SR 06-04 - Importance of Settling the Contract Between the CSU and CFA

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate California State University (CSU) reaffirm the role of the academy as a venue for creative, thoughtful and respectful discourse where conflicting perspectives can be debated and reasonable compromises reached; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU recognize that it is neither the role nor the responsibility of the Academic Senate CSU to participate in contract bargaining between the CFA and CSU; it is, however, the role of the Academic Senate CSU to advocate for actions and policies that produce a quality educational system; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU acknowledge that the climate that currently exists in the contract negotiation process undermines morale at all levels, compromises our efforts to provide quality instruction to our students, and damages our ability to recruit and retain high quality students, faculty, staff and administrators; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU again call attention to matters of faculty compensation, workload, and professional growth and development as critical contract issues that must be adequately addressed if the CSU is to recruit and retain the numbers of well-qualified faculty needed to provide high quality classroom instruction; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU urge negotiators for the CSU and the California Faculty Association (CFA) to use the fact-finding process as a means to reach a reasonable solution that addresses the critical issues without resorting to imposition or job actions; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU call upon the Legislature and Governor to address the unmet long term financial needs that exist within the CSU; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU forward this resolution to the Governor, Legislature,CSU Board of Trustees and Chancellor, the CFA and local campus senate chairs; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU urge local senates to review and endorse this resolution.

RATIONALE: Rapid resolution of the issues and adoption of a fair and equitable contract will help the CSU attract and retain high quality faculty who will continue to provide a superior education to the people of California. At the same time, funding to the system is not adequate to address the critical needs that currently exist, including those related to equitable compensation, workload issues and professional development. A concerted effort is required to obtain funding from the Legislature and Governor that more realistically reflects the actual needs of the system.