MIT Police Association returns to negotiations
MIT leadership proposed a 0% raise in the first year with no guarantees for the second or third year
Since April 6, the MIT Police Association has been in discussions over a new contract with MIT and have been working without a contract since July in accordance with the previous agreement.
MIT proposed a contract with a 0% raise in the first year of the contract with no guarantees of raises in the second and third year of the contract. In comparison, the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area experienced 3.7% inflation over the past year (as of July 2026), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In a press release regarding the offer, the MIT Police Association said that they were disappointed with MIT’s offer, especially as top executives at MIT receive salary increases (16.7% on average) substantially above the increase in cost of living.
“Offering officers a 0% raise while executives receive double-digit increases sends a clear message about whose work MIT values — and whose it does not. The MIT community deserves better,” the association said.
However, Institute administrators have expressed that they have to adopt a careful stance on budgeting and hiring given the uncertain outlook for federal funding and policy. They cited the July 2025 8% tax passed by Congress on investment returns from university endowments as well as limited restoration of federal funding, which have led to budget cuts across the university. Last October, the MIT Investment Management Company released financial figures for the 2025 fiscal year, noting “MIT’s endowment funds totaled $27.4 billion” after “an investment return of 14.8 percent.”
In addition to compensation, the MIT Police Association also proposed a plan to lower health insurance premiums, which was rejected by the Institute. The association is also pushing for an increase in personnel. Currently, the department has 39 officers and three vacancies. As of now, Police Chief John DiFava has committed to filling only one vacancy. Melissa Hurley Sullivan, spokesperson for the association, stated that this shortage of police officers is a “direct threat to public safety.”
“[The proposal] demonstrates a clear lack of respect for the men and women who protect the MIT community every day,” Sullivan wrote.
The MIT Police Association does not intend to go on strike, even if an agreement is not reached. However, there are plans to increase outreach within the MIT community and to the broader public. Potential actions include joint efforts with other unions, as well as campaigning directly to parents during the MIT Family Weekend.