After a long, difficult and tension-filled year between University of La Verne adjuncts and administrators over the possibility of unionization, the Service Employees International Union withdrew its petition to represent the adjuncts on July 31. In doing so SEIU cannot file for unionization with ULV adjuncts again until January 2015.
Although the adjuncts’ future with SEIU or another union is still unknown, it is still important to continue to support our adjuncts.
Universities and colleges, not just La Verne, are now being run like businesses — which is a very inappropriate way to operate educational institutions. More than half of ULV professors are adjuncts who have low wages, little job security, and few or no University benefits. How can our student body have a learning experience in line with the University’s mission if half of our professors are essentially disposable?
It is important for students to stay informed. Over the past year, a few clubs and students were active in staying informed and supporting the adjuncts, but there are still a lot of students who are not even aware whether their professors are adjuncts or full time.
Students: believe it or not, your professors are crucial to your college experience. Whatever skill you learn, book you read or topic you discuss will probably go with you to the real world.What happens to your professors directly affects your learning experience.
The conversation is not over. La Verne’s adjunct professors still need unionization just as much as ever. We hope it happens soon.
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Campus Times Editorial Board.