On May 26, the University of Maine System (UMS) announced a new two-year, System-wide enterprise contract with OpenAI to provide ChatGPT Edu starting July 1. While management frames this as a “historic infrastructure investment,” it is incredibly difficult to reconcile a sudden $1.39 million software contract with the harsh fiscal realities our members are facing daily. Across our campuses, professional staff are enduring frozen positions, operating budget slashes, layoffs, and involuntary reductions in work schedules. To see the System prioritize software contracts while cutting the hours and jobs of the human beings who keep these universities running sends a deeply troubling message about UMS fiscal priorities.
Furthermore, we must address the calculated timing of this announcement. Dropping a major, controversial contract news item immediately after the spring semester concluded—when campuses are quietest—is a transparent strategy designed to minimize community scrutiny and head off immediate collective backlash from staff, faculty, and students. Strategic rollouts should be built on honest, face-to-face engagement with the campus community, not timed to exploit the quietest weeks of the academic calendar.
Because UMPSA members work across virtually every operational, technical, research, and administrative department in the System, a massive AI implementation directly impacts us. Therefore, the UMPSA Executive Board voted and has issued a formal response to Vice Chancellor Ryan Low, demanding an urgent meeting and full transparency. Our position is absolute: any onboarding or training must happen strictly within standard, compensated working hours, and choosing not to integrate AI into your workflows must not result in negative performance evaluations, disparate treatment, or workplace pressure. Additionally, we harbor serious concerns regarding how this contract will be funded in the future
Unions exist to demand accountability and protect workers when institutional priorities go astray. If you are experiencing workload issues, schedule compressions, or immediate pressure regarding AI implementations in your department, please reach out to your UMPSA campus/grievance representative.
In solidarity,
Sara
Sara Abronze, UMPSA Statewide President