UPI endorses Blagojevich as Illinois governor

UPI Endorses Rod Blagojevich for Governor University Professionals of Illinois Local endorsed U.S. Cong. Rod Blagojevich for governor at its Jan. 11 meeting.

UPI, the largest organization of university faculty in Illinois, made the endorsement after studying responses from gubernatorial candidates who responded to UPI questionnaires distributed earlier.

"Cong. Blagojevich's thoughtful responses to our questionnaires earned him the endorsement," Mitch Vogel, UPI Local 4100 president, said. "The Congressman's unflinching support of higher education funding, tenure and bargaining rights for all higher education faculty and staff assured him of our local's support."

UPI Executive Vice President John Murphy said, "We studied his voting record and both as a state representative and as a member of Congress he showed consistent support for our concerns." Murphy also announced UPI's launching of an extensive effort to recruit supporters for the CongressmanÕs campaign on all of the public university campuses.

A Democrat, Blagojevich faces Roland Burris, Paul Vallas and Michael Bakalis in the March 19 primary. Republican candidates include Jim Ryan, Corinne Wood and Patrick OÕMalley.

Questionnaire

UPI: Illinois has diminished its share of higher education funding over the past three decades and relied more and more on student tuition. When total expenditures for public colleges and universities are divided by the total amount of students served, Illinois ranks 47th among the 50 states. Would you support increased appropriations for public higher education in Illinois?

Blagojevich: I strong believe that the state can improve its share of spending on higher education, both for the state university system and the community college system. As Governor, I would address and reverse the neglect that the state has shown towards both its higher education system in general and especially toward the salaries and benefits of its professors.

UPI: Do you support UPIÕs Campaign to Restore Competitive Salaries for Faculty and Staff in Illinois Public Universities? Illinois is now ranked 23rd amongst faculty and staff salary compensation despite the fact that our per-capita income is ranked 7th.

Blagojevich: I strongly support increasing the salaries of the professionals working in the stateÕs university system, in order to make our universities competitive against other statesÕ systems. For too long, Illinois has allowed its most talented professors to be enticed away by better regards for their hard work and dedication. It is time we reverse this trend, not only to retain the talent we have, but to attract the best and brightest from across the country to our universities.

UPI: Our national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers, has published First Principles: A Commonsense Campaign for Opportunity, Quality and Accountability in Higher Education. Would you endorse AFTÕs First Principles agenda?

Blagojevich: I support the AFTÕs principles. I believe that all citizens should have the access to a high quality education at whatever level they may attain, and I will work to make higher education affordable to all in this state who seek it.

UPI: The state of Illinois provides 50% tuition waivers for the undergraduate education of the children of university employees. Would you support the raising of this benefit to 100%, and the inclusion of spouses in that program?

Blagojevich: I support the provision of full tuition assistance for the children and spouses of faculty at IllinoisÕ public universities.

UPI: The concept of tenure has come under public attach in some states. Do you support the continuation of higher educationÕs current system of tenure as protection of academic freedom?

Blagojevich: I agree that the institution of tenure is necessary to protect the academic freedom of our university system, and I support the continuation of tenure.

UPI: Illinois has increased dramatically the number of courses being taught by non-tenure track contingent faculty in recent years. Do you favor restricting these courses to only 25% of the collegeÕs or universityÕs offerings?

Blagojevich: I find it troubling that more and more often, the students at our public universities are being taught by faculty who are part-time adjunct or non-tenure track staff. While there certainly is a place for adjunct and part-time staff in our university system, I will work with UPI, as well as the administration of IllinoisÕ public universities, to study the needs of the university system in order to determine and enact an appropriate ratio of tenure-track versus non-tenure track faculty.

UPI: When non-tenure tract faculty are hired, do you favor paying them at the pro-rata rate of pay for tenure tract faculty, and do you favor extending health and other benefits to these faculty?

Blagojevich: I believe that setting compensation for part-time faculty on a pro rata basis with that of full-time faculty is required by considerations of fairness, and levels the playing field.

UPI: Benefits provided to Illinois public university employees are among the lowest in the nation (we rant 48th amongst the 50 states in terms of benefits as a percentage of salary); would you support additional benefits for the employees of public universities?

Blagojevich: I strongly support improvements in benefits to the faculty of our public university system, and as Governor I would work hard to raise these benefit levels.

UPI: SURS has the only public pension board in Illinois without elected members. Would you support the addition of elected members to the State Universities Retirement System Board?

Blagojevich: The pension fund for IllinoisÕ university system should have the same level of protection as that of other public pension funds, so I strongly support the addition of elected members to the Board.

UPI: Would you support legislation restoring the right to collective b bargaining for the faculty of the University of Illinois at Springfield even if the other two U of I campuses do not have bargaining?

Blagojevich: Yes, I support the restoration of collective bargaining rights to the faculty of U of I Springfield and I would support the collective bargaining rights of university employees throughout IllinoisÕ public university system.

UPI: Would you support legislation to grant bargaining rights to the Graduate Employee Organization at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

Blagojevich: I support the right of graduate students to organize and bargain collectively. I would also actively support legislation in the General Assembly that would grant these rights to graduate students. I would also use the executive power of the Governor to advance the rights of graduate students to organize and collectively bargain in any way which would prove effective, including the appointment of more labor-friendly trustees to state university boards.

UPI: How would you consult with UPI concerning appointments to public university boards?

Blagojevich: The University Professionals of Illinois, as well as other interested labor organizations, would be at the table with me as I make decisions about appointments to the public university boards and the Illinois Education labor Relations Board.