On February 22nd, the Connecticut General Assembly will be hearing debate on Raised Bill No. 7187, "An Act Concerning Compensation Equity Among Higher Education Faculty". The joint House and Senate bill addresses issues of salary and benefits equity between regular faculty and adjunct faculty and increases the numbers of regular faculty members at the constituent units of the state system of higher education. People set to speak at the public hearing include representatives from AFT-Connecticut.

Read Raised Bill No. 7187.

The New York Times reported on February 11, 2007 of the constant troubles plaguing the University of Phoenix. As a leading university in its abuse of part-time faculty, the online for-profit college is facing questions as to the quality and academic rigor of its programs. In its drive for higher profits and less investment in faculty, according to students and former administrators, the University of Phoenix is eroding academic quality.

Read the full New York Times article.

In an article published Sunday, February 11, 2007, The Seattle Times looks at the poor working conditions and pay inequity for part-time faculty in the state of Washington. Often referred to as "Freeway fliers", these part-time faculty members find themselves shuttling from campus to campus, trying to make a living off of less pay for the same amount of work as full-timers. President of AFT-Washington and AFT Vice President Sandra Schroeder is quoted in the article as saying, "It's way out of whack. The part-time/full-time ratio is pathetic."

Read the full Seattle Times article.

February 9, 2007: In West Virginia, after being introduced in the State Senate last week, The Faculty Excellence Act will be introduced today in the House of Delegates.   The two bills, Senate Bill 432 and House Bill 2965 are identical in their support for full-time and part-time faculty. 

In addition, the sponsors for the House Bill, Delegate Linda Longstreth (D-43), Delegate Charlene Marshall (D-44), Delegate David G. Perry (D-29), Delegate Kenneth Tucker (D-04), and Delegate Dale Stephens (D-16), represent the three largest universities in West Virginia: Fairmont State University, West Virginia University, and Marshall University.       

Read House Bill No. 2965.

Yesterday, Inside Higher Ed reported on changes being considered at Yale regarding their tenure process (the story was also reported today in The Chronicle). Both reports made an interesting point about the difficulty of getting tenure even for the most qualified junior faculty members. The reason? Lack of tenure slots.

One of the earliest states to file FACE legislation was Washington State where HB 1875, “Providing for Faculty Opportunities at Institutions of Higher Education” sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Kenney (D-Seattle) was introduced on January 23, 2007. On the Senate side, Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle) filed the companion bill, SB 5514, on January 31, 2007. Both bills have multiple co-sponsors and hearings scheduled in the next month.

AFT Washington has a long history of fighting for better working conditions for part-time and adjunct faculty and FACE is the next step in that effort. To learn more about AFT Washington’s efforts in these areas visit the AFT Washington website or the Washington FACE page.

Read the House and Senate bills in Washington State.

February 1, 2007;  In West Virginia, State Senators Jon Blair Hunter(D-14), Randy White (D-11) and Joseph M. Minard (D-12) introduced a bill entitled "The Faculty Excellence Act", setting legislative goals for full-time and part-time faculty at state colleges and universities with specific ratios to be met by 2013. It provides that each institution of higher education establish a Faculty Restoration and Equity Fund for legislative appropriations aimed at providing the resources necessary to accomplish the goals of the act.

Read Senate Bill No. 432.

Albuquerque, NM: On January 26, 2007, Rep. Miguel P. Garcia (D-14) introduced House Bill 591, “requiring a salary standard for adjunct and other nontenure-track faculty” and “providing for the restoration of full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty.” AFT New Mexico will be working with Rep. Garcia to help raise awareness of the goals embodied in the FACE campaign in New Mexico.

Read House Bill 591.