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 Ponderings of the President
by Ira Lansing
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There is no denying that technology and the Internet are here to stay
This month's question was "Should part-timers be granted tenure?"
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Welcome to a new year and a new semester. Notice I did not say "new century" or "new millennium." You can party all you want, but to us purists the year 2001 marks the start of it all (OK: It all hinges on there being no year zero. A century is 100 years. Start counting from 1 to 100 and that's one hundred years, the end of a century. The next century commences with 101, etc. Same logic for a millennium. Good excuse to party again in about a year).
The triple zeros of 2000 raise many interesting questions, not limited to Y2K problems. First and foremost might be just what we will call the years from 2000 to 2009. You know, like the 60s, 70s. It is easy to write the 00s, but how do you pronounce them? Calling them the "double-ohs" might work, but does not accurately convey the other dates. Most writers seem to be settling on the slightly archaic term of the "naughts." Fortunately it may be left to future historians and audio journalists to argue that one. As far as we are concerned, the specter of a new millennium dawning raises interesting questions for union members.
There is no denying that technology and the Internet are here to stay (despite early comparisons to the CB craze of the 70s). How they will impact on us in our educational routine will vary for each person. Fortunately, because of the academic freedom afforded to each unit member by the collective bargaining agreement, the influence resides with each individual. You can use the same lecture notes into the new millennium and beyond, or you can incorporate any aspect of the technology, even going so far as to teach in a virtual classroom (this means you are spaced out along with your students).
If you choose to go any part of this techno-route, there is an interesting web site you may wish to visit. It is presented by Educational Development Associates and is located at
http://www.zianet.com/edacyrs/tipsindex.htm (no "L" on the last htm).
The site covers issues from keys to creating quality distance learning programs, necessary instructional skills, evaluation and the 123 (really!) most important things the author learned from teaching a distance learning class. The site also raises interesting collective bargaining issues regarding the roles of the instructor and the institution in the creation and presentation of the courses. Whether or not virtual classrooms or distance learning will be the CBs of the 00s remains to be seen.
Odds and ends (as if the preceding was not enough): As faithful readers of this column are quite aware, I get lots of mail. Most of it I consider of the junk variety, but I guess that's what comes with the title "President." One newsletter I receive has a column with pro/con opinions on a particular question. This month's question was "Should part-timers be granted tenure?" I read that and thought, "Who would put themselves out there not supporting rights for part-timers?" But the "con" part of the column was not blank, so I read on. The author, a Minnesota community college instructor, opposed tenure for temporary employees on an interesting basis. He said that until part-timers have equal rights in all other areas (pay, benefits, working conditions, etc.), tenure should not occur. He argues that tenure implies equality, and until that has happened, tenure should not. An interesting, and probably politically correct, perspective. Pursuing this argument might raise some interesting questions for UPM.
Even though we are a year shy of a new millennium, as you have read, it did not prevent me from some speculation on the future. Whatever you may believe the future holds, do not forget the words of Yogi Berra (baseball, not cartoons): "I saw the future and it didn't look the same." Have a healthy and productive semester. Stay in touch, stay informed.
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NEW POSITION UP FOR GRABS
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The District is planning to hire 11 new full-time faculty this spring, in the following disciplines: Nursing, Dental Assisting, Drama, Physical Education (2) (Wellness/Fitness, and Coaching), Biology, Art (3), Computer Information Systems (Networking), and Engineering/Chemistry. |
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MASTER BREAK WORK RESOLVED
ERROR IN CONTRACT RE RETIREES
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In December a manager told a one-unit coordinator that she was expected work through semester break. The coordinator, a member of the faculty, called Bernadene Allen, UPM grievance officer, asking for clarification. Allen told the coordinator who already puts in many more than the 17.5 hours per semester that she is paid for that she did not have to work during semester break, and she did not. That resolved the situation, for the present.
ERROR IN CONTRACT RE RETIREES
Anyone thinking about retiring soon should be aware that there is an error in the 1998-2001 collective bargaining agreement. The section defining RETCUM status expires in June, 2001, not June, 2000. Anyone retiring through June, 2001, is eligible for RETCUM status at step 14 on the salary schedule for a period of three years.
