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0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff8caf0000An Examination Of Higher Education In The Granite StateThis special series presented by NHPR takes a look at the uncertain future of New Hampshire's colleges, and how they are working to stay relevant, competitive, and worth the cost.Series stories and topics will air on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, The Exchange and Word of Mouth, and you can find all of the content and special web-only features right here.________Series made possible with support from EDvestinU & The Derryfield School.0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff8caf0001

Part-Time Faculty Form Union At Northeastern University

Part-time faculty gathered at a bar in Boston's North End to celebrate their union victory.
Kirk Carapezza
/
WGBH News
Part-time faculty gathered at a bar in Boston's North End to celebrate their union victory.
Part-time faculty gathered at a bar in Boston's North End to celebrate their union victory.
Credit Kirk Carapezza / WGBH News
/
WGBH News
Part-time faculty gathered at a bar in Boston's North End to celebrate their union victory.

In a striking move, part-time faculty at Northeastern University voted to unionize Thursday, making it the third Boston-area college in the past seven months to do so. Kirk Carapezza and Mallory Noe-Payne report at our On Campus blog.

A day after the Bruins' season ended, part-time professors at Northeastern streamed across Causeway Street in the shadow of the Boston Garden to celebrate their victory. On this muggy day, they sat together at the end of the bar. They toasted each other and swapped stories after a long, cold winter of campaigning.

Bill Shimer is a part-time business professor who helped lead the campaign. As he tipped back a beer, he couldn't stop smiling.

"It feels wonderful," Shimer said. "It feels like a great advance for Northeastern, for adjuncts, for students for parents because we hope to raise standards at our university and make it a better place for everybody."

Copyright 2014 GBH

Kirk is a reporter for the NPR member station in Boston, WGBH, where he covers higher education, connecting the dots between post-secondary education and the economy, national security, jobs and global competitiveness. Kirk has been a reporter with Wisconsin Public Radio in Madison, Wis.; a writer and producer at WBUR in Boston; a teacher and coach at Nativity Preparatory School in New Bedford, Mass.; a Fenway Park tour guide; and a tourist abroad. Kirk received his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and earned his M.S. from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. When he's not reporting or editing stories on campus, you can find him posting K's on the Wall at Fenway. You can follow Kirk on Twitter @KirkCarapezza.
Kirk Carapezza
Kirk is a reporter for the NPR member station in Boston, WGBH, where he covers higher education, taking the time to capture the distinct voices of students and faculty, administrators and thought leaders.
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