Rider, Faculty Still Negotiating Contract Ahead Of Fall Semester

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Rider University’s faculty reportedly remain without a contract a week before classes are scheduled to begin. The first day of classes is Wednesday, Sept. 6.

However, a contract for the nearly 600 professors, coaches, athletic trainers and librarians expires on Thursday, Aug. 31, Planet Princeton reports. Union and university representatives were scheduled to meet on Thursday to try to get a contract together, but the union tells the website the sides are still far apart. Many professors are joining a picket line, while the university is posting job openings online.

The union contends the university is asking its faculty to give up about $10 million annually to keep the university solvent, according to the university’s proposal posted online. This is $4 million than what was asked by Rider in November, according to the report.

“Cost of attendance is the number one reason cited by students who choose not to attend Rider and respond to the Admissions survey,” the university says in the proposal.

The university’s peak enrollment came in the 2009-2010 school year, with the decline beginning in 2011.

“Rider’s 2016 audited financial statements show net tuition revenue of $98.3 million, lower in real dollar terms than the five-year earlier 2011 audit total of $100 million,” according to the proposal. “That is the result of both lower enrollment and the need to discount tuition at higher rates to address competitor net tuition costs and affordability concerns of students and their families. Over the 2011 to 2016 period, the University’s unrestricted operating results went from essentially break even at a $244,000 surplus to a $2.5 million deficit.”

• From 2011 through 2016, Rider spent $9.4 million of one time, large dollar estate and foundation gifts to offset WCC operating deficits. All funds were used in ways that complied with donor restrictions. No funds will remain at June 2017.
• A total of $10 million in quasi-endowment investments have been liquidated to cover operating deficits. $5.1 million was used in fiscal 2016, and all of the remainder will be spent at June 2017.
• Rider reduced costs to compensate for stagnation and inflation. The $20.4 million in cuts to date represent 13% of current year costs. 70% of those cuts impacted non-AAUP employees and non-instructional budgets, and incremental non-academic opportunities are limited.

The university claims the average salary for its full-time faculty is $5,202, greater than the peer average of $2,434. It proposes changing the salary structure and health benefits, workload and the handling of tenure and promotions, among other items. To view the full proposal, click here.

Rider’s finances were at the root of its decision late last year to consider closing the Westminster Choir College’s Princeton campus. At the time, it was reported the university was facing a $13.1 million deficit by 2019.

Earlier this month, the university announced it found an international partner to purchase the college, but the price is still to be negotiated.

Patch file photo