CHAPARRAL

by Lynn McMurrey, President, Guild

Lynn Pomeroy and I have just returned from the CFT convention in Sacramento. The tone of the convention this year was very different from last year. Of course the budget was the main topic of discussion, but the main difference was the appearance (unscheduled) of the Governor and his complete “about face” on community college issues. Last year we were not even mentioned in his speech. This year he praised us for the work we do, and emphasized the importance of our mission to the student population of California. This change in attitude was caused by the instantaneous backlash to his cutting of vital funding for part-time faculty issues in last year’s budget. The reaction was massive and statewide, not only from the CFT and our lobbyists, but from the thousands of letters and faxes sent by faculty throughout the state. Thank you for your work! Your voice was heard and the result has been that even with the state budget deficit, part-time equity funds and office-hour pay have been guaranteed for this next year. The rest of the budget is not so bright. CalWORKs, matriculation, and Staff Development funding have all been eliminated. There is much work being done to try to restore them, in some form, as their elimination has caused much disruption and the risk of faculty jobs on some campuses. At this point we can only wait and see what the final budget will bring.

Another hot topic was the definition of “equity” pay for part-time faculty. At first glance it would seem simple: Pay adjunct faculty the same for an hour’s work that you pay full-time faculty. Nothing could be further from the actual practice. Full-time faculty members are paid for office hours (we have some movement there); they are paid for professional duties on campus, and paid for preparing and grading papers and tests. How do we add these tasks into the equation? Our negotiating team is working on this thorny issue and there should be some results to report and debate in the near future.

The Chaparral has again won honors at the state communications awards ceremonies. “Remembering Jonnie” (published in the February 2001 Chaparral) received the Third Place Award in the category of "Best Combination of Story and Graphics.” Susan Cisco also won recognition for her graphic work (see the details in another article this month). A reception will be held on April 11 from 12-1:30, in AD 249, to honor our winners and enjoy good company and good food.

I wish to thank the membership for your support for our negotiations. The contract was ratified by 234 Yes votes to 14 No votes. Five ballots were left blank and five were invalidated.

The task force on our “Level Pay Proposal” is ready to report, and there will be a special Guild meeting called on April 5, at 1:15 p.m. in Kreider Hall, to discuss the results and decide what action is to be taken. Mark your calendars. The final details on adjunct faculty office hours are also in the works and the results will shortly be unveiled and debated. As you can see, the winter session has been an active time for the Guild.

The process for replacing Mary Hamilton on the Board will take place on March 25. A public hearing sponsored by the Guild, Senate and CSEA will be held in Kreider Hall, where all faculty can question the candidates for the interim position on the Board of Trustees. The winner of this process will not be able to run for the full term when it comes due next year. The debate will be followed by a question and answer session by the Board at a special meeting at 5:00 p.m. By the time you read this, the new Board member should be in place.

Block Scheduling is a term that you will be hearing a lot during this year. Please try to find the time to attend the open forums being held to discuss this new scheduling format. If we decide to implement it, many things will change. You have the opportunity to have your input on this issue; use it!

By the time this article appears the Guild elections should be completed, the ballots cast, and the votes counted. You will have a new Executive committee and coordination of the new members into the Guild structure will have begun. I am happy to see that the elections are contested this year. The more candidates that run for office, the more choice we have, and the stronger the union will become. I hope to see the day when each position on the ballot has at least three valid candidates!