BUnow Magazine: Strike Edition by BUnow Mag

STRIKE EDITION NO. 2

Spring 2017

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s the school year comes to an end, BUnow is reflecting on its accomplishments this year. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve certainly had a lot of shining moments, but our most extensive section of the site currently is the journalism and photography done on the APSCUF Strike. BUnow generated 33 articles prior to, during, and after the Strike as well as posted three daily photo galleries of the Strike and all that it entailed. Eleven student journalists, videographers, and photographers worked to achieve this astounding feat. Last year, BUnow produced its first-ever print magazine. We were excited to develop and print another magazine this year, and with the 10,925 views that our Strike cumulatively collected, it seemed a Strike Magazine was the best choice. Some of the articles included on the BUnow site were informative, including released information and content from mass student emails, opinion pieces, articles that addressed what the strike looked like both from the faculty line and through student perspectives and many more. There were also many interviews, including an article that gave student perspectives from other PASSHE schools. The strike lasted three days, beginning on Oct. 19 and ending on Oct. 21. BUnow was on watch as students awaited the email from BU that would declare the strike and Matt Mastrogiovanni quickly reported on it. As rumors quickly began and worry arose from student, Micah Richards took to the BUnow site for debunking falsities of the strike and gave students the truths about what an APSCUF strike meant. Kaitlyn Pope and Morgan Mickavicz wrote an article informing the student body about what the strike was really about. The Strike was not about faculty wanting higher wages, but protecting the education of the State Systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students. PASSHE wanted to establish rules which would compromise students access to professors as they could be assigned to teach at several PASSHE schools, even at far distances from another in the same semester. They also wanted to enact more online courses which are not overall poor, but offering more of them may require students who would learn better in a physical classroom to take one. They also wanted to develop a policy that would eliminate majors or courses with low student rates, diminishing the idea of liberal arts education and hurting students who are invested in small programs. Luckily, a negotiation was met and the strike only lasted a few days. Some of the other writers who contributed excellent commentary on faculty thoughts, updated Strike details and high quality opinion pieces were Dallas Kriebel, Cynthia Johnston, Kendyl Galbraith, CJ De Leo, Rachael Sheller, and Jessica Pupillo. The Strike was a huge part of the school year and it impacted the students of not only BU, but of all the PASSHE schools. Though the Strike was not what everyone wanted, BUnow was glad to be a source of information during that time.

Morgan Mickavicz

Managing Editor

Special Thanks to our designers...

Cindy Jonhnston Editor-in-Chief

Matt Mastrogiovanni Managing Editor 2016-2017

C.J. De Leo

Edwin Nunez

Sarah Gottschalk

Nicole Keiser

Rachael Sheller

and all of our writers at BUnow, photograhy by Ryan Welkom and our awesome social media team Jackie Ehrhardt and Emily Creager!

Thank you for the support and generous sponsorship from the BU Mass Communications Department

Table of Contents

Potential Strike Date Set For October 19, 2016................................................................4 Gov. Wolf Implores: Keep Teaching, Keep Talking..........................................................5 APSCUF President Ken Mash Discusses Status of the Strike.........................................6 APSCUF Strike = Fall Block Party?....................................................................................7 Bloomsburg Students Support APSCUF............................................................................8 What Do Our Classrooms Look Like in the Midst of the Strike?..................................9 Bloomsburg Students Rally In Support of APSCUF......................................................10 Behind the Picket Line......................................................................................................12 BU Students Blind Supporters?.........................................................................................14 My Reaction to the Strike...................................................................................................15 As Strike Continues, So Do Concerns.............................................................................18 APSCUF and PASSHE reach agreement.........................................................................20 4 Feelings after learning the strike is over.......................................................................21 The Strike is Over; Let’s Have One Last Look at What Happened...............................22 A “Special Message” from Chancellor Brogan and the Board of Governors.............23

A special thank you to our innovative advisor Dr. Richard Ganahl!

After seeing the success of the first edition, a second edition on BUnow’s on-the-spot coverage of one of the most unique experiences in Bloomsburg University’s history was a natural idea. Charge!!!

