Part-Time Faculty Voting for Academic Senate Officers

[Susan C. Herrmann]

Hello, Colleagues,

I've recently become Academic Senate President at MiraCosta, now that Mike Fino is Interim Dean of Math and Science.

 

In continuing our work begun last year with the revision of our Senate structure, the MiraCosta College Academic Senate is considering what role, if any, part-time faculty should have in voting for Academic Senate Officers.

 

We are collecting information about how other colleges are approaching this situation and would appreciate your answers to the following questions about your Academic Senate:

 

1. Do part-time faculty vote for Academic Senate Officers (For example, President, Vice-President, Chairperson)?

 

2. If the answer to #1. above is "no," why do they not have a vote?

 

3. If the answer to #1. above is "yes," do part-time faculty voters have a full vote or less than a full vote and what is the rationale for the weight of the vote?

 
4. Please provide additional comments about the context of any relevant discussions or decisions (has this never been talked about, when was this decided, what was the tenor of the discussion, etc.)

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. We would appreciate a response by Monday, March 14.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Susan Herrmann

President

MiraCosta College Academic Senate

[Alfred Hochstaedter]

At Monterey Peninsula College we welcome adjunct instructors onto the Academic Senate. All members of the Academic Senate--including adjuncts--have equal votes. Only members of the Academic Senate vote for officers.

-Fred Hochstaedter

Academic Senate President

Monterey Peninsula College

--
This group has NOT been established or endorsed by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges or its Executive Committee. This discussion group is not moderated, and any opinion expressed is solely that of its author.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CCCSenates" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cccsenates+...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to cccse...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Curtis Martin]

I’ve answered after each question.

 

Curtis Martin, President

Academic Senate, Modesto Junior College

 

From: cccse...@googlegroups.com [mailto:cccse...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Susan C. Herrmann
Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 12:56 PM
To: CCCSenates
Subject: [Google Group CCCSenates] Part-Time Faculty Voting for Academic Senate Officers

 

Hello, Colleagues,

 

I've recently become Academic Senate President at MiraCosta, now that Mike Fino is Interim Dean of Math and Science.

 

In continuing our work begun last year with the revision of our Senate structure, the MiraCosta College Academic Senate is considering what role, if any, part-time faculty should have in voting for Academic Senate Officers.

 

We are collecting information about how other colleges are approaching this situation and would appreciate your answers to the following questions about your Academic Senate:

 

1. Do part-time faculty vote for Academic Senate Officers (For example, President, Vice-President, Chairperson)?

 No.

2. If the answer to #1. above is "no," why do they not have a vote?

The position for President and Vice President are reserved for tenured faculty.  The rationale is that tenured faculty are less vulnerable to pressure and can act more independently (nothing original in this argument).

There are no restrictions in our bylaws about who gets to represent divisions.  For example, two adjuncts currently serve a division that has four representatives.  However, they are advised that they are there to represent the will of the division, not part-time faculty.  In addition, we do have two representative positions specifically reserved for adjuncts.

3. If the answer to #1. above is "yes," do part-time faculty voters have a full vote or less than a full vote and what is the rationale for the weight of the vote?

 N/A

4. Please provide additional comments about the context of any relevant discussions or decisions (has this never been talked about, when was this decided, what was the tenor of the discussion, etc.)

The issue of adjunct vote is always a difficult discussion, whether in department, division, or Senate meetings. Although we have a large pool of adjuncts, the vast majority of courses are still taught by full-timers (I think it may be around 62% - not exactly 75/25, but not too shabby either).   For us the problem may be compounded by the fact that adjuncts have very few, if any, contractual protections.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. We would appreciate a response by Monday, March 14.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Susan Herrmann

President

MiraCosta College Academic Senate

--

[Curtis Martin]

Corrections! Sorry, I misread the first question.

 

From: cccse...@googlegroups.com [mailto:cccse...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Curtis Martin
Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 1:20 PM
To: cccse...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [Google Group CCCSenates] Part-Time Faculty Voting for Academic Senate Officers

 

I’ve answered after each question.

 

Curtis Martin, President

Academic Senate, Modesto Junior College

 

From: cccse...@googlegroups.com [mailto:cccse...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Susan C. Herrmann
Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 12:56 PM
To: CCCSenates
Subject: [Google Group CCCSenates] Part-Time Faculty Voting for Academic Senate Officers

 

 

Hello, Colleagues,

 

I've recently become Academic Senate President at MiraCosta, now that Mike Fino is Interim Dean of Math and Science.

 

In continuing our work begun last year with the revision of our Senate structure, the MiraCosta College Academic Senate is considering what role, if any, part-time faculty should have in voting for Academic Senate Officers.

