AAUP Response to University's Decision to Terminate an Adjunct Faculty Member
September 17, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
As you know, the University fired an adjunct faculty member today. Their crime? In President Loyack's words, their "behavior did not reflect our expectations for respectful and civil engagement" and "several individuals at Rider received a threat directed at our campus as a result of this individual’s actions."
What did this faculty member do? They posted on their personal Facebook page expressing their viewpoint on a matter of public concern. That posting led an individual (or some individuals) to make threats against them and against Rider. And what did Rider do? Did it protect the faculty member’s right to participate in a public forum? Did it stand up for the faculty member’s Academic Freedom? NO! Instead, it blamed the faculty member for becoming a target of violent threats and fired them.
This is clearly in violation of the University's obligation under our Agreement. Under Article IV Academic Freedom, the University agreed that it would "not threaten, coerce, or discipline members of the bargaining unit because of what they say or what they do as private citizens." There is no requirement that one's speech as a private citizen meet someone else's notion of "respectful and civil engagement" or that one's speech not lead to violent threats from irresponsible third parties.
We should all be outraged by the University's actions in this case. If they can fire an adjunct for what they say as a private citizen, they can fire any of us for what we say.
The AAUP will take all actions within its power to right this wrong.
The Rider AAUP Executive Committee
September 17, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
As you know, the University fired an adjunct faculty member today. Their crime? In President Loyack's words, their "behavior did not reflect our expectations for respectful and civil engagement" and "several individuals at Rider received a threat directed at our campus as a result of this individual’s actions."
What did this faculty member do? They posted on their personal Facebook page expressing their viewpoint on a matter of public concern. That posting led an individual (or some individuals) to make threats against them and against Rider. And what did Rider do? Did it protect the faculty member’s right to participate in a public forum? Did it stand up for the faculty member’s Academic Freedom? NO! Instead, it blamed the faculty member for becoming a target of violent threats and fired them.
This is clearly in violation of the University's obligation under our Agreement. Under Article IV Academic Freedom, the University agreed that it would "not threaten, coerce, or discipline members of the bargaining unit because of what they say or what they do as private citizens." There is no requirement that one's speech as a private citizen meet someone else's notion of "respectful and civil engagement" or that one's speech not lead to violent threats from irresponsible third parties.
We should all be outraged by the University's actions in this case. If they can fire an adjunct for what they say as a private citizen, they can fire any of us for what we say.
The AAUP will take all actions within its power to right this wrong.
The Rider AAUP Executive Committee
The AFT's Lawsuit to Halt the Stop of DEI Initiatives
February 27, 2025
The American Federation of Teachers and others have filed suit to stop the Trump's administration's efforts to remove DEI initiatives with its "Dear Colleagues" announcement. Here are the various court documents so far.
The AFTs Lawsuit
National Association of Diversity Officers v Trump: Memorandum Opinion
National Association of Diversity Officers v Trump: Preliminary Injunction
February 27, 2025
The American Federation of Teachers and others have filed suit to stop the Trump's administration's efforts to remove DEI initiatives with its "Dear Colleagues" announcement. Here are the various court documents so far.
The AFTs Lawsuit
National Association of Diversity Officers v Trump: Memorandum Opinion
National Association of Diversity Officers v Trump: Preliminary Injunction
The University's Audited Financial Statements are Now Available
January 31, 2025
The University's audited financial statements are available. You can find them in the menu above. Click in "AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" and a drop down menu will appear.
January 31, 2025
The University's audited financial statements are available. You can find them in the menu above. Click in "AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" and a drop down menu will appear.
Settlement of Prescription Drug Grievance Arbitration
August 6, 2024
As you know, we filed a grievance back in February 2023 over changes in our prescription insurance plan introduced by the administration in violation of the contract. Those changes involved being forced to utilize a different drug than a brand drug your health care provider believed was appropriate.
This alternate could have been a generic version of the drug prescribed or a completely different drug. You would have noticed this when you went to fill the prescription and your pharmacist told you that the prescription was not covered and you would have to pay full price or switch to a different drug or a generic form of the prescribed drug. You might have been informed by Aetna that you could only get the prescribed drug covered by our insurance if you could prove it was a medical necessity or you tried the alternative/s and they failed.
