The American Association of University Professors Kent State University Chapter tentatively agreed today on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the university.

The agreement is retroactive, covering a three-year period from Sept. 16, 2004 to Sept. 15, 2007, AAUP President Cheryl Casper said.

The agreement calls for a retroactive salary increase for faculty of 2 percent, followed by an increase of 3 percent over the next two years, Casper said.

The agreement also changes the faculty’s medical benefits plan by significantly increasing the faculty’s share of health care costs, she said.

The tentative agreement should go to the AAUP-KSU Council for approval in the next two or three weeks, Casper said. If the council approves the agreement, it will then be voted on by AAUP’s entire membership, Casper said.

The agreement must also be ratified by the University Board of Trustees, said Ron Kirksey, executive director of university communications.

Kirksey said the university was “very positive” about the agreement.

Casper declined to give her opinion on the contract, but she said “reaching the agreement is a positive step in the right direction.”

“As president of AAUP, I’m guided by the council and the membership, but I think this a good day,” she said.

The tentative agreement should be available on AAUP’s Web site dept.kent.edu/aaup within the next few days, Casper said.

Contact on-campus reporter Amanda Garrett at [email protected].