The Strike Edition will also be featured online on ISSUU

Potential Strike Date Set For October 19, 2016 By Kendyl Galbraith - Oct. 7, 2016

ight before the 2016-17 school year began, the 14 State Schools heard word of a possible faculty union strike (APSCUF). Automatically, talk began among students, parents, and professors about what would happen if this strike were to occur. The union is pushing for a fair negotiation with the State System. The State System’s current proposal is paving the way for more temporary faculty members to teach college level classes and limit the amount of permanent faculty members. The State System is also looking to cut faculty health benefits and then charge them more for their benefits. APSCUF has one individual contract negotiated for the 14universities in the State System. The original vote for the strike took place on Sept. 7 and went through Sept. 9. At the conclusion of the voting process, the vote was in favor of the strike. On Sept. 22, the President of APSCUF, Ken Mash, announced the strike date for Oct. 19. In The Voice, a Bloomsburg University run newspaper, a letter from Michael Martin, Asst. Professor of English included a quote from Mash. Mash said, “I would note in the seven plus years I have been here, this is the first time I have heard a specific date for a potential labor action, so that is a step further in the process than I have ever experienced. It is a step that concerns and frightens me also.” The State System has posted updates within the past month to keep students up-to-date with what may potentially happen. The first update was released on Aug. 23, and the most recent update was released on Sept. 27. The latest update included a student fact sheet and FAQ about the possible faculty union strike. While most of the media is focused on how the potential strike may affect faculty, it is important to look into how the students view the potential strike as well. When speaking with Brooke Springborn, a senior at Kutztown University, she shared her knowledge on the strike: “As a senior, this is extremely discouraging because it sets us back not only with our education, but our lives. I can’t help but to think about this as a stressful and selfish action.” Derek Miller, junior at Millersville University, said, “Millersville was my top choice going into college because of the programs and promises. I did not what to go to a university where I would be looked at as a number or where I would see a graduate student more than my decorated professor. I believe that the professors who are standing up to protest this right truly believe in Millersville promises and our student body.”

Gov. Wolf Implores: Keep Teaching, Keep Talking By Cindy Johnston - Oct 19, 2016

ith the potential strike by Pennsylvania’s 14 state schools’ faculty looming, Governor Wolf released a statement about the contract negotiations between Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF): “I have monitored negotiations between PASSHE and APSCUF closely and I have had many conversations with both sides. Throughout all of this I have repeatedly urged both sides to continue talking until an agreement is reached. “We must ensure our professors are treated fairly while recognizing PASSHE’s difficult financial situation due to years of underfunding. “There is enough common ground for the two sides to reach a final compromise. Both PASSHE and APSCUF should continue negotiations until a final agreement is reached. “Avoiding a strike is paramount because a work stoppage will be devastating for the state system. Most seriously, a strike could drive a loss of students, which would further exacerbate an already precarious financial situation for the state system. We have to look no further than what happened to Temple University following the faculty strike in 1990. It took years for Temple to recover its student population. “We all agree that the higher education of our students is a top priority, and tomorrow students should show up to class and professors should show up to teach them.” The 1990 Temple University strike Governor Wolf is referring to occurred because the then-President Peter Liacouras refused to budge in negotiations of a contract with Temple Association of University Professionals’ (TAUP), according to The Temple News. On Aug. 30, 1990, TAUP went on strike at picket lines along Broad Street. During the course of the strike (29 days) and after, more than 3,500 students withdrew from Temple University. According to James Hilty, a history professor, Temple’s enrollment numbers did not recover until the 1999-2000 academic year. The strike also cost Temple more than $12.5 million.

Temple University students march during the 1990 strike (from http://temple-news.com/ news/recent-protests-african-american-studies-department-revisit-old-battles/)

We cannot predict whether or not the potential strike affecting us will have similar results, nor can we predict with certainty if the strike will occur. As of now, we just have to wait until 5 a.m. tomorrow, Oct. 19, and see what happens.

