SDAFA would like to remind you of some important info about your job and let you know about opportunities to get involved in advocacy and political action aimed at improving adjunct working conditions.
Office hours
Be sure you know your college’s procedure for getting paid for office hours. You may have to submit a form in order to claim and be paid for office hours and that form probably must be submitted early in the semester. In the SDCCD, there is a form available on the AFT Guild website. It must be submitted by the end of the second week of classes.
Health benefits
Do you know if you are you eligible for health benefits through your district? Contact your HR department or your union to find out.
Contract negotiations
Most union contracts are renegotiated every 2-3 years. It is important to keep up on what is in the contract and the proposed changes. The goal is to improve working conditions with every new contract, but sometimes backward steps occur and those need to be rectified. Know your contract! Here are links to contracts for each district:
GCCCD (currently in negotiations)
SDCCD (preparing to enter negotiations soon)
Palomar (currently in negotiations)
Southwestern (expired June 30)
MiraCosta (expired June 30)
Job Security
An important aspect of our working conditions is job security. Did you know that CA Senate Bill 1379, passed last year, mandates that all districts must negotiate part-time faculty re-employment rights? Many districts in San Diego County have job security or re-employment rights negotiated for their adjuncts. Procedures for qualifying for these rights vary by district. Check your contract or contact your union to find out what you must do to attain these rights. In the SDCCD, you must request of your Dean to be included in the program, so if you don’t ask, your seniority and re-employment rights (called POA in SDCCD) will not be recognized!
Shared Governance
Are you participating in the decision making process on your campus? A great way to get to know about matters related to curriculum and accreditation is to participate in your campus Academic Senate. Find info on your college website and attend a meeting. Consider running for a seat on the Senate to have a vote and a voice on your campus. You might also consider serving on a state-wide Academic Senate committee. Application information is below. You do not have to be on your campus AC. And they pay for your travel for meetings!
Standing Committee & Volunteer Opportunities for 2017 – 2018
The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) needs volunteers for the 2017-18 year. Select from a list of opportunities from the statewide application form.
- We need diverse perspectives to represent and shape California Community Colleges.
- Serving on a committee is a benefit of ASCCC membership and provides you the opportunity to let your voice be heard.
- Let your passion lead you. There are appointments to serve on the many committees, work groups, and task forces.
- Gain leadership skills. Open to full- and part- time faculty, including individuals that are new to state level service.
Please complete the online form. For questions, please contact info@asccc.org.Other organizations for Information and Advocacy
The mission of the California Part-Time Faculty Association (CPFA) is to create the opportunity for community college students to have equal access to quality education by promoting professional equity for all faculty. In this regard, CPFA is dedicated to achieving our mission by:
- encouraging practices and policies that ensure our faculty is as diverse as the students we serve;
- educating the public, as well as students, faculty, administrators and legislators, about part-time faculty concerns and issues;
- serving as a coalition and resource base for all individuals and organizations interested in promoting professional equity;
- working to complement, enhance and reinvigorate the work that is already being done in faculty organizations, statewide and nationally, who share our mission;
- creating alliances with other faculty, academic, labor, or social organizations, statewide or nationally, who share our goals;
- seeking legislative means to achieve our goals.
The statewide professional membership association that advocates solely for all California Community College faculty. FACCC is dedicated to representing your interests in state and federal government. Its professional staff and volunteer leaders testify at hearings, meet with legislators, and organize policy forums to promote the message of community college faculty. FACCC’s sister corporation, FACCC Education Institute (FACCC EI), organizes workshops and conferences for faculty across California. FACCC EI also provides policymakers with research materials on community college issues.
Carol Whaley