Faculty: Strike Information FAQs

In keeping with NLRB guidelines, it is important that faculty who oversee graduate students do not interfere with, coerce, or restrain union activities. Please avoid initiating any discussion of a strike with graduate students. Don't ask students what they think about the union, what other students think, who the union's supporters are, or any other questions about the union's internal affairs. If a student volunteers information, you may listen but do not ask follow-up questions.

Yes. Faculty members are free to continue discussing academics, research, programs of study, classes, and coursework, and a student's academic progress during a strike.

We respect that faculty members will have a range of views on this issue. However, Dartmouth faculty are considered managers (and, concerning graduate students, supervisors) and are not covered by the National Labor Relations Act. Department and program chairs should be especially mindful that they are representatives of the institution's management who, under the law, are prohibited from negotiating directly with students or their representatives on union issues.

A graduate-student strike does not change a faculty member's obligation to perform their duties, including submitting grades or conducting class. 

You are also encouraged to bring any concerns the students raise to your dean or associate dean, who will bring them to Dartmouth's bargaining team.

Graduate students are, first and foremost, Dartmouth students. A strike does not absolve a student from their academic responsibilities. As such, striking students are expected to progress satisfactorily toward their degrees. This includes coming to class, completing academic assignments, taking exams, continuing research toward their dissertation, and meeting the relevant academic milestones in their program's handbook.

No. Graduate students will not be paid if they elect to strike, as they will not perform the duties connected to their stipend. Additionally, if federal grant funding is involved, and graduate students do not fulfill their project responsibilities or meet the regular effort that would be reported, the duties not performed cannot be charged to sponsored funds

Students are expected to continue to make satisfactory academic progress at all times while enrolled. Grades for all courses, including research and teaching courses, should be assigned using same academic metrics and standards as they would under normal circumstances.

No. Graduate students will not be paid if they elect to strike, as they will not perform the duties connected to their stipend. Additionally, if federal grant funding is involved, and graduate students do not fulfill their project responsibilities or meet the regular effort that would be reported, the duties not performed cannot be charged to sponsored funds