APSCUF President Ken Mash Discusses Status of the Strike By Cindy Johnston - Oct. 19, 2016

t 10:30 p.m. tonight, President of APSCUF, Ken Mash, held a Facebook Live discussion to address any questions about the potential strike.

Mash tried to assure us that he and APSCUF are still willing to negotiate as long as they “stand up for [them]selves and [their] colleagues.” Jamie Martin, Vice President, spoke out about their dedication saying, “We’ve sat in this room since Friday for many hours.” Their days were filled with 12 to 14 hours of negotiating. Martin spoke about how they tried their best to work with the State System while thinking about us, the students, and knowing we support them. She alleged that it seemed as though PASSHE was simply not interested. Chris Allen, treasurer of APSCUF and a Bloomsburg University professor in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, stated that he didn’t understand the motivation of the State System to walk away from the table and from over 100,000 students. One of the questions of those who were watching the discussion was if the current status of the negotiations meant there will be a strike. Mash responded, saying that both APSCUF and PASSHE are processing the proposals. He said, “This is real time. We’re working in real time.” Mash went on to say that at 5 a.m. tomorrow, Oct. 19, he will have “either a tentative agreement in [his] hands or a picket sign in [his] hands.” Whatever the outcome is, Mash wants to thank his colleagues and the students. Another question asked was what can be done to stop the strike. APSCUF suggested writing to your legislator. To find contact information for your legislator, you can go to APSCUF’s website where they have a link to help you do so. Mash is hoping that if a lot of people write into their legislator, the State System will come back to make negotiations. Students were also wondering if they can go on strike with their professors. Mash encouraged students to do whatever they think is right, but said he was not advocating anything. When it came to the question of why the State System did not agree with arbitration, Mash said he could not speak on their behalf. As for the Governor, Mash believes that he cares about the students and having quality education. The discussion also addressed the Chancellor’s reputation as a “Union Buster.” Mash’s only comment was “actions speak for themselves.” Perhaps one of the biggest questions of students is if they need to attend class if the strike occurs. Mash advised students to follow the advice of their university (check out our article about the email Bloomsburg students received about the possible strike). However, Mash also said to feel free to express your rights. The discussion ended by saying that the strike is not official yet and to continue to check APSCUF’s website for updates.

APSCUF Declares Strike No agreement between the state school system, PASSHE, and the governing body of faculty, APSCUF, has been reached. As of 5 a.m. a strike was declared.

APSCUF Strike = Fall Block Party? By Morgan Micavicz - Oct. 19 2016

here has been rumor of a fall Block Party since the talk of a potential Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties strike began, but Bloom Block Party’s twitter account confirmed it this morning. Teachers strike, we strike…with booze? The idea behind the fall Block Party is that students participating in one rather than being in class could help push PASSHE and APSCUF closer to an agreement. Nobody wants college students from 14 colleges and universities, especially the community members and parents/guardians, out partying all day instead of being in classrooms. No details have been confirmed yet on the fall Block Party but anyone who’s interested in attending knows when it begins and Fetterman Ave. could be the place to be.

Bloomsburg Students Support APSCUF By Dallas Kriebel - Oct 19, 2016

he Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) declined the final contract offer by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) last night at around 11:30 p.m. That meant that at 5:00 a.m. this morning, the faculty of all 14 Pennsylvania State Universities were officially on strike. Bloomsburg University faculty are posted at every entrance of the campus with picket signs in hand. But there are also plenty of students taking a stand against PASSHE with them. Students feel very strongly that their education is the most important point in this strike, and that the faculty are fighting for their own contract, as well as fighting for students. One staff member that wished to remain anonymous said that PASSHE is “trying to divide us and lower the quality [of the students’ education.]” This rings true with students who want their education to be as valuable as possible. Students were also manning picket signs and joining in chants in front of Carver Hall this morning as the faculty were marching to the beat of a bass drum. Two BU sophomores, Thomas Weber and Dave Zienkiewicz, stated “we’ve been here since 5:30 a.m.” Weber said he was fighting for the quality education that the professors give to students, and Zienkiewicz added, “I aspire to be a post-secondary educator, so this is really important to me.”img_4025 There was a large drawing pad and markers for any students who wanted to join the picket line at Carver Hall. Junior Arden Schiller held up a sign that said #SettleForTheStudents. Many students like her want an agreement to be met between PASSHE and APSCUF so that they can continue their education. Any student who wishes to get involved in the strike can go to any of the major entrances into Bloomsburg University and join the picket line. Also, APSCUF President Dr. Kenneth Mash encourages students to call their state legislators and urge PASSHE and Chancellor Frank Brogan back to the bargaining table. For the latest updates on the BU strike, stay tuned to BUnow.com and our social media accounts. You can also voice your opinion on the strike on Twitter by using #BloomUstrike.

