SR102

A Senate Resolution urging Rutgers, The State University to take action on ensuring rights for part-time lecturers.

Whereas, Part-time lecturers (PTLs) employed by Rutgers, the State University teach in nearly every academic department of the institution; and

Whereas, Each semester, about 1,300 PTLs teach at least 30 percent of all undergraduate courses and hundreds more work in Rutgers University’s professional and graduate schools; and

Whereas, Rutgers University’s PTLs are dedicated, highly educated, and experienced academics whose work is critical to the central mission of the institution, the education of its students; and

Whereas, Many Rutgers University PTLs teach multiple, high-enrollment courses, earning on average only $5,500 per course while struggling to make a livable wage; and

Whereas, PTLs are the backbone of instruction at Rutgers University, and, while not in the classroom, PTLs make themselves available to students for advising, writing letters of recommendation, grading, and answering student inquires after hours; and

Whereas, In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, PTLs worked quickly and tirelessly to modify their courses so Rutgers University students could successfully complete their coursework, and did so without receiving any additional compensation for their many extra hours of labor; and

Whereas, PTLs log long hours, often cobbling together a full-time schedule across multiple campuses and institutions, all while lacking the professional development opportunities, office space, and other supports provided to their full-time colleagues; and

Whereas, The Rutgers University Senate, a university-wide deliberative body consisting of representatives of Rutgers University faculty, students, staff, administrators, and alumni, passed a resolution this past spring that called for compensating PTLs on the basis of Equal Pay for Equal Work, providing a path to full-time employment for those seeking it, and guaranteeing job security and access to health care; and

Whereas, The employment contract of Rutgers University’s PTLs, negotiated between Rutgers University administration and the Part-Time Lecturer Faculty Chapter (PTLFC-AAUP-AFT, Local 6324), expired on June 30, 2022 and PTLs have been working without an active contract since that time; and

Whereas, It is incumbent upon the Rutgers University governing boards and administration to recognize the essential contributions of PTLs to Rutgers University’s mission of education, and to compensate for those contributions accordingly; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Senate urges the governing boards of Rutgers, The State University and the university’s administration to take action to finalize a multiyear employment contract for the institution’s part-time lecturers that ensures them:

a. equal pay for equal work;

b. access to affordable health care benefits;

c. priority in appointment and a path to full-time employment for part-time lecturers with seniority; and

d. greater visibility and representation at the university.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the president and governing boards of Rutgers, The State University.

STATEMENT

This Senate resolution urges the governing boards of Rutgers, The State University and the university’s administration to take action to finalize a multiyear employment contract for the institution’s part-time lecturers (PTLs) that ensures the PTLs will have:

· equal pay for equal work;

· access to affordable health care benefits;

· priority in appointment and a path to full-time employment for PTLs with seniority; and

· greater visibility and representation at the university.