Chatham Student Government’s (CSG) Executive Board issued a statement on Feb. 19 expressing their disagreement with the University’s decision to not voluntarily acknowledge the faculty’s unionizing effort. 

“As we have made clear to President [Rhonda] Phillips, it is the position of CSG that faculty unionization is in the interest of the student body, promotes shared governance and cooperation at the university, and supports the entire Chatham community,” the Executive Board said in a press release. “We will continue to provide our full and unequivocal backing to Chatham Faculty United throughout this process.”

The statement follows the University’s recent decision to not voluntarily recognize Chatham Faculty United and instead electing to seek a hearing from the National Labor Relations Board on the faculty’s request for a collective bargaining unit.

Chatham Student Government has previously expressed their full support of Chatham Faculty United on Jan. 25 during a Senate meeting where CSG invited representatives of Chatham Faculty United to present on the unionization efforts and how it could benefit students and faculty. Following the presentation, CSG passed CSG.Resolution-SP2024-01 demonstrating their support of Chatham Faculty United and urges the University to recognize the union. 

Despite its disapproval, the Executive Board still looks to continue a collaborative relationship with President Phillips and the administration in the future.  

“We thank President Phillips for her transparency to the student body on this matter, and we look forward to working with her on her commitment to improving shared governance—especially in implementing true student input and decision-making power at Chatham.”