Organization of Part-Time Faculty

In 2012, the Cooper Union Organization of Part-Time Faculty (CUOP) and the Cooper Union administration agreed on an initial contract. In 2015, CUOP and Cooper Union negotiated a new contract, which is in effect through 2017.

Highlights of the 2015 contract include:

  • Raises for part-timers
  • An increased health care fund ($15,000) for adjuncts
  • A professional development fund for adjuncts
  • A requirement that 15% of adjunct faculty school-wide have multi-year contracts
  • A tier system that ensures that adjuncts' service years are credited and rewarded
  • Timely notice of appointment and reappointment

CUOP represents and negotiates on behalf of a bargaining unit consisting of all adjunct, visiting, and proportional faculty members. Dues or agency fees are automatically deducted from bargaining unit members’ salaries: part-timers who prefer not to join CUOP have agency fees deducted from their salaries. But a union is as strong as its members, and we strongly urge you to fill out your membership forms and authorize dues payments, not agency fees.

Union membership entitles you to vote in elections, hold union office, have a voice in meetings and negotiations, and participate in NYSUT’s benefits programs. You should receive a union membership form (which includes dues authorization) when you receive your hire/re-hire letter from Human Resources. You can also download the form. Be sure to fill out BOTH parts of the form.

We are always looking for member involvement in all faculties. For more information about CUOP and/or to get involved, contact cooperunionparttimefaculty@gmail.com

CUOP, CUFCT, and U@CU are all local affiliates of New York State United Teachers.

CUOP PRESIDENT: Maren Stange, HSS faculty

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.