Faculty calls on administration to reorient its priorities

Mount Allison professors are pleased that the university has led the small-universities group in the MacLean’s Magazine survey once again, but they want the administration to recognize the value of the faculty’s work.

“We are gratified that our work is being recognized by MacLean’s magazine, but we don’t know how long we can keep it up at this level,” says Roger Wehrell, Vice-President of the Mount Allison Faculty Association (MAFA).

Wehrell is referring to the fact that student enrollment has been increasing while the number of faculty positions has been shrinking, causing an increased workload. “This is aggravated by the fact that we are not treated with respect by the administration, which has an impact on morale,” Wehrell says.

“Most of the institutions that finish behind us in the MacLean’s rankings have a better salary scale for faculty,” Wehrell says. “It’s going to be hard to retain professors, especially our brightest young people, under these circumstances,” he says.

MAFA cites lack of progress in negotiations with the administration, and has asked for the appointment of a conciliator. The conciliator is expected to arrive during the week of November 30th. The professors have been working without a contract since June 30th.

The major issues are salaries, short-term contract positions, and gender equity in hiring.

The Mount Allison faculty went on strike for two weeks in April 1992, and came close to job action in the fall of 1995.

For more information contact: Roger Wehrell @ (506) 364-2329 or (506) 364-2289