TO: UMDNJ Faculty & Librarians
FROM: Alex E. Bernstein, Executive Director, AAUP-UMDNJ
DATE: October 3, 2007
RE: KNOW YOUR RIGHT TO AAUP REPRESENTATION
In these uncertain times and with such a focus on compliance, the University has recently disciplined and is pursuing disciplinary action against tenured and non-tenured faculty.
To ensure you are fully aware of your rights, I am writing to advise you that you have a legal right to AAUP representation if you are asked to attend an investigatory meeting or asked to answer any questions that you reasonably believe may result in discipline. If your request for an AAUP representative is denied and you are asked to attend the meeting, I recommend that you not attend the meeting or answer any questions until an AAUP representative is present.
Why is the presence of an AAUP representative important? An AAUP representative will ensure that you fully understand your rights, strategically advise you how to respond to questions, ask important questions of the University, and most importantly, ensure that you are being treated fairly.
Moreover, your request for an AAUP representative will alert AAUP to your circumstances and protect your rights under the law and AAUP’s contract.
More information on your rights to AAUP representation is available on AAUP’s website at http://aaupumdnj.org/weingarten.htm.
If you have any questions regarding the above or are in need of AAUP representation, please contact:
For Newark Faculty & Librarians:
Alex E. Bernstein
Executive Director
bernstein@aaupumdnj.org
973-972-5875
Amy Reeder
Senior Staff Representative
reeder@aaupumdnj.org 732-235-4196
Robert Witkowski
Labor Relations Representative
witkowski@aaupumdnj.org
732-235-4196