This week’s Student Government Association (SGA) Meeting, on Sep. 23, brought up the issue of faculty contracts with guest speaker Dr. J. Dwight Hines.
Hines is a member of Point Park’s full-time faculty union and a professor at the university.
The union is currently working on negotiations for new contracts for the full-time faculty, since the old contract expired in June. However, due to the provisions of labor law, the old contract will remain in effect until negotiations are over.
Hines explained that, compared to peer institutions, Point Park faculty is grossly underpaid, and with each contract the administration’s been working towards greater parody. When the COVID-19 inflation happened, all the gains the faculty union achieved were eviscerated.
Hines said that he wants to find ways to generate more interest for the cause.
An idea that was discussed was a button event. The union ordered 500 buttons possibly for an event that can get members of SGA, or the student body in general, a way to gain more support and interest in the union from students.
“If there are any mechanisms by which you could make a statement of solidarity, it’s a great deal,” Hines said.
SGA has not voted on whether they wish to release an official statement of solidarity.
During the meeting, they also swore in the new members of the senate. One of these members was Senator Neveah Cary.
“I’m most looking forward to being able to get more engaged with our student body and bring more of those ideas here to see how we can influence campus,” said Cary
Additionally, the senate held their vote for the President Pro Tempore (PPT). The President Pro Tempore is the third in line if the SGA president and vice president are unable to perform their duties. Also, the PPT ensures all SGA members complete their hours and runs the student innovation committee.
There were five candidates that put themselves on the ballet. Each candidate was able to speak as for why they should be voted for before the vote was held. The new President Pro Tempore is sophomore Robert Fornataro.
For more information, please check an SGA meeting at 3:15 on Mondays in the basement of the Student Center.