After that date, retirees may not be eligible for RETCUM status, and may only be able to return as emergency hires, at step 3 on the salary schedule, with no benefits. These provisions have yet to be settled, when negotiations on a new contract begin. |
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P/Ters WANT VOTE OF 'NO CONFIDENCE' IN CHANCELLOR
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| I am hearing a lot of support for a vote of no confidence in the Chancellor and Board of Governors for their opposition to both legislative and budget solutions to the part-time faculty equity problem. |
Tom Tyner, president of Community College Council of CFT, submitted the following to the UNION PRESS regarding of a vote of no confidence in the Chancellor and Board of Governors:
I am hearing a lot of support for a vote of no confidence in the Chancellor and Board of Governors for their opposition to both legislative and budget solutions to the part-time faculty equity problem. We have given them the chance at three BOG meetings to support the $50 million pay equity proposal, we have expressed our concern at a demonstration, and as of the January BOG meeting, the Chancellor and BOG remain opposed to our proposal. They of course also opposed AB 420. How can part-time faculty have any confidence in their (Chancellor, BOG) ability to lead?
I would suggest a district-by-district vote (conducted through the locals) of all part-time faculty beginning as soon as possible. The more districts that take the vote (all 72 would be ideal) the better. We know where p.t. activists stand on the issue, but we need to hear from the rank and file across the state.
I would suggest the following "vote of no confidence" resolution which individual part-time faculty within a district would vote to "support" or "reject. A majority of those part-time faculty voting in a particular district would have to vote "support" for the vote of no confidence to pass in that district. Please read it over, tell me how it looks. Once we have agreement on the resolution, we can get going. Please provide input.
Thanks,
Tom
The text of the resolution of no confidence is as follows:
Vote of No Confidence in State Chancellor and Board of Trustees
Whereas Community college part-time faculty are grossly underpaid compared to their full-time faculty counterparts and to any reasonable standard of professional pay for college instructors; and
Whereas The underpayment of part-time faculty results in thousands of part-time faculty working for poverty level wages; in thousands of excellent part-time faculty leaving the profession annually; in the community college system's inability to attract minority candidates for part-time teaching positions; and in the undermining of the quality of education provided to community college students; and
Whereas All community college faculty organizations have supported legislation (AB 420) and a $50 million budget proposal to address the part-time faculty pay inequity problem, as well as related problems; and
Whereas The Chancellor of the community college system, Thomas Nussbaum, and the Community College Board of Governors have opposed both AB 420 and the $50 million budget proposal to improve part-time faculty salaries; and
Whereas The opposition of the Chancellor and the Board of Governors is a major obstruction to part-time faculty achieving pay equity statewide; and
Whereas The opposition of the Chancellor and the Board of Governors perpetuates the economic exploitation of all part-time faculty in the community colleges; and
Whereas The opposition of the Chancellor and the Board of Governors reflects a basic indifference to the problem of pay inequity for part-time faculty and the resulting negative effects;
Be it resolved That the part-time faculty of the Marin Community College District have LOST CONFIDENCE in the ability of the Chancellor and the Board of Governors to lead the system in a manner that is in the best interests of part-time faculty or the students they serve;
Be it further resolved That the part-time faculty call on the Chancellor to resign from office, and call on Governor Gray Davis to make appointments to the Board of Governors to change significantly the make-up of the Board.
Check one:
____ I support the "vote of no confidence" resolution.
____ I oppose the "vote of no confidence" resolution.
The Executive Council supports the resolution, but feels that the entire faculty should be heard, not only part-timers.
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EDITOR RETURNS
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After a 2-month medical leave, Steve Jabloner returns this month as editor of the UNION PRESS. He extends his thanks to Ben Lull for a fine job of filling in during Steve's absence.
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CORRECTIONS TO 2000-2001 ACADEMIC CALENDER
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CORRECTIONS TO 2000-2001
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The Academic Calendar for 2000-2001, as published in the UNION PRESS last month, contained two errors. They are: Sept. 22, 2000, the last day to request CR/NC, should be Sept. 15, and April 16, 2001, the last drop date, should be April 27, 2001.
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FOUR NEW COORDINATOR NAMED
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On Friday, January 21st, four CAI (Computer Assisted Instruction) coordinators were appointed by UDWC (the Workload Committee). The four are:
Carol Adair, Basic Skills
Robin Lavin, English as a Second Language
Bob Petersen, Sciences
David Rollison, English
The appointments are two-unit assignments, and are for one year. |
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UPM S PAC OFF AND RUNNING
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Tom Menendez, one of three members of the union s political action committee, submitted the following article to acquaint the membership with the PAC s purpose, endeavors, and accomplishments.