 

We are collecting information about how other colleges are approaching this situation and would appreciate your answers to the following questions about your Academic Senate:

 

1. Do part-time faculty vote for Academic Senate Officers (For example, President, Vice-President, Chairperson)?

Yes, ALL faculty vote for the positions.

2. If the answer to #1. above is "no," why do they not have a vote?

The position for President and Vice President are reserved for tenured faculty.  The rationale is that tenured faculty are less vulnerable to pressure and can act more independently (nothing original in this argument).

There are no restrictions in our bylaws about who gets to represent divisions.  For example, two adjuncts currently serve a division that has four representatives.  However, they are advised that they are there to represent the will of the division, not part-time faculty.  In addition, we do have two representative positions specifically reserved for adjuncts.

3. If the answer to #1. above is "yes," do part-time faculty voters have a full vote or less than a full vote and what is the rationale for the weight of the vote?

The vote of the entire faculty for those positions has never been an issue – at least in the time I’ve worked at my institution.

4. Please provide additional comments about the context of any relevant discussions or decisions (has this never been talked about, when was this decided, what was the tenor of the discussion, etc.)

The issue of adjunct vote is always a difficult discussion, whether in department, division, or Senate meetings. Although we have a large pool of adjuncts, the vast majority of courses are still taught by full-timers (I think it may be around 62% - not exactly 75/25, but not too shabby either).   For us the problem may be compounded by the fact that adjuncts have very few, if any, contractual protections.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. We would appreciate a response by Monday, March 14.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Susan Herrmann

President

MiraCosta College Academic Senate

[Shaw, Leigh Anne]

At Skyline College, we do not have any language in the by-laws that restrict the officers to roles of full-time or otherwise. It is generally understood that the President and VP need to be full-time due to the amount of work the jobs have.

 

Division representatives can and have been part-time and have full vote.  Part-timers have also served as chairs of committees (although it would be rare to have anyone but a full-timer serve on a committee like curriculum due to extraordinary workload.

 

All faculty at Skyline vote equally for officer positions – we have no language stipulating different percentage of vote. 
LA

 

Leigh Anne Shaw

Professor, English for Speakers of Other Languages
Coordinator, English Language Institute
Secretary and Past President, Skyline College Academic Senate 2014-2016
ASCCC Relations with Local Senates Committee, 2016-2017
Skyline College - 3300 College Dr., San Bruno, CA 94066

(650) 738-4408  Sh...@smccd.edu

Our mission is to empower and transform a global community of learners.

 

 

 

From: cccse...@googlegroups.com [mailto:cccse...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Susan C. Herrmann
Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 12:56 PM
To: CCCSenates
Subject: [Google Group CCCSenates] Part-Time Faculty Voting for Academic Senate Officers

 

--

[Hirzel, Douglas]

Please see responses from Cañada College below…

On Feb 29, 2016, at 12:56 PM, Susan C. Herrmann <critch...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello, Colleagues,

I've recently become Academic Senate President at MiraCosta, now that Mike Fino is Interim Dean of Math and Science.

 

In continuing our work begun last year with the revision of our Senate structure, the MiraCosta College Academic Senate is considering what role, if any, part-time faculty should have in voting for Academic Senate Officers.

 

We are collecting information about how other colleges are approaching this situation and would appreciate your answers to the following questions about your Academic Senate:

 

1. Do part-time faculty vote for Academic Senate Officers (For example, President, Vice-President, Chairperson)?

Our Senate’s constitution states that all faculty are members of the Academic Senate.  We are a Senate of the Whole.  As such, that means everyone gets a full vote.  We are considering changing our constitution to become a representative senate which likely would have implications on who then gets a vote.

 

2. If the answer to #1. above is "no," why do they not have a vote?

 

3. If the answer to #1. above is "yes," do part-time faculty voters have a full vote or less than a full vote and what is the rationale for the weight of the vote?

Everyone gets a full vote.  Not sure how one could justify that a part-timer’s view on any of the 10+1 would "count less” and thus warrant less of a full vote.

 
4. Please provide additional comments about the context of any relevant discussions or decisions (has this never been talked about, when was this decided, what was the tenor of the discussion, etc.)

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. We would appreciate a response by Monday, March 14.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Susan Herrmann

President

MiraCosta College Academic Senate

[Carol Kimbrough]

Hi Susan,

Hartnell provides for two part-time faculty positions in the membership of the Senate.  There are currently 15 full-time faculty positions for a total of 17 Senators.  The two part-time faculty positions vote for Senate officers with full rights of any other member of the Senate.  At the recommendation of the Senate, Hartnell has also included one part-time faculty positions in each of our shared governance councils and committees - with full voting rights.

