Temple board approves faculty contract

Temple board approves faculty contract

The Temple University board of trustees approved a two-year extension of the university's contract with the 1,350-member faculty union Tuesday.

The agreement, approved Monday by members of the Temple Association of University Professionals, calls for a salary freeze in the first year and a 4 percent increase in salaries the following year. Union president Art Hochner said members were pleased to reach an accord five months ahead of the contract's October expiration date.

"I think this is a great thing," Hochner said. "It's good that we were able to cooperate in a very tough time." In a statement, university president Ann Weaver Hart said the agreement "ensures that our joint focus will be on the quality of education of our students." — Vernon Clark