We formed the Political Action Committee (UPMPAC) in response to the increasing need in today s economy to influence the political process on a local, state and national level. The quality of education at the College and the working conditions, wages and welfare of our unit members is not merely a function of our isolated efforts at the collective bargaining table. It also results from a complex set of factors evolving in various political arenas on the local level with the Board of Trustees and in the offices of our state and federally elected officials. Without a coordinated political effort at all levels of government, our influence here at the local level at best is made more difficult and at worst is made completely ineffectual.
Our first efforts at backing two incumbent members of our Board, Phyllis Metcalfe and Frank Parnell, for re-election proved to be a resounding success. They were both re-elected by the highest margin of votes on the Board. We made the difference both by organizing a mailing to all AFT members registered to vote in Marin County regardless of where they taught, and by influencing the North Bay Central Labor Council endorsements. This made the marginal difference in votes for both Phyllis and Frank. The results were positive and very cost-effective.
Issues come first, candidates and parties second. We are most interested in how our elected officials handle important issues that affect the lives of our unit members. We will be closely following all Board members positions on issues important to our membership and the College and, with your in-put, formulate our future support and opposition accordingly. Our work does not begin and end with the election cycles, but is rather a fluid and ongoing process. We are watchdogs and plan to hold our politicians accountable.
We need your input. Your participation is essential to our viability. Contact us at the Union office, call us, buttonhole us on campus. We are Arthur Lutz, Jeannie Langinger and Tom Menendez. Alert us to any political issue which you think could be of interest to us. We need help monitoring the actions of our politicians and we want to know about the favorable and unfavorable aspects of their political and economic behavior which could affect the interests of our membership.
We need your help. From time to time we need to mobilize around certain issues and, of course, we need money to operate. If you can t volunteer some time to stuff envelopes, attend meetings, walk precincts or make phone calls, at least make as generous a money contribution with a check or payroll deduction as you can. Rest assured that we respect your money and spend it with all due care and thought.
Remember that our real strength is in utilizing our personal contacts to promote our economic, political and social interests. If all politics is local (heard that one before?), then all effective political outreach is personal. One-on-one conversations are powerful ways of spreading the word. Discuss our political interests with your fellow instructors, relatives and neighbors. Let them know who is sympathetic to our interests and who is not. Educate them on the issues.
Politics is pretty much alley-style fighting. The better we get at doing it, the greater the benefits of an economically and socially amenable environment for the College and our Union members.
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TAKE THE FUTURE INTO YOUR OWN HANDS
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Plan Now To Vote March 7th For Candidates Who Support Working Families
In the March 7 elections, California workers will decide between a future that works for working families, and a future that works for corporations, insurance companies and wealthy politicians. Union members can make the difference. We stood together to defeat Prop 226 and elect a new governor in 1998. In 2000, we ll help California make the right choices for a bright future. Here s how you can get involved:
Make sure your voter registration is up to date at your current address.
Apply to vote by mail. Any California voter can ask for an absentee ballot. Save time on election day, and vote in the privacy of your own home. Check your sample ballot for an application.
Compare the candidates for local, state and federal offices. Where do they stand on the issues that matter to working families?
Talk about the issues that matter to you with your friends, co-workers and family. UPM will have more information about key issues in the February UNION PRESS. You can volunteer to spread the word in your community.
Vote. You re more powerful than you think.
Prepared by the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, (415) 986-3585. |
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TREASURER'S REPORT
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Cash Flow Report
10/1/99 Through 12/31/99
Category Description 10/1/99-12/31/99 % of Total
INCOME
other income 50.00 0.10%
dues & assessment 44,094.18 87.56%
cft/aft grants 5,961.92 11.84%
interest income 253.53 0.50%
TOTAL INCOME 50,359k.63 100.00%
EXPENSES
fed/state tax w/h, salary 982.04 2.36%
wells fargo payroll serv. 184.40 0.44%
payment to affiliates 24,593.04 59.22%
attorney 1,303.71 3.14%
contributions 152.20 0.37%
dues and subscription 30.00 0.07%
duplic & printing 140.35 0.34%
insurance 1,032.09 2.49%
meeting costs 268.05 0.65%
office supplies 32.16 0.08%
postage 33.00 0.08%
rent 300.00 0.72%
salary 5,120.61 12.33%
stipend 6,382.00 15.37%
telephone 124.83 0.30%
purchase units 849.81 2.05%
TOTAL EXPENSES 41,528.29 100.00%
TOTAL INCOME - EXPENSES 8,831.34 100.00%
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If want to download a formated printout go to http://www.idrive.com and sign in at the "visit i-drive" with the name "CalGuy" you will be taken to a shared folder which contains the UPM 1998-2001 contract in three formats