Professors, coaches and faculty have been working without a contract for more than 450 days.

The union that represents about 5,500 faculty and coaches from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is called APSCUF, the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties.

APSCUF has been at the negotiation table with PASSHE every chance they have gotten, and even 5 times in the past week. PASSHE officials will not make a contract that everyone can agree on.

Here are some of the proposals from PASSHE that APSCUF is opposed to:

Increasing the number of temporary faculty which leads to reductions in permanent faculty who are devoted to their students.

Allowing students to be taught by new graduate students — new college graduates — instead of faculty with advanced degrees.

Cutting funding for faculty scholarship and professional development that allows faculty to bring current knowledge to students.

Giving university presidents unilateral authority to transfer faculty members to other departments

If negotiations cannot be met by Oct. 19, the professors, coaches and faculty will strike.

What does this mean for students?

No physical or online classes will meet. Professors cannot communicate with us at all. Dining halls may not remain open. The semester could be extended when the strike concludes.

There are two kinds of people during this time. Those who are informed on what is happening and are worried, as they should be, and there are those who are excited because that means we get a day off.

This is not just a day off. This can affect graduations, credits and finances. This problem is a lot bigger than people working without a contract. This strike represents our country’s emphasis on the importance of education. State schools have received significantly less amount of funding every year. The importance that our country puts on education is very minimal. Educating people creates new technology, business and more that grows our economy, not to mention that fact that well-educated people can solve social issues happening around us as well.

Education is important, and this strike shows that our state is not making it a priority.

What can you do?

Educating yourself and keeping up to date is the most important thing you can do. Do some research for yourself. You can follow APSCUF and PASSHE on social media to get the most recent updates. APSCUF’s website is also very helpful.

Sign the petition for PASSHE to be serious and create a fair contract.

Write letters to legislators, administrators and the chancellor (chancellor@passhe.edu) to tell them of the importance of fair funding within your school.

Another thing you can do is educate others. A lot of people are very confused right now. They don’t understand what is going on. You can educate them on the severity of the situation and urge them to write letters and sign the petition too.

The administrators of APSCUF have been negotiating for a while, but now it’s our turn. We can make a difference. Let’s use our voice to advocate for change.