A seven-member Temple negotiating team has been in contract discussions with the Temple Association of University Professionals (TAUP) since June. The collective bargaining unit represents full-time faculty members, librarians and academic professionals at 11 of Temple's 17 schools and colleges.

The two sides have been meeting twice weekly with the goal of reaching an agreement by Oct. 15.

Prominent among the team are Deputy Provost Richard Englert, School of Communications and Theater Dean Concetta Stewart and Senior Vice Provost Diane Maleson. While all seven members of the team are regularly involved in the negotiations, the three have had an important role in discussions so far.

"We've enjoyed being actively engaged in the negotiations and working closely with TAUP," said Englert, Temple's deputy provost.

"It’s been clear to us that the meetings have been positive, professional and respectful throughout,” Englert added.

Stewart said she has been impressed with the many hours of work she and her colleagues have put in away from the bargaining table.

“Dick, Diane and I have gotten together on several occasions to examine and discuss the Union’s proposals in detail,” said Stewart. “We have tried to address each issue with an eye to what’s best for Temple and believe that we have made substantial progress on important issues such as work/life balance for faculty members.”

Maleson noted the negotiating team members have not been shy about being active participants.

“We have taken this process very seriously, and that means giving consideration to each and every TAUP proposal,” she said. “The three of us have long histories with Temple and care deeply about this university, the progress it has made in recent years and its future."

In addition, the negotiating team has regularly discussed the process and proposals with President Ann Weaver Hart and Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Lisa Staiano-Coico.

Here is a look at Temple's negotiating team in greater detail:

Richard M. Englert has served as Temple's deputy provost and dean of University College since 2003. Temple's second-ranking officer in academic affairs, Englert served as interim provost from July 2006 to July 2007.

He is a professor of educational administration in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in Temple's College of Education, where he served as dean from 1986 to 1990 — one of many leadership positions he has held at the university. An avid supporter of Temple's student athletes, especially the women's volleyball team, Englert is frequently seen — and heard — at home games in McGonigle Hall.

Concetta M. Stewart is dean of Temple's School of Communications and Theater (SCT), a position she has held since 2000. An expert in communications technologies, she joined SCT's faculty in 1993 before being selected as the first chair of Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media.

Stewart also has served as a faculty fellow in the Office of the Provost, chairing Temple's "Teaching, Learning and Technology" roundtable. She is an active national advocate for the advancement of women to leadership positions in higher education through the American Council on Education's Office of Women in Higher Education.

Diane Maleson assumed the role of senior vice provost for faculty development and faculty affairs on May 1, 2008. During her 36 years as a faculty member in Temple's Beasley School of Law (where she earned her J.D.), Maleson has served as chair of the Law School Administrative Committee, editor of the American Journal of Legal History, vice dean, associate dean and acting law librarian.

She has served twice as a faculty representative to the Faculty Senate Steering Committee, and served as vice provost for faculty from 1993 to 2001.

John B. Langel is a partner at the Philadelphia law firm of Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP. Temple was his first client as an attorney 33 years ago, and he has represented the university ever since.

A 1974 graduate of Temple's Beasley School of Law, Langel has been a member of Temple Law's Board of Visitors since its establishment and has taught sports law as an adjunct for more than a decade. The older of Langel's two sons, Matt, is an assistant coach of men's basketball at Temple; the younger, Casey, is a third-year student at Temple Law.

Also active on the Temple negotiating team are: Deborah L. Hartnett, vice president of human resources; Sharon Boyle, director of labor/employee relations; and George E. Moore, university counsel and secretary to the board of trustees.