Student supporters sitting outside Carver Hall

Faculty marching outside of Carver Hall

What Do Our Classrooms Look Like in the Midst of the Strike? By Kaitlyn Pope - Oct. 20, 2016

ith the majority of Bloomsburg Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faculty on strike, many classrooms are left empty. Void of the futureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s working minds, void of professors, and quite frankly, void of purpose. These classrooms were built to hold the minds of up and coming intellectuals. But what happens when the state system and faculty cannot come to terms with new contracts? We are left with classrooms that look like this:

McCormick classroom 1303 left practically empty in the wake of the strike. Outside of McCormick classroom 2303, Karli Miller sits with signs that support faculty. She is a TA for a class held inside this room and is required to be present at the time that the class would normally take place. So she sits, but not in support of the state system. She says she is so against crossing the picket line, that she refuses to step inside of the classroom. Negotiations continue to go on as we now approach day three of the strike. More information and updates will be available on BUnow.com, as well as the APSCUF and PASSHE websites.

Karli Miller smiles as she supports APSCUF outside of classroom 2303.

Bloomsburg Students Rally in Support of APSCUF By Cindy Johnston - Oct 19, 2016

oday, at 3 p.m. Bloomsburg University students took to the academic quad to show their support for the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF). Students in support of APSCUF marched onto the quad with their picket signs, chanting, all while the song “We Didn’t Start the Fire” was playing. The first student to speak at the rally was Thomas Weber, a sophomore, who discussed how Bloomsburg is a “working class school” with quality staff who give their time to their students. Weber stated that he is standing with APSCUF, with our professors, and not with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), “particularly the Chancellor.” Students rallying on the quad Weber continuously said, “We [the students] will not give up.” Speaking for the students in support of APSCUF, Weber discussed the desire for a quality education and how “education is the pursuit of the truth.” The students rallying are searching for the truth since most of the information about the strike makes it seem like APSCUF is simply looking for raises. By standing by APSCUF, Weber stated that “we [the students] are flexing our muscles and powers by being out here.” Their goal is to stand by APSCUF’s side as long as they need to to ensure that our professors are valued. Weber believes that with the proposed negotiations, PASSHE is devaluing our education by proposing we have more temporary staff. Weber went on to say that we, the students, “keep the lights on” by paying our tuition, paying our professors’ salaries, and keeping the universities running. He and the students standing by APSCUF are demanding “quality education that is not dumbed down.” The students believe that PASSHE is treating our education as a business, which they do not believe is right. “Is this about money or our future?” Weber proposed. Simply put, Weber just wants the Chancellor to make a reasonable deal that has our education in mind.” The next student to speak, whom did not release her name, continued to say that their goal is to have a quality education. She believes that the negotiations are about “our future, our degrees, and our quality education,” but PASSHE is seeing “what they can get away with cheating out on and cheating out on us.” She went on to say that PASSHE is nothing without us and “we are the money and we are the power.” This student urged all students in support of APSCUF to email the Chancellor and let him know that we are not giving up and that he can “stay up past his bedtime,” alluding to how he left the negotiations early. You can email him at Chancellor@passhe.edu. The next student to speak also did not release her name, but she pointed out that the Chancellor is the highest paid state official. She mentioned how he makes more than Governor Wolfe, but during the negotiations, the Chancellor would not agree to freeze or lower his paycheck.

