Higher Ed Bills Introduced in

the NJ State Legislature

 Although bills are introduced throughout the legislative session, these are some of the bills that have already been introduced in the New Jersey State Legislature that affect the working conditions of adjuncts. Please try to keep up with the progress of those that interest you and let your voice be heard by contacting your legislator.

 

 S-803   Sweeney (D-3)

The “Restoring the Ranks of Full-Time Faculty Act” [Part of the FACE legislation]; requires public institutions of higher education to ensure minimum level of full-time teaching faculty. In the last session this bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Diegnan as A-4364; it has not yet been reintroduced.

 

 S-819   Sweeney (D-3)

This bill extends unemployment benefits to certain college and university adjunct faculty members. It is a new bill which, last session, was without a sponsor.

 

 A-361   Diegnan (D-18/ Greenstein (D-14)/ Moriarity (D-4)

This bill adds two employees of the respective colleges or universities to the board of trustees of the same institution in which they are employed.

 

 A-721   Greenwald (D-6)/ Roberts (D-5)/ Watson Coleman (D-15)

This bill bases increased aid to colleges based on the national average and the number of graduates employed in New Jersey.

 

 

 

 

MENTORING—PHASE TWO

Last Fall’s pilot mentoring program, Adjunct to Adjunct, was a tremendous success and is now moving into phase two. Last semester nineteen adjuncts volunteered to mentor in the pilot program; most had two mentees. 

Vice-President Marge Hamilton hosted two receptions in December to thank the mentors and to discuss the future of the program with them.  Plans are being laid to make the program permanent with a paid coordinator. Adjunct to Adjunct will become a joint project of both the CCCAFF and the College.

The mentoring program is continuing during the spring semester. Current mentors will carry on in their roles with the new spring hires as there are traditionally fewer new adjuncts in the spring. By Fall 2008, Adjunct to Adjunct should be up and running with more mentors, more mentees throughout the College, and a complete program.

 

ASK CCCAFF…

We have asked Dean of Students, James Canonica, to respond to the question posed by one of our adjuncts.

 

 ADJ: Last semester I had several students who constantly disrupted the class. Someone told me I could have sent the students to James Canonica, Dean of Students. I would be hesitant to do that as I don’t know what happens if I refer them and I don’t want them “kicked out of school” or some other draconian solution. Do you know what happens to students when we refer them?

 Dean Canonica: Thank you for this inquiry. Many times faculty direct students to my office with this exact concern. I meet with students and inform them that this is a place where students have an expectation that the classroom is a learning space where an exchange of opinions and ideas can be discussed without fear of ridicule or comments that devalue the mission of the course.

I further explain to them there is a set of rules and policies that govern all members of the Camden County College community, specifically the student code of conduct, the classroom management clause in the student handbook, and the college policy about “civility and respect for diversity.” Usually this conversation refocuses a student’s attitude and behavior in the classroom.

 

ADJ: What happens if this is not effective?

Dean Canonica: We are planning a series of civility workshops at the end of the semester if they are needed. If the problem persists, however, the student would face disciplinary action.  The  “Classroom Management” policy is explained on page 41 of the student handbook; the Diversity and civility policy are also included in the student handbook and can be accessed at this link: http://www.camdencc.edu/college_pubs/StudentHandbook07.pdf.

 

Faculty Voices Essay/Video Contest

Free Exchange on Campus is an organization whose goal is to promote the free exchange of info and ideas on college campuses.  Among their other work has been combating restrictive bills  advocating "academic bill of rights" and "intellectual diversity".  Despite their liberal sounding names, both groups want to control and limit the interchange which takes place between student and faculty.

Free Exchange on Campus is sponsoring two essay/video contests on academic freedom for both teachers and students. The contests will run from now until March 14, 2008, with winners to be announced in the spring of 2008.

It is important to have some entries from the perspective of a contingent faculty member--particularly what that means in terms of what is at stake when teaching controversial material. Nominate a colleague, detailing how this individual engages his or her campus community in the classroom, in research activities, through mentoring and advising, or through participation in events on campus.  Students should also be encouraged to participate in essay/video contest. For more specific information, go to http://freeexchangeoncampus.org.