OU Faculty Contract Set To Expire

ROCHESTER (WWJ) - The contract for more than 700 faculty members at Oakland University is scheduled to expire Monday at midnight.

Karen Miller, president of the faculty union told WWJ Newsradio 950 that money has been the main sticking point.

"I know our side is very committed to the beginning of a smooth academic year in 2012, and that we wanna have a settlement," Miller said. "We just want to have an equitable settlement that will be good for the long-term intellectual health of the university."

Miller many professors were "insulted" the university's financial offer.

"Many of them used the term 'slap in the face,' that they were hurt, they felt that they were unvalued. I'd like to think that that was not the intent of the university," she said.

Millers said she expects the contract will be extended to allow for additional sessions with a mediator.

There's been no official word from the university as to a contract extension. Classes are scheduled to start in just 15 days.

WWJ has a call in to the university for comment.