After a long 16 months, an agreement was made.

State college and university faculty had been working under an expired contract since June 30th, 2023.

The Pennsylvania State’s System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty (APSCUF) have come to a contract agreement and are finalizing the formal language. The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, also known as APSCUF, is the union in which Commonwealth University and 13 other state chapters are members of. All 14 state chapters followed the same process.

“I am of the opinion that APSCUF did well with this proposed agreement,” Eric Hawrelak, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at Commonwealth University- Bloomsburg Campus and APSCUF chapter president said.  “There is nothing in the proposed agreement that is truly setting faculty back. Would we have like more? Of course, and we get to try for more in 2027.”

Following the finalization it must be presented to the APSCUF Legislative Assembly where it will be voted to moved on to a ratification vote with a positive, neutral, or negative recommendation. Following L.A.’s decision, a ratification vote will be held on each of the system’s 14 campuses, giving all APSCUF members the chance to vote in favor of ratifying the contract or against it. In the event that the ratification vote is approved, the Board of Governors will approve the proposal after receiving signatures from APSCUF and the State System. That will then be confirmed.

“The students should feel good that their education will not be interrupted by a strike,” Hawrelak said. “Now that the contract is settled faculty can turn their full attention back to trying to make Commonwealth University the best it can be for the students.”