UConn-AAUP Update June 24, 2025
Dear Members of the UConn-AAUP,
You have probably read the statement from President Maric yesterday about the impact of federal cuts and the state budget on UConn for next fiscal year. The first part of this message on the fiscal challenges is not fresh news. At this point, the hard-wired hostility of the federal government toward higher education is well-known. And the Governor’s short-sightedness in the face of this hostility is also staggering.
I reached out to President Maric earlier today to get clarification on what I saw as the most pressing issue in the message: the review of “temporary and non-permanent employees.” I asked for confirmation as to whether this includes any bargaining unit members of the UConn-AAUP, which would necessitate discussion with the union under Articles 13 and 14 of our collective bargaining agreement. I will communicate further once I hear a response.
UConn-AAUP union leaders will also be meeting with other campus union leaders as soon as possible to discuss actions we can collectively take as a coalition on the federal, state, and local levels. In regard to the state budget, there is much we can all do in the fall when discussions of the current budget are re-opened. Some union members and leaders will be attending the Board of Trustees meeting tomorrow at 9am in the Wilbur Cross reading room, and if you are in town, I encourage you to attend as well, as the mitigation plan will be discussed there.
More soon.
In solidarity,
Chris Vials
President UConn-AAUP