• Organizing Committee
• How To Reach Us
• Brief History

• About NTTs at ISU
• Why Support the
  NTT-FA
• Frequently Asked Questions
• A Comparison of Benefits

• Other NTT unions
• Illinois State University
• Illinois Education Association
• National Educational Association

Our Position...

We feel strongly about the need for a union at Illinois State University.  Please read this article to see why it is important to Unionize NOW!

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ISU Nontenure-track Faculty Association, IEA-NEA

Equity ­ Excellence ­ Opportunity 

 Fast Facts about Nontenure-track Faculty at Illinois State University

• In 2001-2002 ISU employed 457 individuals identified as nontenure-track (or temporary) faculty. 176 were full-time and 281 were part-time.  Over 40% of ISU's faculty are NTTs.
   
• Approximately 1/3 of NTTs hold terminal degrees (the highest degree offered in their field of expertise, such as a Ph.D., D.M.A., or M.F.A., e.g.).
   
• Nontenure-track faculty are hired by the semester or the academic year.  Over 30% have worked at ISU for at least 10 years.  (Source:  Institutional Research, ISU)
   
• Since 1996, the number of tenured/tenure-track faculty has increased by only 1.3% while the number of NTTs has increased almost 70%.  (Source:  ISU Academic Senate, 2000)
   
• Although the University set a minimum monthly salary for full-time nontenure-track faculty in 1999, the policy wasn't adopted for part-time faculty until years later.  NTTs have no recourse to regain the back pay they earned.
   
• Salaries for part-time nontenure-track faculty are at the discretion of the University.  There is no policy setting part-time NTT salaries by course or by percentage appointment.
   
• Nontenure-track salaries are so low that full-time faculty with 20 years of service have retired into poverty and have had to find employment to support themselves.
   
• According to University policy, full-time NTTs who hold terminal degrees must leave after 5 years of service.  This does not apply for full-time NTTs who do not hold terminal degrees.  (Source: ISU Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines section 3.3.4 Non-tenure Track Faculty)
   
• NTTs are ineligible for health insurance and related benefits unless they have a 50% or more appointment for two consecutive semesters.  NTTs who receive a 50% or more appointment in one semester can qualify for benefits only if their chair tells the state that they expect to re-hire the NTT in the following semester.
   
• No University standard exists for a full-time workload for nontenure-track faculty.  Some NTTs are assigned 46% or 98% appointments, which reduces eligibility for benefits.  (Source:  Official State Salary Survey, FY 2001-2002)
   
• While some NTTs fully participate in their departments' curriculum development, most NTTs have no say and are "ghosts in the classroom".
   
• NTTs are the only employees at ISU who do not have an official grievance policy or procedure, unlike tenured/tenure-track faculty, Academic Personnel (professional staff), and Civil Service employees.
   
• NTTs feel that they deserve more respect for their contributions to the university.  Collective bargaining would create a relationship of mutual respect and responsibility between the administration and NTT faculty.  In the truest sprit of shared governance, the collective bargaining forum would allow NTTs to participate fully in the decisions that affect their employment.