Students join faculty in their protest

She went on to passionately say, “His [the Chancellor’s] next paycheck, his next raise, is not going to come from the professors or the students. He needs to march down to Harrisburg and ask for more state funding.” The final student to speak was a fifth year senior named Carly. Carly stated that she is considered a “nonresponsive student” when it comes to mental health diagnosis. Her freshman year, she had professors—she made sure to point out that they were just her general education professors—who made sure she got the mental health care she needed and encouraged her to go to her classes. Carly believes that we need to “support our faculty who go above and beyond.” She stated that she “will be on the picket line as long as [she has] to be in order to stand with the professors.” The rally ended with Weber making sure people knew that these students also stand with “our coaches, janitors, and other staff who stand by us,” and one other student encouraging a peaceful protest and staying safe. A few minutes before 3:30 p.m., all of the students standing by APSCUF marched down to Carver Hall to protest with the faculty.

Behind the Picket Line

Rain or shine, faculty and students were out on strike. These are some of the photos from the three days of the strike, all photos taken by Ryan Welkom.

INTERVIEWS:

BUnow members Emma Everrett and Katie Travers went out in the field to get interviews during the strike. Check out their videos on our YouTube!

Check out BUnow.com for more images from the strike.

BU Students Blind Supporters?

By Dallas Kriebel - Oct 20, 2016 he sights at Carver Hall yesterday and today have been almost parallel. Faculty are marching in front of the well-known BU building, and students are sitting on the steps supporting them. Watching the support that the students are giving BU faculty is incredible. However, some may ask what their motivation is for supporting the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF). After interviewing students wielding picket signs at Carver, the reason they were all there was unanimous. “We are here to support the teachers.” Some said that the faculty sacrifice their time to be at the university after hours, and that the faculty members were like family. This is a good thing right? Students are supporting their educators and their right to a fair contract. Without good professors, students wouldn’t be getting a quality education. But that is exactly what is happening as the strike goes on. Faculty are striking and students are suffering. That is not to say that the faculty want to strike. Interviews with striking faculty have also shown that almost none of them want to be striking. 5,500 faculty throughout the 14 state universities are relying on APSCUF President Dr. Ken Mash and a small executive board to make a decision on whether PASSHE has given them a good enough contract. None of the striking professors have a vote as to whether they want to accept a contract from PASSHE. Much of the disgust from students has been directed toward PASSHE and its Chancellor, Frank Brogan. Students and faculty are angry that PASSHE left the negotiating table on Wednesday, Oct. 18 and have yet to return. But have students considered that the state system does not have the funds to continue negotiating? Unless PASSHE bargains the state for more money, they only have a certain amount of funds at their disposal. This basically means that either the students will be paying more for tuition, or the faculty will have to settle for a lower salary. This is also the reason why PASSHE is negotiating for more adjunct faculty, they don’t get paid as much as full, tenured professors. One phrase that has been said quite a bit the last few days is that by refusing to negotiate further, PASSHE is “devaluing our education.” At what point is APSCUF the one devaluing our education by not accepting a contract? At any rate, students can support whomever they choose. In the end, it is a matter of whether or not APSCUF President Ken Mash and his executive board accept a contract offer from PASSHE. But students, before making a decision on who to support, do your research. Ask questions and become informed on the real issues pertaining to the strike. Don’t just listen to what your friends are saying, and don’t be blind followers. Not being informed is like playing a game of Telephone – at the end, the message is never the same as it was in the beginning. You can find out more about PASSHE and APSCUF and what they stand for by visiting their websites, and keep up with negotiations by looking at bloomu.edu/negotiations. You can also follow PASSHE and APSCUF on their social media accounts.

