The quest for a fair contract has found an ally as the Council gave their nod of support to the full-time professors and practicing artists, collectively known as Professors of the Practice (PoPs), at Tufts University’s School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA). A recent resolution passed in a Council meeting underscored the significance of these educators in upholding the college's academic standards and their contributions to Boston’s art scene. According to a statement from the Boston government, councilors raised concerns about the sluggish pace of negotiation and what seems to be a reluctance from university leadership to fully engage in the process.
The resolution comes at a time when the SMFA has seen student enrollment nearly triple sans a proportional increase in faculty. In fact, the number of PoPs has dropped from 40 to a mere 30, placing significant pressure on the remaining faculty members. The educators are advocating for a salary adjustment to match the cost of living, seeking a 4% rise. However, reports indicate that Tufts University has proposed a 2.75% increase, a figure that falls short of expectations. Additionally, the resolution pointed to specific hardships faced by faculty members of color and those hailing from international shores, including inconsistent visa support and unequal treatment.
The Council’s adoption of this resolution signals a clear endorsement for the right of workers to form and join unions and requests the university to engage in negotiations with integrity. The Council's call to action is unambiguous – they are urging Tufts University to reflect on its declared principles of equity and inclusion and to invest accordingly in its faculty. These measures are deemed essential not only for the wellbeing of the staff but for the preservation of the institution's excellence in education and its stable growth.