Good luck to you in your role as President, Susan!

Best regards,

Carol K

Carol Kimbrough, MA, MFT

Psychology Instructor * Clinical Supervisor, Crisis Counseling Services * Chair, Curriculum Committee * President, Academic Senate

411 CENTRAL AVENUE | SALINAS, CA 93901

831.755-6856 Direct  | Office: E-308

ckimb...@hartnell.edu | www.hartnell.edu

--

[Holliday, Ann]

Hi All,

At Coastline College, part time faculty have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as full time faculty.

1. Do part-time faculty vote for Academic Senate Officers (For example, President, Vice-President, Chairperson)? 

   Elected Senators vote for Senate officers; part time faculty are elected as Senators the same a full time faculty, and their votes count the same. All of our Senators are at-large.

 

2. If the answer to #1. above is "no," why do they not have a vote?

 

3. If the answer to #1. above is "yes," do part-time faculty voters have a full vote or less than a full vote and what is the rationale for the weight of the vote?

  All part time Senators have a full vote.

4. Please provide additional comments about the context of any relevant discussions or decisions (has this never been talked about, when was this decided, what was the tenor of the discussion, etc.)

   Since Coastline's beginning part time faculty have had an equal role to full time faculty in the governance of the college.

Ann Holliday, Professor

Academic Senate President

Coastline Community College

---

From: cccse...@googlegroups.com [cccse...@googlegroups.com] on behalf of Susan C. Herrmann [critch...@gmail.com]

Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 12:56 PM
To: CCCSenates
Subject: [Google Group CCCSenates] Part-Time Faculty Voting for Academic Senate Officers

--

[Lara Baxley]

Hello Susan,

 

I have added my answers below for Cuesta College. 

 

Lara

 

---------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Lara Baxley

lba...@cuesta.edu

Academic Senate President

Chemistry Faculty -- Physical Sciences Division

Cuesta College

PO Box 8106

San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106

---------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

From: cccse...@googlegroups.com [mailto:cccse...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Susan C. Herrmann
Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 12:56 PM
To: CCCSenates
Subject: [Google Group CCCSenates] Part-Time Faculty Voting for Academic Senate Officers

 

Hello, Colleagues,

 

I've recently become Academic Senate President at MiraCosta, now that Mike Fino is Interim Dean of Math and Science.

 

In continuing our work begun last year with the revision of our Senate structure, the MiraCosta College Academic Senate is considering what role, if any, part-time faculty should have in voting for Academic Senate Officers.

 

We are collecting information about how other colleges are approaching this situation and would appreciate your answers to the following questions about your Academic Senate:

 

1. Do part-time faculty vote for Academic Senate Officers (For example, President, Vice-President, Chairperson)?

 yes

2. If the answer to #1. above is "no," why do they not have a vote?

 

3. If the answer to #1. above is "yes," do part-time faculty voters have a full vote or less than a full vote and what is the rationale for the weight of the vote?

 Full vote

4. Please provide additional comments about the context of any relevant discussions or decisions (has this never been talked about, when was this decided, what was the tenor of the discussion, etc.)

Any part-time faculty is eligible to serve as a representative for their division or the representative from our satellite campus on the Academic Senate Council.  In addition, we have a part-time at-large position on the Senate Council (we also have a full-time at-large position).  This position is not always filled because part-time faculty do not have an obligation for college service and are not compensated for service.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. We would appreciate a response by Monday, March 14.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Susan Herrmann

President

MiraCosta College Academic Senate

--

[Greg Kemble]

At Yuba College: President and Vice-President are full-time faculty elected from the faculty at large, and all faculty (full- and part-time) have an equal vote. (The Secretary is selected from among the members of the senate, and confirmed by the senate.)

Two out of our 10 senators are part-time faculty. They have an equal vote on the Senate.

Greg

Yuba College

[Wendell Stephenson]

Our Senate just recently voted to give Part timers full voting rights on every matter that comes before the Senate.  There was little dispute over doing this; however, some FT faculty worried that it would mean even fewer FT faculty serving on Senate and pressure on PT faculty to serve.

 

From: cccse...@googlegroups.com [mailto:cccse...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Susan C. Herrmann
Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 12:56 PM
To: CCCSenates
Subject: [Google Group CCCSenates] Part-Time Faculty Voting for Academic Senate Officers

 

--

[Susan C. Herrmann]

Thank you for your comments. We transitioned from being a Senate of the Whole to a Representative Senate just last academic year. We did a lot of research and carefully redesigned our officer structure. Thus far, the transition has gone remarkably smoothly. If we can be of any help to you as you attempt the same, please let me know!

Susan
sher...@miracosta.edu