University of San Diego Faculty Union

Non-Tenure Track (NTT) Faculty members at the University of San Diego (USD) do much — in some units most — of the teaching. Despite our vital work, we lack basic protections and rights that are considered a baseline for other workers. 

As part of a nationwide trend, USD continues to reduce tenure-track positions in favor of contingent, non-tenure track teaching appointments that offer no job security, much lower wages, and limited opportunities for advancement. These conditions affect student learning by limiting our ability to provide quality instruction and mentorship to our students, and they hold us back from becoming fully acknowledged and included members of the campus community.

That’s why NTT Faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences at USD are forming their union with SEIU Local 721. Only with a union can we build the power we need to gain the rights and protections we deserve. 

NTT Faculty in other units on campus are building support to join SEIU 721, too. If you’re an NTT Faculty member who supports forming a union — whether you teach in CAS or another unit — then use the button below to fill out your union authorization card.

Read our letter to fellow NTT Faculty to learn more: Dear Colleagues

Latest News

USD NTT Faculty in CAS: PLEASE READ for Important Information About Our Upcoming Union Election

CAS NTT Faculty: Our Union Election is On Vote-by-Mail Election to Start Soon Ballots to be Sent on April 23 Completed Ballots Must be Received by NLRB by May 13 See More Important Election Information Below After weeks of standing up for our right to unionize, we’re proud to announce … Read More

USD NTT Faculty: See Our Letters of Support from Union Faculty, Elected Officials, and Community Leaders!

University of San Diego (USD) non-tenure track (NTT) faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS): We’re proud to have support for our union campaign from elected officials, community leaders, and unionized NTT faculty across the country! Our supporters know that we need a change. As part of a nationwide … Read More

Get the Facts on our USD NTT Faculty Union Election and Campaign

Election FAQ for our vote-by-mail union election: Q: I already signed a union authorization card. Do I still need to vote? A: Yes, you still need to vote. Signing an authorization card is part of the process to trigger the election. Now, we are asking you to vote YES. Q: … Read More

The Union Difference at University of San Diego

Non-tenure track (NTT) faculty at the University of San Diego are the heart of our institution. We do most of the teaching and carry out the core functions of our university: instruction, mentoring, research, service, and preparing the next generation of leaders in academia and beyond. Yet, we have little … Read More

San Diego Mayor and USD Alum Todd Gloria Stands with NTT Faculty!

We’re proud to announce that San Diego Mayor and University of San Diego (USD) Alum Todd Gloria stands with NTT Faculty! On April 9, Gloria wrote to USD President James T. Harris that the university should: Respect NTT Faculty’s rights and refrain from interference or retaliation for their protected labor … Read More

USD Students and Alumni Support the NTT Faculty Union – Sign the Petition

Dear USD Colleagues – A Letter From the Organizing Committee

Dear Colleagues, For decades, higher education has trended away from tenure-track positions in favor of contingent, non-tenure track teaching appointments that offer no job security, much lower wages, and limited to no opportunities for advancement. The University of San Diego (USD) is part of this trend: Its Non-Tenure Track (NTT) … Read More

About the Campaign

Non-Tenure Track (NTT) Faculty at the University of San Diego (USD) are coming together to reform and improve our campus. For too long, we’ve held precarious positions with low pay, little job security, no meaningful academic freedom, and few opportunities for advancement. These conditions affect student learning, and they often interfere with our efforts to be the most effective educators and mentors we can be. We believe our USD students and families deserve more. 

We love USD, we love our students, and we are committed to the university’s mission of “advancing academic excellence to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and hopeful world.” Though we come from different backgrounds, all NTT Faculty at USD aim to make our university the best learning and mentorship environment possible for students, while also endeavoring to make progress in our fields.

Our working conditions must change for us to be the best professors and scholars we can be. That’s why the NTT Faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences at USD are forming a union with SEIU Local 721. Only with a union can we build the power we need to gain the rights and protections we deserve.  

NTT Faculty in other units on campus are building support to join SEIU 721, too. If you’re an NTT Faculty member who supports forming a union — whether you teach in CAS or another unit —  then use the button below to fill out your union authorization card.

We believe the time is now to call on USD to live up to its Catholic values and respect us and our rights.

CAS NTT Faculty:
Our Union Election is On

After weeks of standing up for our right to unionize, we’re proud to announce that USD has signed an election agreement with non-tenure track (NTT) faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) ensuring a fair vote in our choice to form a union!

Along with our student and community allies, we’ve shown the university that we have power, and that NTT faculty strongly support forming a union with SEIU Local 721! We urge all CAS NTT faculty to vote YES in our upcoming vote-by-mail union election.

Here are some key dates and important information about the election (we’ll send along reminders to faculty at different stages):

  • The election will be conducted by mail, with all ballots sent to eligible voters on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in the afternoon. Those eligible to vote will receive ballots at the address they have on file with the university.
  • Please make plans to send your “YES” ballot as quickly as possible to ensure the NLRB Region 21 office receives the ballot by Monday, May 13.
  • With your ballot, you’ll get both a blue and yellow envelope. Place your completed ballot in the blue envelope, and then put the blue envelope in the yellow return envelope — which will include a return address. No postage necessary.
  • You must sign the back of the yellow return envelope in the provided space. Any ballot in an envelope that is not signed will NOT be counted.

Who’s Eligible to Vote?

Eligible voters include all full-time and part-time non-tenure track faculty, including with the title of Lecturer, Lecturer I, Lecturer II, Adjunct Instructor, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Professor of Practice, Visiting Assistant Professor, and Applied Music Instructor, who are employed by the University of San Diego (USD) and taught at least one credit-earning class, section, lesson, or lab within the academic unit known as the USD College of Arts and Science in the semesters spring 2023, fall 2023, or spring 2024.

“NTT faculty are a vital, significant, and vibrant part of the USD campus community. We do the majority of teaching on campus, in addition to serving our students and colleagues in so many other ways. And yet, often the University does not recognize us, listen to us, or invest in us as the as the essential faculty that we are. It is my hope that Non-Tenure Track unionization will be an important way to ensure that we are properly heard, respected, and valued at USD. ”
Holly Hamilton-Bleakley
Adjunct Assistant Professor

“As internship coordinator, I help students and alumni find internships and ultimately full-time jobs. Over the past few years, I’ve observed that the starting salaries for our alumni in entry level positions have consistently exceeded the salary I make after teaching courses at USD for over 29 years. At USD our compensation should be at least a livable wage for Southern California and should be commensurate with experience.”
Eric Cathcart
Assistant Teaching Professor

“Security and dignity make us better teachers and are what every member of our community deserves. I believe unionization will help non-tenure track faculty enjoy working conditions that reflect the value we bring to the university.”
Jonathan Wadley
Adjunct Assistant Professor

Follow Us