Full-Time Non-Tenure Track Negotiations 2026

Welcome to the Full-Time Non-Tenure Track Negotiations 2026 web page. Here you will find all the important information regarding ongoing negotiations between the Kent State United Faculty Association (KSUFA) and Kent State University. Below you will find links to all communications sent by KSUFA to the bargaining unit members and the status of each Collective Bargaining Agreement article that has been opened by either or both parties.

Read more: Full-Time Non-Tenure Track Negotiations 2026

Surviving SB 1

With the enactment of Senate Bill 1, Kent State faculty face new challenges in teaching in ways that reflect the university's mission and values. Faculty should review both the law itself and guidance from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, as well as Kent State's SB 1 Compliance website, which provides information about the university's implementation efforts.

KSUFA is committed to helping faculty navigate these changes and ensuring that all faculty are supported, heard, and advocated for.

Key Points

• Course content remains legal. Nothing you taught before SB 1 took effect has become illegal to teach. However, topics that may be considered "controversial beliefs of policies" under the law may present new challenges in the classroommm.
• KSUFA supports academic freedom. We will defend faculty academic freedom and continue urging the university to do the same.
• KSUFA remains committed to DEI. As an independent organization, KSUFA's advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion is not restricted by SB 1. We will continue to support minoritized faculty and those teaching in areas affected by the legislation.

KSUFA has prepared additional guidance and resources on specific aspects of SB 1 in the links below. While this information is not legal advice it is intended to help faculty understand and navigate the law's implications. We will continue to update these resources as guidance evolves and new strategies emerge.

Promoting Intellectual Diversity While Preserving Academic Freedom

Know Your Rights! Academic Freedom

What to do if a student threatens to file a formal complaint or sue

Know Your Rights! Formal Complaint Procedures That Can Protect Faculty

Procedures for SB 1 Investigations and Hearings

KSUFA's Diversity Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Advocacy

If you are interested in working with us to develop new strategies or have suggestions for how to revise any of our current materials, please contact KSUFA (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 330-673-9118).

KSUFA Welcome Message

The Kent State United Faculty Association (KSUFA) serves as the collective bargaining agent for all full-time faculty at Kent State University. First established in 1975, KSUFA is one of the oldest faculty unions in Ohio and pre-dates the law providing collective bargaining rights to full-time faculty at Ohio’s public institutions of higher education.

KSUFA is responsible for negotiating the terms and conditions of employment for all full-time faculty at KSU’s eight campuses. KSUFA has two bargaining units: the FTNTT unit that represents the Full-Time Non-Tenure Track faculty and the TT unit that represents the Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty. Each bargaining unit independently negotiates its own, unique Collective Bargaining Agreement every three years. Each of these agreements encompasses a wide array of salary and benefit provisions, grievance and appeal procedures, and outlines the fundamental principles for shared governance at Kent State University at the department, school, college, and campus levels.

In addition to serving as your union, KSUFA is committed to promoting positive academic values and shared governance, as well as protecting faculty against attacks on tenure and academic freedom. The Collective Bargaining Agreements of both bargaining units incorporate AAUP's 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure and 1966 Statement on Professional Ethics.

While you are not required to be a member of KSUFA to share in the benefits of collective bargaining, we hope that you will consider that option. Members provide ideas, leadership and financial support to the organization. Membership also entitles you to an active voice in determining the issues and priorities established for negotiations and to voting rights with regard to contract issues. Membership forms may be downloaded directly from the site.

We are pleased to continue our tradition of service to faculty, and we hope to hear from you with your comments, concerns and suggestions for the future of the Association. Feel free to contact us – we look forward to hearing from you soon!