In the most recently negotiated contract changes, a new monetary benefit for faculty was added. The section is Article 29.9 titled Extension Teaching Compensation. It reads as follows:
29.9. Extension Teaching Compensation
a. In addition to salary for teaching a course, employees shall receive a stipend for commuting to teach at sites distant from their campus site. For each trip taken to fulfill the instructional requirements of the class, the travel stipend will be set at 25 cents per every mile of travel distance, to and from the teaching sites, per semester. The point of origin for determining distance will be the faculty member's assigned home campus.
b. Travel reimbursement will also be paid, at regular and established rates according to university regulations, to faculty teaching off-campus for meals, pre-approved use of personal car or commercial transportation, and other legitimate and pre-approved travel expenses.
Notice that it gives a stipend for traveling “in addition to salary” and in addition to traditional travel expense reimbursement for meals, motels and personal car expense. If you believe you are entitled to the stipend, request it from your immediate supervisor. If you are denied, you may want to file a grievance. The grievance must be filed within 40 calendar days of the denial of your request. Contact Gayle Carper, Chapter Grievance Officer at 298-1339 or GT-Carper@wiu.edu to discuss a possible grievance. You may also want to discuss the matter with your department UPI representative or any member of the UPI Chapter Executive Board, whose names and contact information can be found at http://www.wiu.edu/UPI.