For Immediate Release
August 31, 2004

Contact:
Karen Thompson
732-445-2278, ext. 21
732-572-6121

Part-time Lecturers at Rutgers Reach Tentative Settlement

In a breakthrough in contract negotiations, the Rutgers administration and the AAUP reached a tentative agreement today that will significantly increase minimum salaries for part-time members of the faculty. Nearly 1000 part-time lecturers (PTLs) teach over one-third of the University’s courses each semester. The settlement comes the day before the start of classes.

Details of the agreement include an immediate increase in the minimum compensation for a standard three-credit course from $2,550 to $3,000. Minimum salaries for a three-credit course would increase to $3,300 in 2005-06 and to $3,600 in 2006-07.

PTLs above the minimums will receive increases in each of the next six semesters. For a standard three-credit course, increases will total $150 in 2004-05, $180 in 2005-06, and $210 in 2006-07.

The University has also agreed to set up a fund for professional development for PTLs to further their research and teaching.

"This agreement was reached in the interest of quality education. PTLs at Rutgers are dedicated to their students and we appreciate that the administration is beginning to realize that PTL commitment deserves fair compensation," said Karen Thompson, the co-chair of the AAUP Bargaining Committee and a twenty-five year PTL in the University’s English Department in New Brunswick.