Repository:

Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Title:

Kent State University United Faculty Professional Association records

Inclusive Date(s):

1972-1987

Author:

Finding aid prepared by Kristin Silvestro, October 2023

Creation:

Finding aid encoded by Kristin Silvestro using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2023

Description Rules:

Finding aid prepared using DACS 2nd Edition

Origination:

Kent State University. United Faculty Professional Association

Extent:

0.83 cubic feet (2 boxes = 1 half size record storage box and 1 legal document case)

Physical Location:

10th floor

Finding Aid Identifier:

OhKeUSC0225

Abstract:

This collection, compiled by the Special Collections and Archives, contains materials related to the creation of the United Faculty Professional Association (UFPA), the role of the UFPA in collective bargaining negotiations with the University, and information on the relationship of the UFPA to the Kent State chapter of the AAUP (American Association of University Professors) and the local OEA (Ohio Education Association) chapter. There are organizational records for the UFPA, collective bargaining agreements and agreement modifications, correspondence files, and general reports. The UFPA continues today as the University's chapter of the AAUP.

Language(s):

The records are in English.

History of United Faculty Professional Association

The United Faculty Professional Association (UFPA) was created in 1975 when the Ohio Education Association (OEA) [also known as the Kent State Faculty Association] and the Kent State chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) merged. The two-fold purpose of the merger was to help win the right to collective bargaining at Kent State and to be the agent that would represent the faculty in negotiations with the university.

The first major challenge that the UFPA faced was the official collective bargaining election. The UFPA led the campaign to defeat the "no agent" option. By winning this vote, Kent State became one of the earliest public institutions in Ohio to endorse collective bargaining. After defeating the "no agent" bid, the UFPA took on the responsibility of representing the faculty in negotiations with the administration and Board of Trustees. The board recognized the right to collective bargaining in 1976, but progress was slow. It would not be until September 16, 1978 that all parties would accept and officially sign the first Collective Bargaining Agreement. This original agreement formed the basis for future negotiations and agreement modifications between the union and the university. At its inception in 1975, the UFPA members continued to pay dues to both the AAUP and OEA; however, the dual dues arrangement became less tenable overtime. To address the issue, the UFPA held a referendum in 1978-1979 to decide how to move forward. The result of the vote led the UFPA to disaffiliate from the OEA in 1979. This disaffiliation made the UFPA essentially an AAUP chapter, but it would continue under the name United Faculty Professional Association until 1987.

Additional information on the history of collective bargaining at the university can be found in the article "The History of the Tenure Track Unit: A Brief History of Collective Bargaining at Kent State University" by Ken Calkins, Emeritus, on the website of the Kent State Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Scope and Content

The Kent State University United Faculty Professional Association records includes articles, brochures, collective bargaining documents, correspondence, flyers, foundational documents, forms, handbooks, minutes, newsletters, papers, speeches, and reports.

Statement of Arrangement

The Kent State University United Faculty Professional Association records is divided into series as follows:

• Series 1: Organizational Records
• Series 2: Collective Bargaining Documents
• Series 3: Correspondence
• Series 4: Reports

Related Material

Further information concerning collective bargaining at Kent State University can be found in the American Association of University Professors, Kent State University Chapter records.

Preferred Citation

Kent State University. United Faculty Professional Association records. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

This collection was compiled by the Special Collections and Archives at Kent State University from a number of acquisitions and donations, many of which lacked specific acquisition and provenance documentation.

Controlled Access Headings

The following are found in this collection:

Subjects:

• Kent State University. United Faculty Professional Association -- Archives
• American Association of University Professors. Kent State University Chapter -- Archives
• Kent State University -- Faculty -- Labor unions -- History -- 20th century
• College teachers' unions -- Ohio -- Kent -- History -- 20th century
• Collective bargaining -- College teachers -- Ohio -- Kent -- History -- 20th century
• Collective labor agreements -- Government employees -- Ohio -- Kent -- History -- 20th century
• College teachers -- Salaries, etc. -- Ohio -- Kent -- History -- 20th century

Organizations/Corporations:

• American Association of University Professors. Kent State University Chapter

Functions:

• Collective bargaining
• College teachers' unions -- Organizing

Places:

• Kent (Ohio)

Occupations:

• College teachers

Material Types:

• Publications (Documents)
• Brochures
• Records (Documents)
• Correspondence
• Business correspondence
• Fliers (Ephemera)
• Handbooks and manuals
• Minutes (Records)
• Newsletters
• Speeches

Detailed Description of the Collection