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Student FAQs
General FAQs
After months of negotiations, California State University (CSU) has been unable to reach a collective bargaining agreement on compensation and other issues with the California Faculty Association (CFA). As part of the collective bargaining process, employee unions have the option to strike should there be no agreement after the conclusion of impasse proceedings.
Please be aware that CSU campuses, including CSUCI, have not canceled classes during that period and do not intend to cancel any classes. However, the decision to strike or not is an individual faculty member’s decision to make and individual classes may be canceled.
Students should check with each of their professors as to whether they intend to hold class during that time.
Please check back frequently to this webpage as additional FAQs may be added.
Resources:
CSU Labor and Employee Relations
CSU Bargaining News
Student FAQs
1. When will a strike occur?
The California Faculty Association (CFA), which represents instructional faculty, coaches, librarians and psychological counselors, has called for a five-day strike from Monday, January 22, to Friday, January 26, on every CSU campus in which they are encouraging their membership to withhold work – including canceling classes, not answering emails, and not attending other job functions such as committee work or research -- and join picket lines.
2. How many CSUCI employees could be participating in this strike?
There could be up to 400+ CFA who decide to strike at CSUCI.
3. Will classes, events or counseling services be canceled while faculty are on strike?
Campus will remain open and operational January 22-26 during labor union strikes. CSUCI has not canceled classes, but individual classes may be canceled by faculty members who choose to honor the strike. In addition, mental health counselors who decide to strike may cancel appointments. However, you should not assume that all your classes, events, or counseling services will be canceled, as not all faculty will strike.
You should stay in touch with each of your instructors or counselors. You may also check your class portal and university email for notifications of any changes to your classes or appointments.
You can share any concerns about canceled classes, mental health counseling appointments, or events and other student services via this reporting form. Through that link you may provide details about the class or service that was canceled.
4. I haven’t heard from my professor if we will have class this week. Who can I contact?
If an instructor has not communicated with you that they have canceled class due to the strike, you should attend the class as normal. If you have not heard from your instructor, you may follow up with our Faculty Affairs department at facultyaffairs@csuci.edu.
Additionally, if your class is not held, you can also share any concerns about the cancellation via a link that was shared with you via campus email and posted to Canvas. Through that link you may provide details about the class or other service that was canceled.
5. Will a faculty strike affect my academic progress?
A strike should not affect your ability to complete your courses and earn full academic credit and graduate on time.
6. Will the campus remain open during a strike?
Yes, campus will be open and operational (e.g., library (may have limited services), dining services, student union, advising offices and resource centers). Should there be any changes to hours and services or scheduled events, that information will be communicated via the campus website, Canvas, email, or social media accounts.
Picketing at campuses entrances may cause traffic delays. Please plan extra time to get to campus, especially if you have class or other appointments.
7. Will picketers block access to campus? What if I don’t want to cross the picket line?
Individuals who are picketing may not block or otherwise obstruct the ability of students to access the campus, including classrooms, other facilities and buildings, or campus services.
8. I have classes that are online. Will they be affected?
We strongly encourage you to reach out to your instructors and regularly check your student portal and email for messages from them. Any course may be affected regardless of the mode of instruction.
9. I would like to add a class and need a permission number from the professor. What should I do?
Email the instructor of the class in which you wish to enroll. Students may add classes with permission numbers during the first three (3) weeks of the semester, up until February 9th at 12 Noon. If the instructor does not respond until after January 26th, you will still have time to enroll in the class if provided with a permission number.
10. What about projects I’m working on that are led by faculty?
You should check with you instructor regarding your work schedule on faculty-led research or projects.
11. Will internships, student teaching or other off-campus academic activities be affected?
If you are participating in off-campus activities such as student teaching, internships or service learning, you should continue to report to the sponsoring off-campus agency to continue your assignment as usual.
12. Can faculty require me to walk the picket lines or walk out of a class as part of an assignment or in exchange for a grade?
Faculty should never try to persuade you to support or oppose the strike. Nor can faculty require you to support the strike, walk the picket lines, stay away from campus or walk out of a class as part of a class assignment or in exchange for a grade.
13. I am a student employee. Can I work during a strike?
The strike does not involve student employees. However, strike activity may impact service hours. You should check with your supervisor about any scheduling changes.
14. I am an international student on an F1 Visa. How will a faculty strike affect me?
Missing classes that have been canceled due to strike action will not be considered non-engagement. We will work with international students to minimize any impact.
15. Am I allowed to speak out publicly about a strike without fear of retaliation?
The university fully respects the free speech rights of our students, staff, and faculty. Retaliation from any member of the campus community for one’s opinion or position regarding the labor dispute is inappropriate and unlawful and should be reported immediately to the Vice President for Student Affairs office at vpsa@csuci.edu.
