Provost and Executive Vice Chancelor Enrique J. Lavernia released the following letter that he sent to deans and department chairs, in regard to a possible faculty walkout.

Sept. 11, 2009

Deans and Department Chairs

I am writing to provide you with information about the possibility that some faculty may participate in a walkout that is being considered for Sept. 24, the first day of instruction, and to enlist your efforts to help us plan in advance, so that we as an institution are prepared to address students whose classes may be affected by the walkout. I believe that coordination and communication are key to ensure that our students’ experience during the first day of classes remains positive and rewarding, and I would like to thank you in anticipation of your assistance.

Let me first provide some background information. As you may know, the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) bargaining unit has called for a systemwide strike at the UC campuses on the first day of instruction. UPTE initiated its strike plans because it believes that the UC is not bargaining in good faith in current contract negotiations. Some UC Davis faculty have publicly called for a faculty walkout from classes on the same day as the UPTE strike, as a way to reinforce their opposition to the way the UC has handled the budget
crisis. It is possible that other academic appointees, including Non-Senate Lecturers and Teaching Assistants, may also join the job action on Sept. 24. Although I am optimistic that UC Davis faculty will fulfill their teaching obligations, the campus must be prepared to fulfill our responsibility to our students if walkouts do occur.

First and foremost, it is my expectation that we prepare to address the needs of the students who might be affected. The Chancellor plans to communicate with the students to prepare them if a job action seems imminent, and to let them know that they should attend the first day of classes. If a faculty member elects not to teach that day, then at a minimum each department must be prepared with a plan to meet the students and to handle the critical administrative functions of taking attendance and recording possible overenrollments.

I am prepared to provide departments with temporary support funds to achieve this. As a first step, I ask that you survey faculty in your departments to ascertain the potential for them to participate in a walkout. Department chairs should then work with their deans and with each other to determine how each potentially affected course will be handled and who will meet the students in each class that is affected.

Some additional ideas have emerged that I urge you to consider:

• Work with faculty who have announced their intent to be absent during the first day of classes, and be prepared to distribute course materials such as syllabi, notes, etc.

• Encourage faculty to work with their peers to make sure that students do not show up to an empty classroom.

• Deans and department chairs should talk about this and meet with your faculty to discuss options and strategies.

I appreciate the challenges that accompany this preparation and I welcome your ideas andsuggestions for how we might support your efforts.

Sincerely,

Enrique J. Lavernia
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor