Most faculty members refusing to cross picket lines at State System universities

Both sides at the 14 state-owned schools say they’re ready to talk as strike enters third day

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Like other state-owned campuses with faculty on strike, Edinboro University has expanded its menu of extracurricular activities for students, ranging from classes in technology and study habits to Reiki, a relaxation and healing technique.

Edinboro’s 6,200 students have extra time for those activities, given the share of union faculty showing up for classes. As of Thursday, just five faculty members out of 350 were crossing picket lines, campus officials said.

At Slippery Rock University, 46 faculty were not participating in the strike out of 454, the school reported. Clarion University said 30 out of 286 faculty members were working.

The State System of Higher Education was still calculating how many of its 5,000-plus faculty members were showing up to teach at its 14 universities and how many instead heeded instructions from the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties to stay away.

But as the APSCUF systemwide strike affecting 105,000 students enters its third day today, a clearer picture — at least on the Western Pennsylvania campuses — is emerging about the walkout’s impact on class schedules.

California University of Pennsylvania had no number but estimated 10 percent of its 401 faculty members were working. It disputed the Cal U APSCUF chapter’s assertion that a handful of the 205 tenure-track faculty were working.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania declined to provide an estimate. Based on observations and reports from students showing up to class, the IUP APSCUF chapter