16. What is the best way to stay informed?
We will continue to provide updates via this webpage, so check back periodically. We will also communicate directly with students, faculty, and staff as needed via campus email and social media accounts.
17. How can I learn about the use of campus space, buildings and grounds for public meetings, meetings, performances, rallies, demonstrations, or similar events, by individuals or organizations?
The University’s Policy on Time, Place and Manner and the Use of University Buildings and Grounds addresses these questions. The policy’s “Policy Text,” which begins on page 3 including sections A – E, provides specific information.
General FAQs
18. Why has the California Faculty Association called for a strike?
After months of negotiations, the California State University system has been unable to reach a bargaining agreement on compensation and other issues with the California Faculty Association (CFA), representing professors, lecturers, librarians, counselors and coaches. As part of the collective bargaining process, employee unions have the option to strike should there be no agreement after the conclusion of impasse proceedings.
Although negotiations with CFA were not successful, the CSU is providing CFA-represented employees with a 5% general salary increase effective the start of the February 2024 pay period, which concluded bargaining on the re-opener of the existing contract. CSU and CFA will begin negotiating their full contract later this semester.
19. When will a strike occur?
CFA has called for a week-long strike from Monday, January 22, to Friday, January 26, on every CSU campus in which they are encouraging their membership to withhold work – including canceling classes, not answering emails, and not attending other job functions such as committee work or research -- and join picket lines.
20. Will the campus remain open during a strike?
Yes. Campus will remain open and operational January 22-26 during the strike, including the library (some services may be limited), dining services, student union, advising offices and resource centers. Should there be any changes to hours and services or scheduled events, that information will be communicated to the campus community via our website, email, and/or social media accounts.
Please be aware that CSU campuses, including CSUCI, have not canceled classes during the strike period and do not intend to cancel any classes. However, the decision to strike or not is an individual faculty member’s decision to make and individual classes may be canceled.
21. Will picketers block access to campus? What if I don’t want to cross the picket line?
Individuals who are picketing may not block or otherwise obstruct the ability of students or anyone else to access the campus, including classrooms, other facilities and buildings, or campus services.
It is anticipated that strike activity will occur at the entrances to the campus including the A3 parking lot entrance off University Drive; University Drive & Santa Barbara Street; Camarillo & Santa Barbara Streets; and Potrero Road & Oxnard Street. We understand that picketing at campus entrances may cause traffic delays and students, employees, and others coming onto campus may be late arriving to their campus destination.
22. Am I required to strike if I am a CFA-represented employee?
No. A represented employee is not obligated to strike. The decision is yours to make. Unions are legally prohibited from threatening or coercing members.
23. Are other represented employees allowed to participate in the strike?
Many of our other unions have recently reached agreements with the CSU and have collective bargaining agreements in effect that prohibit them from engaging in sympathy strikes. Non-striking employees may join the picket lines during non-work time.
24. Am I allowed to speak out publicly about the strike without fear of retaliation?
The university fully respects the free speech rights of our students, staff, and faculty. Retaliation from any member of the campus community for one’s personal position regarding the labor dispute is inappropriate and unlawful and should be reported to Angela Portillo at angela.portillo@csuci.edu or 805-437-8423.
25. What is being negotiated?
For information on what offers are currently being negotiated, visit the CSU Labor and Employee Relations webpage.
26. Is the university doing anything to resolve the strike?
Negotiations with CSU unions are done at the system level. CSUCI’s administration does not play a direct role.
The CSU has provided all faculty with a 5% general salary increase at the start of the February 2024 pay period. CSU will begin negotiating a successor contract with CFA later this semester and remains committed to bargaining in good faith and reaching an agreement with CFA as it did with five other CSU unions this fall.
27. How will the university community be updated about potential strike activity?
The university will continue to provide updates via our campus website, campus email and social media accounts.
28. Will any services not be delivered?
We intend to maintain all services with a focus on high priority response needs around health and safety issues.
29. Will any vendors be impacted that could affect campus services?
Deliveries to campus may be impacted due to strike activities, and some vendors or service providers may not respond, but we intend to maintain access for deliveries and our service providers performing safety, and health-related services for the campus are expected to remain in place.
30. How can I learn about the use of campus space, buildings and grounds for public meetings, meetings, performances, rallies, demonstrations, or similar events, by individuals or organizations?
The University’s Policy on Time, Place and Manner and the Use of University Buildings and Grounds addresses these questions. The policy’s “Policy Text,” which begins on page 3 including sections A – E, provides specific information.