Rochester Hills (CBS Detroit) Oakland University students in Rochester Hills are preparing for classes on Wednesday, but it's unclear if they'll have professors.
After nearly three months of negotiations, the university and faculty union have not reached a compromise.
Both sides hope Tuesday is the last day of discussions between the faculty union and Oakland University, but if they can't agree, instructors will likely strike on the first day of courses.
Most major difficulties, including academic travel, research funds, and promotion raises, have been resolved. However, basic pay negotiations continue.
The university's latest offer increases full-time professors and part-time special lecturers' base pay by 16% as part of a 21% five-year compensation hike.
A faculty spokeswoman said they want a 20% base wage rise for that time. He claims their overall pay increases are lower than the university's 30% claim on Sunday.
"We of course want our salaries, our compensation, to keep up with inflation, which, as we all know, has been significant," says Oakland sociology associate professor George Sanders.
The union claims Oakland faculty earns 25% less than the national average.