Dear AU Community,

I am pleased to announce that we have a tentative agreement on a new two-year contract with the Provost and Enrollment division staff bargaining unit, which also includes staff members in Student Affairs, OIT, and UCM. I want to acknowledge the union for working with us to reach this agreement.  

Among other things, the new contract provides members of the bargaining unit with:

• A two percent compensation increase for employees making less than $60,000 annually and a one-time, one percent payment to employees making between $60,000 and $64,999;
• A commitment from the university to bargain about an updated compensation methodology;
• Up to two fully remote work weeks per fiscal year, subject to supervisor approval and university operational needs, and no university-wide changes to hybrid modalities through June 2027; and
• A commitment to maintain current tuition remission benefits through June 2027.

As noted in our previous labor updates, contract provisions are equitably applied to all employees. We already announced some of these provisions for non-union employees in our September 25 message.

I want to thank the university’s negotiating team. They worked diligently and creatively over the past six months to reach this positive outcome. The tentative agreement will now be submitted for ratification according to the union’s process.

The successful completion of the contract is good for all our pursuits and priorities. We are moving forward on our mission and providing the exceptional community and learning environment that is central to our students’ success. With numerous highlights and achievements already in the first month of the semester–from Sarah McBride’s inspiring remarks to the 20^th anniversary of the Katzen Arts Center–this contract is another boost to our growing momentum.

Sincerely,

Jonathan R. Alger
President, American University