Morehouse’s Faculty Ends Planned Walkout

The staff at Morehouse votes to not walk out and gain benefits back.

Eight days after a mass email was sent out to students explaining how the faculty and staff of Morehouse were going to start taking furlough days because of financial reasons, President David Thomas of Morehouse College sent out his own email Oct. 28. In the letter sent by Dr. Thomas, it explains faculty and staff taking a furlough day has been discontinued and to temporarily discontinue the College’s 403(b) plan, which means the faculty who are close to retirement will not lose out on any money for the moment as it is temporarily.

The faculty planning the walkout affected President Thomas’ decision to stop the furlough days and retirement plan from continuing. Thomas’ plan will start on Nov. 1. The reaction to the plan is positive for faculty as they voted to stop the walkout in conjunction with Morehouse to stop taking benefits away from their employees. Dr. Adria Welcher, a sociology professor at Morehouse, believes in what President Thomas is doing is right for the college.

“I can speak to my own personal response and a few conversations I’ve had with other faculty,” Dr. Welcher sad. “I was very pleased with the email and with the consideration of what faculty had been exercising. I felt heard and I felt included.”

The walkout plan worked for the faculty and in return, they maintain the benefits that were due for them. But on a bigger scale, the Men of Morehouse do not have to suffer by losing their professors. The professors are the people that most students come in contact with daily, not the deans nor President Thomas.

Yes, the plan giving faculty and staff their benefits back is great for Morehouse College, but there is still a problem, other than finances. Communication is that problem. Like before, the email that was sent out to students by Morehouse’s hierarchy did not notify the staff first. Instead, some professors had to find out by students that these problems and solutions were occurring.

“I would appreciate a heads up,” Dr. Welcher said. “I may not be prepared to respond to students.”

Communication is key. Notifying the professors would be the ideal thing to do so they can be prepared to answer any concerns or questions that students may have with the email. Other than that, the overall feeling for Morehouse looks to be in better shape than it was a week ago. President Thomas wants to progress as a college and not have problems with professors.

“A planned walkout would have done irreparable harm to the College,” President Thomas wrote in the email. “At a time when we are gaining positive momentum to place ourselves on an accelerated upward trajectory.”

Morehouse’s money troubles may have not gone away, but their faculty not planning a walkout anymore is a win for the school.

Shakim Muhafiz is a sophomore English major journalism minor at Morehouse College.