By Drew Adams
Murray, KY – Tenure and tenure track faculty at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are on strike this morning. Faculty Association officials say the administration rejected each of their proposals and offered no new ones during contract talks Wednesday. Faculty Association spokesman Dave Johnson says the administration hasn't shown an interest in real bargaining. SIU Chancellor Rita Cheng says classes will go on as scheduled and hopes contract negotiations will continue. The faculty association says it's focused on academic freedom and tenure issues, as well as the autonomy of faculty members to teach the courses the way they deem appropriate. Meanwhile three other unions have reached tentative deals with SIU. Union leaders say those proposals, which have yet to be voted on, resolve many issues involving job security and other concerns. Details of the agreements have not been released.