HARRISBURG, Pa. (EYT) — Pa. State System of Higher Education chancellor Frank Brogan (pictured above) appeared on Facebook live Tuesday morning for about 45 minutes to address the many concerns students have about the possible strike and on-going negotiations with the union that represents faculty members and coaches at its 14 universities.
Faculty members and coaches represented by APSCUF at the universities — including Clarion, Indiana, Slippery Rock, Lock Haven, California, Edinboro, Bloomsburg, Shippensburg, East Stroudsburg, Mansfield, Cheyney, Kutztown, Millersville, and West Chester — have worked without a contract since June 30, 2015.
On September 23, APSCUF set Wednesday, October 19, as a strike date.
APSCUF has authorized strikes in each of the last rounds of bargaining in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2012.
APSCUF last set a strike date in 2007, but a strike did not happen.
Students have many questions about how a strike could affect them. Most deal with completing the semester and financial aid.
Brogan said the SSHE will do everything possible for the student to finish the semester and collect a grade and the credits that go along with it.
“We may have to find different approaches to accomplish this, and people will have to be patient because, in an extreme circumstance, it may require delays to ultimately satisfying these grades,” Brogan said.
If a strike does occur, Brogan said that students should continue to attend regularly-scheduled classes.
“Each student is responsible for attending all scheduled classes regardless of what professors do,” Brogan said. “The universities will have to keep an accurate accounting, so that over the longer term we know which faculty remained in the classroom and which are out.”
One of the people with a question for Brogan was a Clarion University student who said he is set to graduate on Saturday, December 17, and has a job waiting for him the following Monday.
“We will do everything in our power for you to finish your classwork and walk that graduation stage. You and your family deserve that,” Brogan said.
On its website at passhe.edu, there is a link to frequently asked questions, including one about courses cancelled because of a strike affecting financial aid, which reads: “In an extended strike situation, all efforts will be made to continue the semester, even if it means extending the semester through normal breaks and beyond the official end date, or finding alternative means to complete the course that would fulfill the U.S. Department of Education’s requirements.”
“As long as the university is able to do so, your financial aid and student bill will not be affected. If a protracted strike prevents the university from completing the semester, there could be an impact on student financial aid. Each university is committed to ensuring students can complete their educational experience.”
“If that is not possible, affected students will receive a tuition refund. This means there may be an adjustment to your student bill that could affect your financial aid award for the semester.”
In terms of making up lost class time, it will be determined at the end of the strike.
The semester may have to be extended through normal breaks and beyond the official end date or finding other ways to complete the course that fulfills the U.S. Department of Education’s requirements.
Brogan said he is hopeful that a strike will not happen.
“Never in my 38 years in education, have I been involved in a strike. And, our faculty, contrary to what you may have heard, is well respected by this chancellor, the Board of Governors, the presidents, the universities, and by our broader constituencies.”
