Dismissal of 14 faculty and seven professional staff members would occur at the end of Stockton’s academic year

Galloway — In response to planned faculty and staff layoffs at Stockton University, the Stockton Federation of Teachers (AFT Local 2275) and the Council of New Jersey State College Locals will take action Oct. 8 during and after President Joe Bertolino’s state of the university address.

SFT members will gather in solidarity inside the Campus Center Theatre from 1-3 p.m. for Bertolino’s address. Immediately afterward, the SFT and their supporters will convene at Independence Plaza on the main Galloway campus for a rally, during which they will deliver their response to Bertolino’s address. In addition, they will publicly demand that the Stockton administration work in collaboration and with transparency with the SFT to resolve the university’s financial crisis without shrinking its workforce and laying off workers.

These actions were prompted by the Stockton Federation of Teachers and the college community receiving formal notice Oct. 6 that retrenchment notices were being issued to 14 faculty and seven professional staff members.

“Our faculty and staff are the heart of Stockton University, not line items to be erased,” said Tara Luke, SFT president and a professor of biology. “Cutting 21 faculty and professional staff positions directly undermines Stockton University’s core educational mission, reduces student support services, and shortchanges the students who rely on us for a high-quality college experience.”

The administration has provided no additional information regarding affected programs, titles or individual employees, and hiding behind vague retrenchment notices “threatens

the quality of education our students paid for and deserve,” Luke added. “The Stockton Federation of Teachers will not stand by while the administration shortchanges our members, our students and our South Jersey community.”

As the primary higher education anchor institution in the region, Stockton University plays a vital role in serving local students and families. More than 51 percent of Stockton students are first-generation college students, and more than 48 percent receive federal Pell Grants for low-income families.

Stockton consistently delivers on its promise: Four- and six-year graduation rates remain well above national averages, and the university was recently ranked in the Top 50 nationally for graduating low-income students. These outcomes are driven by hardworking faculty and staff who work directly with students every day to ensure their success. Furthermore, Stockton’s workforce has remained exemplary stewards of public resources, operating effectively despite receiving well-below-average state appropriations during the most recent budget cycle compared to peer institutions with smaller student bodies.

Emari DiGiorgio, president of the Council of New Jersey State College Locals, emphasized the urgency of union action.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with AFT Local 2275 in opposing these cuts,” DiGiorgio said. “Retrenchment is a drastic measure that jeopardizes the quality of education and support services our students deserve. Pursuant to our collective bargaining agreement, we will exercise our full rights under Article XLI.A.4 to demand formal consultation within the required five-day window to challenge these proposed cuts and demand complete transparency. Furthermore, we will pursue impact negotiations under Article XLI.A.13 to protect our members and preserve working conditions across the institution.”

“What we are witnessing at Stockton University today is the direct result of previous administrations’ fiscal mismanagement and poor long-term planning,” AFT New Jersey President Jennifer S. Higgins said. “In order for New Jersey’s higher education sector to prepare the workforce of the future, we need a comprehensive plan that balances regional development needs with sustainable and consistent levels of funding from the state.”

Scheduled to speak at the rally on Oct. 8 are:

• Ramya Vijaya, a professor of economics

• Kerrin Wolf, an associate professor of business studies, public law

• Sarah Albertson, professional staff in the GENS office

For more information about what Stockton Federation of Teachers is facing, contact:

• Tara Luke / President of the Stockton Federation of Teachers tara.luke@stockton.edu

• Emari DiGiorgio / President of the Council of New Jersey State College Locals digiorgio@cnjscl.org

(609) 553-8994

For more information about New Jersey’s higher education system, contact:

• Jennifer S. Higgins / President of AFT New Jersey jhiggins@aftnj.org

(201) 400-8099

About Stockton Federation of Teachers (AFT Local 2275)

The Stockton Federation of Teachers (AFT Local 2275) is an affiliate of the Council of New Jersey State College Locals, the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. SFT represents faculty (full-time, part-time and adjunct), librarians and professional staff at Stockton University, advocating for fair working conditions, academic freedom, and high-quality public higher education in our region and across the state of New Jersey. For more information, visit sftunion.org and cnjscl.org.

A campus map and visitor parking information can be found at: https://www.stockton.edu/parking/galloway/visitor-guest.htm