SECTION 1. Discontinuance or Reduction of Academic Program.

a.      The Management shall meet, confer and consult the Union regarding any plan or scheme to discontinue or reduce a program which would result in the termination of Union members. The Management shall provide the Union access to available information or document regarding the potential reduction or discontinuance, including a list of regular faculty members who may be affected by such reduction. The principle of “last in, first out” may be generally adopted in this case, provided all other conditions are similar. The School’s needs may be taken into consideration in the criteria for reduction.

 b.      In any case of discontinuance of academic programs, the Management agrees that the affected regular faculty member shall be placed in or assigned to another available program, department or unit provided that the regular faculty member is qualified for the position.

 c.       If the discontinued program is reactivated within three (3) years, the affected regular faculty member shall automatically be reinstated without loss of rank, salary, status, benefits, privileges and membership to the Union, provided that the faculty member’s employment in the University is still active.

 d.      In case of reduction of academic program or decrease in teaching loads, the Management agrees to retain and prioritize the regular faculty members rather than hire probationary or part-time faculty.