“Open the Books”
This Thursday, April 10th, we’re encouraging our members to join our coalition partners at Rutgers University for an eye opening event, titled “Open the Books!” about the University’s finances.
As we head into contract negotiations with Rutgers for the first time since the reorganization and dissolution of UMDNJ, it is important that we understand what RU’s budget means for employees, students and NJ taxpayers.
Rutgers is a state university whose finances are open to the public in theory, but recent history shows the reality is much murkier. Despite mammoth sports subsidies and managerial bloat, students, faculty and staff face cuts and fee hikes that indicate Rutgers’ Old Queens management has misplaced priorities.
That’s why faculty, students and staff have invited celebrated accounting expert and Secretary-Treasurer of the National AAUP, Dr. Howard Bunsis, to be the featured speaker at our Open the Books event. Dr. Bunsis, Professor of Accounting at Eastern Michigan University, will present an exposé of Rutgers’ financial situation and answer questions.
Faculty and staff union reps, along with student organizers, will also be on hand to help coordinate our next steps to “Reclaim Rutgers.”
The program is from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Graduate Student Lounge, on the Rutgers College Ave Campus, 126 College Avenue in New Brunswick across from the Rutgers Student Center, behind Au Bon Pain.
There is an earlier presentation from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon at Alexander Library on College Ave with simulcasts at Rutgers–Camden (Campus Center) and Rutgers–Newark (Rutgers Business School).
Please RSVP to aaup@rutgersaaup.org (help us plan for seating and refreshments). Be sure to let them know you are a member of HPAE.
In Solidarity,
Judy Cunha, Co-President Local 5094
Tom Murphy, Co-President Local 5094
ps. Please check your mail. Contract surveys have been mailed to all members’ homes. The survey may also be completed online. Click here.