After many delays we were finally scheduled for arbitration on Monday August 5th. On Thursday, August, 1st we were able to reach a settlement with the University on terms that guarantee that if your heath care provider believes that the brand drug is the appropriate drug, you will receive that drug.
If after January 1st 2023 you were denied coverage for a prescribed brand drug and you covered the cost of the brand drug let us know so we can arrange for you to be reimbursed for all of your out of pocket expenses.
If this happens to you in the future request your health care provider give you a note indicating that the prescription should be dispensed as written and provide that to Human Resources and the drug will be authorized for coverage.
You can read the agreement here.
August 6, 2024
As you know, we filed a grievance back in February 2023 over changes in our prescription insurance plan introduced by the administration in violation of the contract. Those changes involved being forced to utilize a different drug than a brand drug your health care provider believed was appropriate.
This alternate could have been a generic version of the drug prescribed or a completely different drug. You would have noticed this when you went to fill the prescription and your pharmacist told you that the prescription was not covered and you would have to pay full price or switch to a different drug or a generic form of the prescribed drug. You might have been informed by Aetna that you could only get the prescribed drug covered by our insurance if you could prove it was a medical necessity or you tried the alternative/s and they failed.
After many delays we were finally scheduled for arbitration on Monday August 5th. On Thursday, August, 1st we were able to reach a settlement with the University on terms that guarantee that if your heath care provider believes that the brand drug is the appropriate drug, you will receive that drug.
If after January 1st 2023 you were denied coverage for a prescribed brand drug and you covered the cost of the brand drug let us know so we can arrange for you to be reimbursed for all of your out of pocket expenses.
If this happens to you in the future request your health care provider give you a note indicating that the prescription should be dispensed as written and provide that to Human Resources and the drug will be authorized for coverage.
You can read the agreement here.
Ruling on Program Elimination Arbitration
July 29, 2024
While we had hoped to be able to share better news about the program elimination arbitration, the arbitrator has ruled against the union’s position, meaning that the programs eliminated or archived by the administration in June 2022 will remain eliminated or archived. You can read the full award decision here. As the executive committee has time to further analyze the decision, we will have more to say on this decision.
July 29, 2024
While we had hoped to be able to share better news about the program elimination arbitration, the arbitrator has ruled against the union’s position, meaning that the programs eliminated or archived by the administration in June 2022 will remain eliminated or archived. You can read the full award decision here. As the executive committee has time to further analyze the decision, we will have more to say on this decision.
The 24-25 Meeting Calendar is Posted
June 12, 2024
We have posted the APC and AAUP meeting dates here.
June 12, 2024
We have posted the APC and AAUP meeting dates here.
The New Contract is Available
February 19, 2024
We have posted the the summary and copy of the current contract.
February 19, 2024
We have posted the the summary and copy of the current contract.
New APC Training Documents Are Posted
September 11, 2023
You can view the APC training documents here.
September 11, 2023
You can view the APC training documents here.
Academic Freedom Webinar
November 19, 2022
To learn about the basics of academic freedom, the AAUP has created a video and PowerPoint on these issues.
November 19, 2022
To learn about the basics of academic freedom, the AAUP has created a video and PowerPoint on these issues.
STRIKE FAQ
Negotiation Updates
All our negotiation updates are can be found here. We will update members through email & Raftr on immediate developments.
All our negotiation updates are can be found here. We will update members through email & Raftr on immediate developments.
AAUP'S Response to Administration's Propoganda
June 24, 2022
The university's statement on a 'critical need for change' contains a number of statements which are simply not true. Click here for details.
June 24, 2022
The university's statement on a 'critical need for change' contains a number of statements which are simply not true. Click here for details.
AAUP & Administration Exchange Proposals
May 20, 2022
The Rider Chapter of the AAUP and Rider's Administration have formally exchanged proposals for the upcoming labor negotiations. You can see the proposals here.
May 20, 2022
The Rider Chapter of the AAUP and Rider's Administration have formally exchanged proposals for the upcoming labor negotiations. You can see the proposals here.
No Confidence Resolution
February 2, 2022
You can find a copy of the A Resolution of the AAUP represented faculty and staff of Rider University here.
February 2, 2022
You can find a copy of the A Resolution of the AAUP represented faculty and staff of Rider University here.