My Reaction to the Strike By Rachael Sheller - Oct. 20 2016

he evening before the potential strike, there was a sort of heaviness that hung on top of campus. A heaviness that usually does not exist among the lovely fall landscape of Bloomsburg University; unless it’s final’s week of course. Last night, APSCUF’s Facebook page held a live broadcast and answered some questions that students had. It was about 13 minutes long and it seemed to end with more questions than when they started. Here on the right is a picture of the Facebook live stream from Oct. 18. I went to bed confused and unsure of what the morning might bring. Should I still report to class? Should I not go to class? Should I be out there picketing with faculty? Or is it not my fight? On Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 5 a.m., it was time for me to make up my mind whether I was ready or not. The faculty were officially on strike for the first time in PASSHE’s history. I was given a ride to the campus from a friend of mine that morning. We were discussing what course of action we should take during this weird time. This wasn’t a strike that happened in a high school where things would shut down and that was it. In this case, the university wasn’t closed and we still had to report to class according to an email that was sent to us by Dr. Soltz. Part of the email is shown below.

Dear Students: Tomorrow may be the beginning of the first faculty strike in Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s 33-year history. I am certain you are wondering what this means for you. In many ways, life at Bloomsburg University will continue uninterrupted if a strike occurs. You will still be expected to go to your classes, because some faculty may choose to teach. When the possibility of a strike first began (in August) I’ll admit, I was angry with the professors. I thought that this was just a selfish thing to do to set us seniors back from graduating. I asked myself, “Why do the professors think they’re helping us by striking?” I was sadly forming this opinion off of not-so-true “facts” and not trying to hear the other side. I was just focusing on graduating in May. It wasn’t until I started listening to my fellow students who were more informed than me. In my Capstone class, we started to talk to each other about our concerns about the potential for a faculty strike. I wasn’t sure how 100% true this information was, but I was all ears to listen at this point. What came up into discussion was the quality of our degrees. Our quality of degrees and education would lower if this contract wasn’t revised. I have busted my tail since June 2013 and have gotten Dean’s List every semester (not to brag). So to hear that my degree that I’ve worked SO HARD for might get devalued because of PASSHE had me fired up. Then hearing about how we wouldn’t get enough time with our professors due to this new contract was even more unsettling. There were so many other factors in this situation that had me angry that I can’t even name all of them in this article. To get all of the information you need on these changes in contracts, visit the APSCUF official Facebook page or their website.

Following the conversations we had in Capstone, I had a change of tune real fast. How could this state system that claims to care about us, treat our faculty and its students like cash cows instead of living, breathing, cognitive human beings? Has money become so much of a factor in our society that it has taken away the very things that makes us all human: understanding, listening, and sympathy? So on Wednesday, Oct. 19, I did not go to my classes. I did not sit there in those empty classrooms hoping for someone to take attendance. I instead met with my fellow peers on the Student Services Center at 3 p.m. to get ready for the rally at Carver Hall. Students on the Student Services Center steps gathering students to return to Carver Hall in support of the faculty

Students on the Student Services Center steps gathering students to return to Carver Hall in support of the faculty

Students and faculty join together on the steps of Carver Hall at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Bloomsburg student Mara O’Malley made her own sign and brought it to Carver. With the phrase, “This doesn’t feel very ‘personal,’” O’Malley was referencing the campaign “It’s Personal” that was launched on campus last fall. This campaign resulted in students paying a $300 “Student Success Fee.”

Do I still want to graduate in May? Hell yes, but not if my Bloomsburg University degree that I busted my ass over is the same value as a table napkin. I am hoping that this strike ends soon and that I can go back to my learning. I want to get out of school in a timely manner. I do not want to make up for lost time. However, I have come to realize that this strike, this contract, these professors are a lot bigger than myself. After a very long and hot day surrounded by the faculty and students, I am officially saying that I am #withAPSCUF.

