Today, there is a dark cloud over Eastern Michigan University. The reason for this cloud is that there is a widespread perception that the administration and BOR does not respect the faculty. What we need to do now is to lift this cloud, start the healing, and move forward, so that we can focus on our main goal that we all share: delivering a quality education to our students.

As we move forward, Regent Valvo, I make you the following offer: If you will accept ALL the findings of the fact finding process, then we at the AAUP will do the same. Regent Valvo, this simple gesture will do more to restore faculty confidence than anything else that can be done. I look forward to your response.

Given all the outside people hired during the course of these negotiations, it seems likely the administration will also be hiring an outside consultant to write the fact-finding report. Although you've repeatedly denied our requests to know how much the administration spends on these services, we believe it would significantly close or even exceed the differences between the sides in the contract negotiations. Here is what we suggest: Instead of spending large sums of money fighting and denigrating the faculty, put those resources into an offer that is more in line with other Michigan and peer universities. This could also start the healing process.

Last week, the financial results of EMU for the year ended June 30, 2006 were released. In general, these results confirm what we at the AAUP have claimed for a long time: That Eastern Michigan University is in very strong financial condition. Here are some highlights from these financial results:

• EMU has over $90 million in cash and investments
• Revenues exceeded expenses by almost $5 million in 2005-06. Therefore, EMU had its best financial year since 2002.
• This increase was not due to a reduction of expenses. Total expenses increased 3.1% from 2005 to 2006. At the same time, total revenues increased 4.6% over the same period. This again indicates financial strength.
• Unrestricted net assets increased $1.3 million, and are now $29.334 million. This is a metric often utilized in the analysis of public financial statements to reflect financial viability.

During negotiations, the AAUP position has been that we deserve a contract that reflects the net increase that is the average of Michigan contracts that have been settled in the last year. We have proposed significant faculty contributions to health care costs, including faculty bearing a significant burden for future increases in these costs. We are pleased that EMU is in such a strong financial position. What we are asking for is that the administration spends its resources on the core educational mission of the university.

The faculty at EMU is committed to the education of our wonderful students. We are thrilled to be back in the classroom. We are back teaching, mentoring, advising, writing recommendation letters, directing research, and giving career advice to our students. The faculty at Eastern Michigan University chose to come here because this is an institution that values teaching. Please, consider how these values can be maintained, and how we can move forward in a positive and productive manner.

For those who want further information, earlier EMU-AAUP analysis of the University's financial condition is available in our Health Care presentation: http://emu-aaup.org/node/91

Please also see our Facts & Myths: http://emu-aaup.org/node/193