Hofstra students face uncertainty over potential faculty strike during first week of classes
Some students say they are concerned about how a strike could affect their education.
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Students were back on campus at Hofstra University Sunday as professors prepared for a potential strike over a contract dispute with the school.
For freshmen, the uncertainty comes as they begin to adjust to life on campus and their first college classes.
“It would definitely be weird to start the college experience like that,” said Brandon Tierney, a freshman at the school.
“I guess it is a little bit nerve-wracking because we haven't had college classes before,” said freshman Gianni Livigni. “It's a little bit of a bump in the road, but overall, I'm not too nervous about it.”
The potential disruption is also on the minds of upperclassmen, including seniors who are beginning their final year at Hofstra.
“I’m kind of worried because I don’t want administration teaching classes or to lose instructional time online,” said Conner Keough, a senior at Hofstra. “It could really impact graduation.”
The dispute between the Hofstra chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the university centers on a new contract, with the union pointing to compensation and health care as major sticking points.
President of the Hofstra University AAUP chapter Anthony Basile said faculty members are concerned about salaries not keeping pace with inflation and increasing health care costs.
“If we are getting paid less than what inflation is and we have increasing healthcare costs every year and the university is looking to cut healthcare benefits, it's just a negative contract and that's why we haven't settled yet,” Basile explained.
The AAUP voted last month to authorize a strike if an agreement could not be reached.
Hofstra says negotiations remain active. A university spokesperson told News 12 that the school is committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to faculty while also being financially sustainable.
“Hopefully it doesn't last too long because we are paying to be here,” Tierney said.
MORE: Hofstra strike looms over contract dispute as first day of classes set to start
