MFA-News: Contract Documents

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I received today email messages indicating that the University might not issue the standard contract documents to any Unviersity faculty for next year. In light of other events, some faculty expressed concern over the meaning of such an action. I called Vice-Provost Solomon, and asked her to issue a statement to clarify the situation. Her very prompt response is below.

Harvey Kaslow, Secretary MFA

May 20, 1997

Harvey:

I am responding to your request for information regarding the status of faculty contracts for 1997-98.

The current contract form was on an old computer system that has been taken out of service. The new system will have to be programmed to accept the contract form. Programming was held up during the year pending a decision on the proposal for a revised contract form. However, the Senate Executive Conunittee decided that no revision would be considered until approval of a revised Faculty Handbook and recommended that the current contract form be used for 1997-98.

Since the decision was made in late Spring and no copies of the current contract form had been reordered nor had the system been programmed to accept it, The Provost's office has recommended to the Deans that a standardized letter should be sent to all faculty which will state their continuing appointment and any changes from their last contract (e.g. salary, source of funding, sabbatical leave, etc.).

I will send you a copy of the standardized letter as soon as it is finalized.

Barbara Solomon