Mixed emotions across faculty
April 12, 2016
After hearing of the tentative agreement, CSU Bakersfield faculty were pleased they didn’t have to strike to get the increase.
Associate Chemistry Professor Andreas Gebauer said he supported the strike but is glad the efforts didn’t come to that.
“The primary people affected would have been the students,” said Gebauer.
Still, Gebauer would have stood in solidarity with his CSUB colleagues striking.
“I know of too many colleagues who have to work two jobs to pay the bills each month,” said Gebauer.
Like Gebauer, most CSU Bakersfield faculty are simply relieved the strike will not be affecting students this quarter.
Criminal Justice Associate Professor Reem Abu-Lughod had mixed feelings about the strike before eventually deciding to participate, should it have occurred.
She felt she was breaking a promise to students by denying them a week of their education.
“I was torn between two things: my colleagues and my students,” said Abu-Lughod.
Physics and Engineering Chair Jorge Talamantes said he was glad a tentative negotiation had been reached.
“There are many faculty who are underpaid,” Talamantes said. “People should be properly compensated for their work.”
Biology Professor L. Maynard Moe had a similar viewpoint, one critical of rising tuition fees and the “bloat” of administration salary.
“Your tuition has gone to pay for the administration,” said Moe. “I was going to support my colleagues.”
Natural sciences and mathematics professor Ron Hughes expressed concern about the lack of progress that he had seen since he began working for the university in 1989 and said he “absolutely” supported the strike.
“In fact, I was a little disappointed they didn’t ask for a higher increase,” said Hughes. “The increase was long overdue. I’m near retirement, and I’m just trying to get seated in the best position.”
Though computer science lecturer Mark Stevens will not be affected by the increase because he is returning to school as a student in the fall, he can see the pros and cons of the agreement.
“I think it’s pretty good,” said Stevens. “I don’t really like the general increase because those who are already making more will continue to make more, which I guess is fair because they should.”
“I think it’s pretty good. I don’t really like the general increase because those who are already making more will continue to make more, which I guess is fair because they should.”
“If I do get a 5 percent increase I will be happy. It’s especially good for the junior faculty who are paying off their student loans and trying to raise a family. A 5 percent raise will make a big difference.”
Mathematics,
Professor
“The increase was long overdue. I’m near retirement, and I’m just trying to get seated in the best position.”
“I think it’s a step in the right direction for providing quality education for students and better compensation for faculty.”
“There are many faculty who are underpaid. People should be properly compensated for their work.”
“The tentative agreement, which we haven’t voted on yet, seems to be very much in line with what we asked for. I think it’s a very reasonable agreement.”
“I was torn between two things: my colleagues and my students.”
“I guess the opportunity to earn more is always a good thing, so I guess my feelings would be happiness, satisfaction. Satisfaction is a good word.”
“Your tuition has gone to pay for the administration. I was going to support my colleagues.”
