Senate Report 9/16/08

Maybe this is a function of the UFF having elected a psychologist as chapter president, as opposed to say … an economist – but I’d like to talk to you today about morale.

My sense, and I’ve had my finger to our collective pulse now since April, is that Morale at FIU has never been lower! The process of going through budget crisis and program terminations has profoundly affected all of us. Not just those who have been laid off. In fact, I’ve heard it said that those of us who did not get laid off, have a feeling of “survivor’s guilt” and that may be so. We look around too and see “brain drain” all over the place and perhaps envy those who can pick up and move on. But most of us are here because we are deeply committed to FIU.

The economic future of our state and our University is very bleak. We’ve been prepared to expect more cuts and whatever that may bring. The faculty are very disheartened. Each of us has to deal not only with the economic woes of our institution but also our own personal finances. And it isn’t getting any easier!

Any economist will tell you that the cost of living in Miami-Dade/Broward counties has risen faster recently than anywhere else in the country.

So what I think is really important to communicate, in a positive way, is that now more than ever it is time to give the faculty—and all the faculty-- a raise. An across-the-board raise to help all of us meet the demands of living and working in South Florida. Currently, however, the FIU administration is proposing zero increase across the board for either 2007 – 2008 or 2008 – 2009. Given the cost of living increases in South Florida, that is not realistic. UFF understands the budget difficulties that face all Florida universities, and we know that money is tight. With that in mind, our current proposal is for 2% across-the-board retroactively for 2007 – 08 and 2% across-the-board for 2008 – 2009. We think that is reasonable, even though we would need considerably higher raises just to keep up with inflation.

Some people have asked me how UFF can propose a raise for faculty with this budget crisis going on. The best response to that question comes from a member of the BOT. Miriam Lopez, while giving her “external relations” report at Friday’s BOT meeting, told her colleagues on the Board that given the economic situation in the State, it is especially important to find money for faculty raises if we want to attract and retain faculty. The UFF agrees with Trustee Lopez. We hope to be back at the table soon and to bargain a realistic package that addresses the realities of both the university and the faculty.

• September 14, 2008
• September 2, 2008