U. of Florida Faculty Union Overwhelmingly Approves New Contract

By a vote of 491 to 4, the University of Florida’s faculty union has overwhelmingly approved a contract agreement that was reached last month after years of debate, The Gainesville Sun reports. According to a union document, the deal makes major changes in the collective-bargaining agreement, “returning much authority and control to departments and colleges.” Among other provisions, it establishes new procedures and time lines “to ensure more fairness” in the tenure and promotion process, adds new job-security protections for tenure-track and permanent-status faculty members, provides more opportunities for sabbaticals, and extends guarantees regarding other types of leave.