IN THE MATTER OF ARBITRATION BETWEEN
____________________________________
INTER FACULTY ORGANIZATION
)
)
ARBITRATION
Union,
)
AWARD
)
and
)
)
TUITION WAIVER FOR
)
APPLIED DOCTORATES
)
GRIEVANCE
MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES
)
AND UNIVERSITIES,
)
)
Employer.
)
____________________________________)
Arbitrator:
Stephen F. Befort
Hearing Date:
September 21, 2007
Post-hearing briefs received:
November 16, 2007
Date of decision:
January 4, 2008
APPEARANCES
For the Union:
Connie L. Howard
For the Employer:
James G. Jorstad
INTRODUCTION
The Inter Faculty Organization (IFO or Union) is the exclusive representative of a
unit of professional faculty instructors employed by Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities in the State University system (MnSCU or Employer). The Union brings
this grievance claiming that the Employer violated the parties’ collective bargaining
agreement by declining to recognize the tuition waiver provision contained in Article 27
of the agreement as applicable to otherwise eligible faculty and family members enrolled
in applied doctorate programs. The grievance proceeded to an arbitration hearing at
which the parties were afforded the opportunity to present evidence through the
testimony of witnesses and the introduction of exhibits.
ISSUES
1)
Has the Employer violated the parties’ collective bargaining agreement by
refusing to apply the tuition waiver provision in Article 27 to courses in
applied doctorate programs offered at MnSCU state universities?
2)
If so, what is the appropriate remedy?
RELEVANT CONTRACT LANGUAGE
ARTICLE 27
General Provisions
Section G. Courses, Tuition and Fees. Full-time Faculty members, and
all probationary, non-tenure track, and tenured part-time faculty members
shall be entitled to enrollment in courses at any university