400 Days Without a Contract: Ohio University Faculty Rally Against a Decade of Disinvestment
After two years without raises or cost-of-living adjustments, faculty face declining compensation and limited institutional support.
ATHENS, Ohio — Today, more than 250 Ohio University faculty, students, alumni, workers, local businesses, and community supporters gathered on College Green Sept. 9, 2026 to demand a fair first contract for faculty. The rally marked 400 days since contract negotiations between the university and United Academics of Ohio University (UAOU) began on August 4, 2025.
Bargaining-unit faculty have received no across-the-board pay raise or cost-of-living adjustment in the last two years. Ohio University has also allowed faculty salaries to fall dramatically behind its competitors. At the same time, the university has reduced or eliminated many of the support positions and services that help faculty teach, conduct research, advise students, and keep academic programs running. The responsibilities those support staff handled do not simply disappear when their positions are eliminated. The result is less faculty time available for students, course development, research, and mentorship.
“The fight for a fair first contract for faculty belongs to everyone who cares about the future of Ohio University; strong universities invest in educators,” said Corey Boby, an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Mathematics Department.
Ohio University has also allowed faculty salaries to fall dramatically behind its competitors. A decade ago, faculty salaries at Ohio University were competitive with other public research institutions in the state, ranking near third across faculty ranks. After years of failing to prioritize educators, Ohio University’s faculty compensation ranks second lowest among Ohio’s public research institutions, according to UAOU’s analysis.
Despite the decline, the administration made faculty wait 301 days for a response to UAOU’s compensation proposal. When it finally responded, its counterproposal failed to seriously address years of stagnant pay, salary compression, and Ohio University’s declining competitiveness. The university called its long-delayed response an “important milestone.”
“Responding after 301 days with a completely unrealistic proposal is not an accomplishment, it is a continued delay tactic. The administration needs to stop celebrating delay and start delivering results.” Matt deTar, Associate Professor, Communication Studies
The recent elimination of the Office of Instructional Design is one example of the continuing loss of institutional support. As recently as August 21, Ohio University publicly told faculty that assistance from the Office of Instructional Design would continue throughout the semester. Ten days later, the university “sunset” the entire office, eliminating positions of eight instructional designers, a project manager, and the office’s director. Faculty are now being directed toward “self-service resources,” while the university pivots to rely on outside vendors for some instructional-design services.
When faculty have less access to administrative, technical, and instructional support, students feel the consequences. Faculty have less time for individual mentorship and course development. Programs lose institutional knowledge. Students encounter fewer experienced professionals who understand Ohio University’s systems, programs, and communities.
The university’s failure to maintain competitive compensation creates similar consequences. Experienced faculty leave for institutions that provide better pay and support. Searches become more difficult. Departments lose mentors, researchers, and educators whose expertise can take years to replace.
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