COCAL Updates

By Joe Berry Some updates from the Chicago Coalition of Contingent Academic Labor. Bowling Green U (Ohio) condemn admin role in crafting bill to outlaw outlaw collective bargaining. Eastern Michigan U contract for new adjuncts union (AFT) approved. Adjunct exploited at Plymouth State U (NH). Good article on massive healthcare strike in CA (biggest in…

Higher Education Update (Including Cincinnati State Strike)

Laura Clawson at DailyKos writes about part-time student graduation rates and notes, “don’t try to pretend that economic factors aren’t affecting college completion rates.” Roger Shuler writes about being threatened with a libel suit by Ted Rollins, the CEO of a student-housing development company. Updates on the Cincinnati State strike: “‘We love our teachers,’ says…

The Poster Police at UW-Stout

On September 12, 2011, University of Wisconsin at Stout Professor James Miller posted on his office door the image of a character from the TV series Firefly and a quote from the show: “You don’t know me, son, so let me explain this to you once: If I ever kill you, you’ll be awake. You’ll…

Freedom for Teachers

It’s always disappointing when advocates of the First Amendment find an excuse to fall short of full freedom. Charles Haynes of the First Amendment Center wrote a column last week arguing, “Teachers should have more academic freedom than they presently enjoy. But when religion is involved, teachers should not be free to impose either a…

The Bowdoin Broil

The National Association of Scholars has announced a project “examining the curriculum, student activities, and campus values of Bowdoin College.” I am sure that Peter Wood and the research fellow he has hired will attempt to do a thorough and fair job. But obviously they bring certain biases to their approach. And one concern I…

Upcoming Events

Some upcoming events (email us at academeblog@aaup.org if you have more events to recommend): In the Chicago area: On Mon Sept 26, at North Central College the newly constituted AAUP chapter is holding a fall kick-off event: North Central College will host a talk by Cary Nelson, president of the American Association of University Professors.…

COCAL Updates

By Joe Berry Here are some updates and links from the Chicago Coalition of Contingent Academic Labor. 1. Nice cartoon about Portland State bargaining 2. Good update article about organizing at St Xavier U in Chicago: Not In My Backyard: St. Xavier University Fights Union Organizing, By Tom Suhrbur, IEA Organizer 3. Update on bargaining…