Faculty Association
What is the purpose of the Faculty Associaton?
The Faculty Association (FA) represents faculty members in all matters related to the terms and conditions of employment. See the FA Bylaws for more information.
Currently, the FA President serves on the President’s Cabinet and holds monthly meetings with the Provost’s office alongside the Senate President. Additionally, the FA Executive Committee meets with the President on a monthly basis and with the Provost’s Office as needed, typically 2-3 times per semester and over the summer.
These engagements allow the FA to effectively communicate faculty interests and concerns to the administration. To further gather faculty input, the FA conducts at least two open meetings each semester exclusively for core faculty, providing a confidential space for them to express their ideas and concerns. Please note that minutes are not taken during these meetings to maintain confidentiality.
The FA also advocates for salary increases for all full-time faculty members, including both dues-paying and non-dues-paying members. Currently, our focus is on addressing issues related to salary compression.
FA Leadership 2025-2026
- Rossi Hassad (SSBS)
President - Mi-Hyun Chung (SoE)
Vice-President - Susan Gaskin-Noel (Libraries)
Secretary - Patricia Sutton (SoN)
Treasurer
Saliha Bava (SSBS)
- Sean Dugan (SLA)
- Jennifer Fernandes (SHNS)
- Miriam Ford (SoN)
Ruth Hansen (SHNS)
- Amanda Gunning (Senate Pres. ex-officio)
- Brent Saindon (SLA)
- Denise Stefano (SBus)
- Helge Wasmuth (SoE)
- Zachary Williams (SBus)
What are the FA dues used for?
Every core faculty member is entitled to one hour of legal consultation, which can be conducted with either the FA lawyer or a lawyer of their choice. Dues-paying members, however, are eligible for up to six hours of legal consultation. In the 2023/24 period, the FA covered significant expenses for legal consultation. Membership dues also contribute to the payment of AAUP membership fees and support attendance for dues-paying members at local AAUP conferences. Additionally, the FA covers general legal consultation services, advertisement in the gala brochure, and one seat at the gala event.
What protections does the FA provide?
We offer legal services and consultations to all individuals. Our involvement extends to serving on various University-wide task forces, including the Policy Council. The FA President chairs the Handbook Committee, and we provide guidance to faculty throughout the grievance process. Additionally, we advocate on behalf of faculty concerns, ensuring that these issues are addressed without requiring faculty members to do so directly.
Amercian Association of University Professors (AAUP)
Mercy University is a member of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Below are some links to it's website and selected resources:
