CSU faculty has valid grievance, but pursues it the wrong way
Modesto Bee 3/26/07
The CSU board of trustees supports the CSU faculty. They are underpaid for the service they provide. With that in mind, I am disappointed and seriously concerned with the behavior of the leaders of the California Faculty Association, who have been in contract negotiations with CSU administration for almost two years.
They have used an array of unacceptable and divisive tactics in attempting to gain an upper hand at the bargaining table. The union leaders seem to believe that by degrading the university they will elevate their position. I am particularly concerned by activities centered on CSU students.
Union leaders have manipulated, misled and bullied CSU students. I have seen this at California State University, Stanislaus, and throughout the state. This is particularly concerning at a time when union leaders are threatening to strike and are asking students to support and honor picket lines.
As a student, I would never consider presenting slanted facts, unconfirmed statistics or water-cooler rumors as the supporting sources of my research papers. Doing so would constitute academic dishonesty. The faculty union leadership, however, sees fit to commonly cite such sources in the dialogue they have with students and the publications they distribute.
If students cannot trust faculty members outside the classroom, why should they trust them in the classroom?
Perhaps the most concerning tactic has been to push this issue into the classroom, wasting valuable instruction time in the pursuit of their own agenda. It is one thing to inform students of the issues; it is another to use the classroom as a forum to manipulate and persuade. Faculty union leaders are learned professors and recognize that presenting only one perspective of a complicated issue without acknowledging bias is misleading. Moreover, to do so to an audience over which you hold a position of authority and respect is blatant manipulation and an abuse of authority.
It is disheartening that union leaders have sought to justify the use of many unpopular tactics. They claim the CSU administration has forced them to employ a variety of tactics as the only means left to get their voices heard. But deliberately wasting class time, abusing positions of authority, exploiting students and spreading false information is without acceptable justification.
In January, I requested union leaders to put an end to these behaviors. Sadly, they have continued their efforts to exploit the students of the CSU and involved them in this dispute.
CSU students are not pawns in any contract negotiations. I have great faith in the faculty of the CSU -- faith instilled by the care and effort put forth by every CSU instructor I have had. Each of these individuals has truly enriched my life.
That is why, as a student and a trustee of the system, I ask the leadership of the faculty union to confirm that my faith is well-placed. Change your tactics and halt all efforts to exploit the students of the CSU. In doing so, you will protect and advance the students you care so much about.
LaFlamme is a student at California State University, Stanislaus.