Dr. Sanjay G. Reddy Presentation
November 28, 2021
At the November 2021 chapter meeting, Dr. Reddy (from The New School for Social Research) presented, "Is there no Alternative to the Logic of the Corporate University?" If you were unable to attend or would like to see it again, you can watch it here.
November 28, 2021
At the November 2021 chapter meeting, Dr. Reddy (from The New School for Social Research) presented, "Is there no Alternative to the Logic of the Corporate University?" If you were unable to attend or would like to see it again, you can watch it here.
Executive Committee Recommendations Concerning Credo Consulting
October 1, 2021
The Rider Executive Committee has offered a number of recommendations about working with CREDO. You can read the entire document and recommendations here.
October 1, 2021
The Rider Executive Committee has offered a number of recommendations about working with CREDO. You can read the entire document and recommendations here.
A Bargaining Unit Member's Guide to Credo, Part 2
September 28, 2021
Please see the Bargaining Unit Member's Guide to Credo, Part 2. This is the second of a series of documents put together by the AAUP Executive Committee in order to provide you with a clear and comprehensive understanding of the workings of the consulting agency Part 2 will provide you with an institutional survey outlining the consulting agency's targets & goals, and outcomes.
September 28, 2021
Please see the Bargaining Unit Member's Guide to Credo, Part 2. This is the second of a series of documents put together by the AAUP Executive Committee in order to provide you with a clear and comprehensive understanding of the workings of the consulting agency Part 2 will provide you with an institutional survey outlining the consulting agency's targets & goals, and outcomes.
The Problems of Prioritization
September 23, 2021
President Dell'Omo has once again decided to hire consultants. This time it is CREDO who will be using a prioritization process to rank the programs at Rider into five categories. Programs ranked in the bottom two quintiles can be eliminated or reconfigured.
You can read about one professor's critique of the process here.
September 23, 2021
President Dell'Omo has once again decided to hire consultants. This time it is CREDO who will be using a prioritization process to rank the programs at Rider into five categories. Programs ranked in the bottom two quintiles can be eliminated or reconfigured.
You can read about one professor's critique of the process here.
A Bargaining Unit Member's Guide to Credo, Part 1
September 20, 2021
Please see the Bargaining Unit Member's Guide to Credo, Part 1. This is the first of a series of documents put together by the AAUP Executive Committee in order to provide you with a clear and comprehensive understanding of the workings of the consulting agency Credo. Part 1 covers Credo's team and ideology; Part 2 will provide you with an institutional survey outlining the consulting agency's targets & goals, and outcomes; part 3 will summarize the Executive Committee's recommendations regarding faculty members' responses to Credo.
September 20, 2021
Please see the Bargaining Unit Member's Guide to Credo, Part 1. This is the first of a series of documents put together by the AAUP Executive Committee in order to provide you with a clear and comprehensive understanding of the workings of the consulting agency Credo. Part 1 covers Credo's team and ideology; Part 2 will provide you with an institutional survey outlining the consulting agency's targets & goals, and outcomes; part 3 will summarize the Executive Committee's recommendations regarding faculty members' responses to Credo.
Rider AAUP Chapter Statement on Racial Injustice
6/12/2020
Together we have arrived at a moment.
It is a moment when the systemic racism and white privilege that have plagued our country from the start must end.
It is a moment that requires long-overdue actions....
Click here to read the rest of the statement.
6/12/2020
Together we have arrived at a moment.
It is a moment when the systemic racism and white privilege that have plagued our country from the start must end.
It is a moment that requires long-overdue actions....
Click here to read the rest of the statement.
Deja Vu Dell'Omo
2/8/19
In a meeting with members of the Rider AAUP executive committee, President Dell’Omo accused Rider’s faculty of ‘hiding in their classrooms’ while he does the hard work of 'saving the institution' from financial ruin.
He is wrong on both accounts... Click "Deja Vu Dell'Omo" to read more
2/8/19
In a meeting with members of the Rider AAUP executive committee, President Dell’Omo accused Rider’s faculty of ‘hiding in their classrooms’ while he does the hard work of 'saving the institution' from financial ruin.
He is wrong on both accounts... Click "Deja Vu Dell'Omo" to read more
