Tufts University and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract for part-time lecturers in Tufts’ School of Arts and Sciences.

Details about the agreement will be made public upon ratification by all Tufts part-time lecturers in the School of Arts and Sciences. Negotiations began in January of this year, and the bargaining teams have met regularly since that time. There are about 200 lecturers in the bargaining unit and efforts are underway to complete the process by late October.

The university and the SEIU are pleased to have reached this accord through a process that reflected a mutual commitment to students and respect for the interests and concerns of both the part-time lecturers and the university administration.

“We recognize the valuable contributions our part-time Arts & Sciences faculty make to the vibrant academic environment at Tufts. We believe this contract reflects our commitment to recognizing those contributions within the overall context of the university’s priorities,” said James M. Glaser, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences ad interim.

Tufts Part-time Lecturer Andy Klatt said, “Our tentative agreement with Tufts University reflects the institution’s long tradition of an inclusive and collaborative environment. Our negotiations were not always easy, but were always conducted in a respectful, honest, and collegial manner with the Tufts administration’s committee. We will recommend this proposal to all the part-time lecturers who will vote to approve it later this month. We believe it sets a high standard and balances the University’s stated need for flexibility and our goal of winning greater stability and security as members of the Tufts faculty.”