As Strike Continues, So Do Concerns By Jessica Pupillo - Oct. 21, 2016

hile the strike may have been filled with fun and games in the beginning, Bloomsburg University students are now having some growing concerns about their educations, teachers, and more. The strike began two days ago on Oct. 19 and began at about 5 a.m. that morning after the faculty union, APSCUF, and the state system, PASSHE, were unable to reach an agreement regarding the new contract. Some of the main issues that are regarding the strike have to do with professor’s salaries. According to USA Today, the state was able to withdraw proposals regarding faculty members to teach more than the average four classes, increase the number of temporary faculty, and have graduate students teach classes. As of now the main concerns seem to be about professor’s salaries not Faculty members participating in strike on day 3 being high enough and the cost of health care. The strike is affecting 14 different Pennsylvania colleges including Bloomsburg University, California University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney University, Clarion University, East Stroudsburg University, Edinboro University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown University, Lock Haven University, Mansfield University, Millersville University, Shippensburg University, Slippery Rock University, and West Chester University. Many Bloomsburg students’ classes are not being held. While there are still around 20 or 30 teachers—a rough estimate—still possibly teaching, that is a small percentage of the approximate 400 professors at the school. Students are getting anxious, nervous, aggravated, and bored with the strike. Sophomore Emily Mansilla stated she has “concerns when we come back about pace of class. I don’t want to rush through stuff.” Student Laura Josuweit added that she believes “more than 3 days [of the strike] will be a mess.” Freshmen Alison McKay told BUnow that she wanted to know, “how long is it going to last? That is what I am concerned about.” Some students are not only fearing for their classes, but also their housing. Brooke Vanim, a junior at Bloomsburg University, said she was worried about getting kicked out of her apartment: “I don’t want to get kicked out of my apartment, and I don’t want to go home.”

Sophomore, Monica DeLora had this to say when asked about her opinion on strike and if she had any concerns: “I think the professors have every right to strike, but I am worried about my education. They definitely need to work towards a solution not only for the professors but also the students.” While most Bloomsburg students seem to be upset about the strike, at least a handful of students are entirely behind the strike and are okay with risking a few class days if the teachers can be treated fairly. Bloomsburg student Nick Garisto said, “I’m glad it is happening. If I have to sacrifice a week of education to get professors what they deserve I’m okay with that.” Some students are not only voicing their support through their opinions, but are going down to the picket lines with the faculty. Outside of Carver Hall, faculty are marching, holding signs and even having musical accompaniments of drums and horns. When asked why he was here today, Frank Bucco, a senior at Bloomsburg University, had this to say: “Because I feel our professors deserve more and want to be able to finish semester, and it ultimately affects students, most especially seniors like myself who want to graduate in May.” Freshmen Vanessa Yonkin, whom was seated on the stairs just steps away from the picket line, stated “We support it and we want equality for all teachers.” Professors like Joseph Tloczynski, who teaches in the Psychology department, were seated outside of Carver Hall holding signs and hoping that this course of action will help the state and union be able to come to a conclusion that is best for everyone. When asked what he would like to say to student body, Tloczynski said “basically the state needs to get back to negotiating.” Tlocyznski also stated that there were people whom were part of the union in Harrisburg protesting as well and whom have hope for them [the state] to negotiate. As of right now, there is no further information regarding the state and faculty union negotiations or any indication of when the strike will be over.

Even heavy rain will not stop these faculty members from participating in the picket line

APSCUF and PASSHE Reach an Agreement By Cindy Johnston - Oct 21, 2016

At approximately 4 p.m. today, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (AP-

SCUF) announced that the strike was over.

According to Fox 43, APSCUF and Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) have finally reached an agreement. There is now a new contract that will end on June 20, 2018. With APSCUF’s goal of keeping a quality education, they compromised with PASSHE to accept a lower salary package than most other unions in exchange for removing most of the 249 changes PASSHE proposed. APSCUF has not yet released specific details about concessions, but they will in a future statement. In a quote Fox 43 received from APSCUF President Dr. Kenneth M. Mash, Mash discussed his goals during the negotiations and his sense of relief now that the strike is over: “Our primary goals were to preserve quality education for our students, protect our adjuncts from exploitation, and make sure the varieties of faculty work are respected. We achieved every single one of those goals, and the faculty were willing to take less than every other bargaining unit in order to preserve those goals. We are relieved to have an agreement that preserves quality public higher education in Pennsylvania and allows our members to get back into the classroom where they belong.” Mash continued on to praise Gov. Tom Wolf for his support in encouraging an agreement and praised “brothers and sisters” at other unions for their support. He especially wanted to thank the students for their support: “Most of all, [we] thank our students. If any high school student is looking for a place to go to school, they should look at how much all our students supported their faculty. We have phenomenal students, and we are proud to be able to return to the classroom to supply the quality of public higher education they deserve” (Fox 43). This strike lasted almost three days and was the first strike in APSCUF history.

