MARQUETTE, MI-- Dozens of Northern Michigan University faculty walked out during Wednesday’s fall convocation address to protest the lack of a contract.
Faculty have been working without a contract since July 1, when the administration refused to extend it.
Academic Senate Chair Norma Froelich said a lack of progress has put a damper on educators’ enthusiasm for the new semester. She said last year they accepted cuts to pay and professional development to mitigate an expected pandemic-related financial catastrophe. State and federal aid—along with staff efforts—helped NMU avoid it, but those cuts remain.
“Meanwhile, the cost of living in Marquette has risen 6 percent in the last year alone, and there are many faculty who, because of cuts to summer college and overload pay, had to go to the food bank just to be able to feed their children this year,” she said.
Froelich noted the primary concern for faculty is to return to 2019 compensation levels and start negotiations from there.
Members of the faculty union stood up and left the auditorium when NMU President Fritz Erickson began to speak.
Both sides of the issue say they’re committed to providing the best experience possible for students.
