September 3, 2024

OU reaches historic tentative agreement with faculty union

After several months of bargaining, OU and its faculty union (OU-AAUP) tonight accepted the state mediator’s recommendations to resolve the few but critical issues remaining and reached a tentative contract agreement. 

Both parties agreed to recommend contract ratification in the coming weeks. The resolution provides for a historic compensation package over the next five years that rewards faculty while keeping the university on a fiscally sustainable path.

The agreement includes:

• Year 1: 4% merit pool increase, plus one-time lump sum payments of $1,500 for full-time faculty and $500 for special lecturers
• Year 2: 3% merit pool increase, plus $500,000 allocated for market adjustments
• Year 3: 3% merit pool increase, plus $500,000 allocated for market adjustments
• Year 4: 3% merit pool increase
• Year 5: 3% merit pool increase

The agreement also includes increases for promotional raises and funds for faculty travel and research. It also doubles the retirement stipend for special lecturers. 

“Our faculty members’ contributions are critical to our mission and achieving our strategic goals,” President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz said. “This generous package demonstrates our commitment to their continued success.”