Elon University Statement Regarding Faculty Forward Action
Elon University did not receive advance notice of an event held today on campus organized by
the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which has been working on many college
campuses to form faculty unions. This national project is known as “Faculty Forward” and
representatives of the union have been contacting some Elon faculty to gain their support for a
union here. Some Elon faculty have reported feeling uncomfortable when approached by these
outside organizers on campus and at their homes and have shared their concerns with the
Provost’s office.
Elon has taken no actions to restrict the SEIU organizing effort or retaliate against individuals
and will comply with all federal and state labor laws. We believe any consideration of a union at
Elon should be conducted with accurate information and a full appreciation of the outstanding
benefits and support the university provides to faculty of all ranks and contract terms. Elon is
distinguished from many other universities by practices, policies and culture that involve all
faculty fully in the life of the community. We believe that investments in faculty are crucial to
ensuring student success and creating a vibrant academic community.
Only 27 percent of Elon faculty members are part-time, compared with a national average of 49
percent. This fall only 16 percent of Elon’s undergraduate courses are being taught by part-time
faculty. Elon’s pay and benefits package for adjunct faculty members is highly competitive and
in line with peer institutions. Elon appreciates the contributions adjunct faculty make to the
university and students and has rewarded that service in many ways, including a representative
on Elon’s Academic Council.
Seventy-two percent of Elon faculty are either tenured or on a tenure track, up from 52 percent in
1995. This is counter to a long-term national trend in the reduction of tenure/tenure track faculty.
According to the American Association of University Professors, the national tenure/tenure track
percentage fell from 34 percent in 1995 to 30 percent in 2015.
Equally important has been Elon’s record of increasing support and professional development
resources for faculty, raising faculty pay to be competitive with other top-ranked private
universities, providing outstanding health insurance and retirement benefits, dramatically
increasing sabbatical opportunities, lowering the student-to-faculty ratio, decreasing average
class sizes and increasing support for faculty-student research projects.
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