4 Feelings After Learning the Strike is Over

By Rachael Sheller - Oct. 22, 2016 1. Happiness

Hooray! If you’re a senior, you can take a breather, sit down, and un-clench your cheeks. This strike that lasted three school days will not have impact on whether you will graduate on time. December 2016 or my May 2017 seniors, relax kids, you’re still getting your diploma! We can hopefully look back on this experience and give it a good laugh someday. 2. Confusion Okay. So we just go back to class like nothing ever happened? Resume our daily routine? Pick up where our professor left off? I know it was only three missed school days, but, jeez, I lose track of time after a regular weekend. Wait, what day is it? What are my classes again?

3. Stress Those three days off were used for a couple of things: “Fall Block Party,” sleeping, Law & Order: SVU marathons, and more day drinking. Basically, no one studied. I’m being completely honest here. I am as prepared to get back to class as Donald Trump is prepared during the Presidential debates. Like in Trump fashion, I will just conduct myself in a manner where I think I know what I’m talking about. 4. Empowered If you were the students who stood with the professors during the strike, wrote articles or emails expressing your opinion on the matter, or just simply went outside and took pictures as a citizen journalist, congratulations. You were a part of history and you (should) feel empowered by it. You saw something that will define your time here at Bloomsburg University or any of the other schools associated with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Without us students walking side by side with the faculty, who knows how long it would’ve taken for PASSHE to return to the table and for both sides to settle their differences and reach an agreement. If you did not part take in any of this, I hope you feel empowered by beating your Netflix binge record, your day drinking record, and your pizza consuming record. We are all winners here.

The Strike is Over; Let’s Have One Last Look at What Happened By Micah Richards - Oct 21, 2016

f you are a student at any Pennsylvania state school, you probably just received a text or email letting you know that the strike has ended and that classes will be back on Monday. But what exactly went down on Bloomsburg’s campus when we were all away?

• Out of approximately 425-450 faculty, only 45 showed up to campus today. All remaining faculty were required to sign-in if they wished to be paid for the day. • Interestingly enough, there are around 100 faculty members who are not members of the teaching union. This means that about 55 non-union members did not show up during the strike. • There were a few unproductive Q&A sessions. Evidently students were not happy with the vague and rehearsed answers which were being fed to them from all sides. • Many professors began to panic as midterm grades are due next week. “Wednesday, midterm grades are due. Then the kids should really start to worry and get pissed off,” said one faculty member. Fortunately, it looks like none of us have much to be pissed off at now that the strike has ended. • Many of the dorms were half-empty. Apparently a lot of students were confident that the strike would give them a five-day weekend, so they decided not to stick around. It looks like this one worked out in their favor. Now that negotiations are over, things should return to normal for students and faculty. However, it’s safe to say that most of us will remember this past week for a very long time.

Photos courtesy of Ryan Welkom.

A “Special Message” from Chancellor Brogan and the Board of Governors By Cindy Johnston - Oct 27, 2016

ith the conclusion of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) strike at 4 p.m. this past Friday, Oct. 21, we’ve had some time to take in the craziness, reflect upon what happened, and try to return to normal campus life. Today, Bloomsburg University students received an email with a link to a message from the Board of Governors and Chancellor Brogan. Click here to see the “special message.” All in all, the Board of Governors and the Chancellor wanted to remind students, faculty, staff, and “friends” that a college campus is a special place and that the State System and the 14 universities are strongest when they work together:

Chancellor Frank Brogan

“As we look to the days and months ahead, let us remember that the State System and our universities are stronger when we stand together. Let us harness the intellect, the will, and the energy of all who know how powerfully important higher education can be, and—together—work toward a solid future for the State System.” The Board of Governors and the Chancellor also took the time to thank the students and everyone on the campuses for their patience and contributions.

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