Q: What contractual responsibilities do faculty members (term and tenured/tenure track) have to UMD during the summer?
A: None whatsoever. The dates of the contracts do not include the summers. You may make a formal arrangement to be paid to teach a summer class, advise students, or work a set number of hours running a program or department. Otherwise, work completed in the summer is optional and uncompensated. Think of it as being a volunteer.
Q: What about faculty who are teaching a summer class?
A: If you’re teaching a summer class or otherwise receiving direct compensation for work completed during the summer months, you are obligated to fulfill those roles. Our work action only covers uncompensated (volunteer) labor.
Q: What if my department head or someone else at UMD asks me to do work over the summer?
A: Kindly remind them that your contract does not include summer work, or ask them for compensation if they’re asking you for labor. Please speak with UEA about how to go about this.
Q: Is this a strike?
A: No. A strike is a refusal to do the work you were hired to do. You were hired to work for pay during the dates listed in your contract. We are asking you to refuse to work as a volunteer during the summer months.
Q: What if a student reaches out to me with a question, needs advising help, etc?
A: Please refer the student to your department head. If you feel a moral obligation to assist your student, you may do so, but please explain that UMD will not compensate you for your work in the summer months.
Q: Can I still pursue my own research and creative endeavors, attend conferences in my field, advance my personal/professional goals, and make any preparations for classes I may or may not teach in Fall 2023?
A: Certainly! You work for yourself in the summer.
If you have other questions not addressed in this FAQ, please contact
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