Oakland University, faculty agree to new deal just before start of fall semester

AUBURN HILLS (WWJ) — Classes began as scheduled at Oakland University on Wednesday after school officials and the union that represents the faculty at the school were able to reach a deal on a new contract, just before the deadline.

The union, the OU-AAUP , announced Tuesday night that a tentative five-year agreement had been reached as the faculty’s current contract was set to expire.

Working late into Tuesday night, Oakland Provost Kevin Corcoran told WWJ the new deal will cover much of what the faculty union had asked for, including 4% top-line increases in the first year, increases to travel allocations and increases to contributions to retirement for part-time faculty.

The agreement, according to the school’s website , includes:
• Year 1: 4% merit pool increase, plus one-time lump sum payments of $1,500 for full-time faculty and $500 for special lecturers
• Year 2: 3% merit pool increase, plus $500,000 allocated for market adjustments
• Year 3: 3% merit pool increase, plus $500,000 allocated for market adjustments
• Year 4: 3% merit pool increase
• Year 5: 3% merit pool increase

“By and large, given that this did go down to the night before classes started, it was done civilly, it was done collegially, and it was done in a way that builds that foundation for a continuing positive relationship between administration and faculty,” Corcoran said.

Now, the agreement needs to be voted on and ratified by faculty union members, which is expected to happen in the next week or two. Both parties have recommended the contract be ratified.

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