Miami University's faculty union says administrators are preventing it from participating in a demonstration planned for Sept. 2. University officials, however, argue the event violates university policy and state law.
The Faculty Alliance of Miami, which represents full-time continuing faculty and librarians, invited professors to teach their classes outside on the university quad for the day.
Two days before the planned "Labor Day Teach-Out," Miami University's Office of the Provost sent an email to faculty, stating that all classes must meet at their scheduled times and locations unless a department chair approves a change. The email, which directly references the teach-out, said that the university and union's collective bargaining agreement
and Ohio law mandate faculty "fulfill their assigned University responsibilities."
"Faculty may not fail to teach, materially curtail instruction, slow down or partially withhold assigned work, or otherwise interfere with University operations as part of the event," the email said.
The email said that the requirements outlined by the university are not targeting "faculty members' viewpoints, union membership, or participation in lawful union or expressive activity." The union disagrees.
In a Sept. 2 press release, the union said faculty historically have not needed department-chair approval to move classes outdoors, raising concerns that the university is targeting protected union activity.
“By forbidding faculty from moving their courses outside, the University has turned what was otherwise going to be a celebration of our students and our teaching into a swell of faculty outrage about this unprecedented new edict,” the union's president, Theresa Kulbaga, said in the release.
University: 'Student learning should come first'
Seth Bauguess, Miami University's senior director of communications, said the university's concern is not outdoor instruction but using "instructional time or activities to subject students to a concerted Union-organized labor action."
"The basic principle is that student learning should come first," Bauguess said in a statement to The Enquirer.
Bauguess said that the teach-out violates Miami's Statement of Essential Teaching Practices and professional code of ethics, which "require faculty to maintain an effective learning environment, treat students with courtesy and respect and avoid exploiting students for private advantage."
Officials cite controversial higher education law
The university also cited Senate Bill 1, the sweeping and controversial Ohio higher education lawenacted in 2025, in its opposition to the faculty union event.
In an Aug. 30 letter to the union, university attorney Jazmyn Barrow argued that Senate Bill 1 and Ohio law prohibit full-time faculty at public colleges and universities from striking. The attorney also cited part of Ohio lawthat applies to part-time faculty and argued the teach-out amounts to an "unauthorized strike."
The Aug. 30 letter said that if faculty violate the law, the university can "suspend, discipline, or discharge" them. The university demanded the union do the following:
- "Withdraw" any communication about its Sept. 2 teach-out and stop promoting the event.
- Send "corrective communication" to faculty telling them to meet at their previously scheduled times and locations.
- Tell faculty that union and expressive activity can't interfere with university operations, instruction and approved student accommodations.
- Discourage and prevent union faculty from participating in the prohibited activity.
Though it canceled the teach-out, the Faculty Alliance of Miami is still encouraging professors to assemble at 4 p.m. outside an all-faculty meeting. Kulbaga said faculty will meet administrators as they walk into the meeting.
Negotiations ongoing
Miami University employs about 1,500 faculty members, according to the Office of the Provost.
The faculty union has been negotiating with the university on a contract for around six months, according to the Sept. 2 release.
Kulbaga said the union wants higher annual wage increases, among other compensation and benefits improvements.
"We want management to spend its wealth on the educational mission, including paying faculty salaries that keep up with the cost of living," Kulbaga said. "They are spending millions on other priorities, such as a new $281K+ sports arena, and not offering raises that keep up with the cost of living."
"The university remains committed to engaging in good faith negotiations and reaching a successor contract agreement with FAM," Bauguess said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Miami faculty cancel 'teach-out' after university says it violates law
