Faculty Strike at University of San Diego Over Course Cuts

San Diego – Nearly 200 faculty members from the University of San Diego (USD) are set to strike from 7 a.m. Wednesday until 9 p.m. Thursday. This action, organized by members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721, comes in response to recent mass course cancellations and what faculty members describe as unfair labor practices by the university.

The strike primarily involves faculty from USD’s College of Arts and Sciences, who are protesting against the university’s decision to cut courses for the current spring semester without prior negotiations. Faculty member Soroya Rowley characterized the cuts as a significant disappointment, describing them as feeling like “a slap in the face.”

The controversy surrounding the course cancellations led to the filing of an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in April 2025. Faculty members fear that additional course cuts may be on the horizon for the upcoming fall semester, with a recent union review indicating that approximately 25% of non-tenure track faculty members who taught in fall 2024 are no longer scheduled to teach in fall 2025.

Rowley expressed concerns that the course cuts are perceived as punitive measures in response to the faculty’s decision to form a union last year. Despite these developments, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Noelle Norton acknowledged the striking faculty in a communication to staff and faculty, referring to the current situation as “difficult times” for higher education. Norton expressed a hope that faculty would continue teaching, despite the strike.

In a public statement, the university expressed disappointment with the timing of the strike, which coincides with final exams for students. USD emphasized its commitment to supporting students in completing their coursework and maintaining their academic standing during this period.

According to the university, they have been negotiating in good faith and are working toward a mutually beneficial agreement. However, they cautioned that some demands from the union could lead to a significant increase in undergraduate tuition, complicating the negotiations further.

The union has instructed participating faculty to refrain from all academic responsibilities during the strike, which includes not holding classes, office hours, meetings, or even grading. In addition to the strike, a rally is planned for noon on Thursday, where faculty, students, alumni, and community supporters will march to the President’s Office to voice their concerns and solidarity.

Despite the strike, the university has announced that campus operations will continue, with class instruction still proceeding for faculty members who are not participating in the strike. The situation remains fluid as both the university and faculty look to address the underlying issues contributing to the strike.

This protest highlights a growing concern regarding labor practices and the management of faculty resources within higher education. As discussions continue, the university community, along with the larger San Diego community, will be closely watching the developments in this situation.