of state employee unions called the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC). SEBAC and the Lamont Administration have begun informal discussions with a goal of reaching a successor agreement prior to the expiration. As we begin these discussions with the State, it is vital that your voice is heard.
Please take a few minutes to complete this survey by March 14th, 2025 and let us know what is important to you for our healthcare and pension agreement.
In addition to covering pension, healthcare, and retiree health benefits, the SEBAC Agreement covers other matters such as placement and training rights, telework, objective job evaluation (“OJE”), and rights to use sick days to pay for family medical leave.
As you fill out the survey, please keep in mind that this is about benefits related to the SEBAC Agreement, and NOT our union’s collective bargaining agreement which we are currently negotiating.
Click here to start the survey.
Reminder: Friday Workshop on Campus Immigration Issues (Please RSVP)
This Friday, March 7, at 3:30 p.m., there will be a Workshop on Campus Immigration Issues for Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Student Workers. An immigration attorney will give a presentation on current laws, policies, and practices on immigration that may affect the UConn community, which will be followed by a Q&A session and small group discussions over dinner. More details and a flyer are below.
If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP in advance using your UConn email address: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-on-campus-immigration-issues-for-faculty-staff-and-grad-students-tickets-1259614002389
Workshop on Campus Immigration Issues for Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Student Workers
Date/Time: Friday, March 7, 3:30 p.m.
Location: Pharmacy/Biology Building 131
Agenda:
- 3:30–4:30 p.m.: Presentation from Attorney Haldeman
- 4:30–5:00 p.m.: Q&A with Attorney Haldeman
- 5:00–6:30 p.m.: Dinner and small group discussions
Thanks to generous support from: Department of Anthropology, Native American and Indigenous Studies, El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies, Africana Studies Institute, University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA), UConn Graduate Employee and Postdoc Union (GEU-UAW Local 6950), UConn-AAUP