Temple profs: Don’t plan to strike, but may rally

Temple University professors are currently in contract negotiations, as their current contracts will expire Oct. 15, Susan Snyder reported in Thursday’s Philadelphia Inquirer.

The university and professors are butting heads over the issue of whether professors should receive salary increases they want, 5 percent increases each year for the next four years, according to the Inquirer. Temple proposed merit pay instead, citing that the salary increase proposal coupled with another that would decrease what professors pay for health insurance would be too much for the university’s budget to handle.

The professors’ pursuit of higher salaries comes at an interesting time — Temple recently raised tuition $400 per year for the next five years for full-time undergrads, reported by TTN’s Nick Pipitone this week. Read the full story here for details of tuition increases for part-time students and specific colleges.

In any event, the Inqy reported that though Temple profs refuse to stay silent, they aren’t planning on striking, so don’t plan those parties just yet.