Here's a link
to, and the text of, today's [Oct. 29, 03] Sentinel story on Campus
Equity Week. The reporter didn't use any of our (brilliant) quotes,
but did use stuff right from our "Did you know ..."
flyer of stats. And she threw in a quote from Cathy Summa about
how there's no $$ for us right now, probably for "balance."
All in all,
pretty good press! Perhaps you could forward this to council and
adjunct folks? Thanks.
John
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http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2003/October/29/local/stories/11local.htm
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Santa Cruz Sentinel
October 29, 2003
Part-time
Cabrillo instructors seek better pay, benefits
By RAMONA TURNER - Sentinel staff writer
More than
300 instructors at Cabrillo College are part-time teachers. That’s
about two-thirds the college’s teaching population. Of the
part-timers, 15 percent received a stipend for health benefits.
None receive retirement benefits.
And their
paychecks add up to no more than 60 percent of what a full-time
faculty member receives for teaching the same class.
Those statistics
are the backbone behind this week’s designation as Campus
Equity Week at Cabrillo and other college and university campuses
throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"Equal
Pay for Equal Work," read a sign attached to a table in front
of the administration building on Cabrillo’s Aptos campus
Tuesday. On the table, were a number of brochures explaining the
part-timers’ requests for equal pay, health care and job
security. There also was a tray filled with peanuts, symbolizing
part-timers pay.
"The
college would like to do more for both full-time and part-time,
but there just isn’t enough dollars right now to meet all
the objectives," said Cathy Summa, college spokeswoman.
During better financial times, she said, the state appropriated
$50 million toward part-time compensation.
Cabrillo’s
Web site shows that a first year full-time faculty member who
holds a master’s degree and teaches 15 units per semester
can earn $49,021 annually, plus benefits. Meanwhile, a part-time
teacher with the same qualifications and workload earns $980 per
unit, or $14,700 for the semester. That’s $29,400 a year,
with no benefits.
While part-timers
acknowledge that administrators support improving working conditions,
they say the budget situation is further undercutting job security.
Two years ago, the campus had 475 part-timers, now there are 333.
And more cuts are expected next year, as the state wrestles to
close a budget gap that could amount to as much as $20 billion.
People who
stopped by the table were asked to sign a form letter to Gov.-elect
Arnold Schwarzenegger urging him to improve working conditions.
Those who stopped were eager to sign the letter.
"This
all started in the Reagan-era when full-time faculty positions
were eliminated in favor of cheap part-time labor," said
Sean McCullough, who manages the performing arts theater. "We
really empathize with you."
Cabrillo’s
part-timers will hit the bargaining table next semester to negotiate
for a three-year contract.
For more
information about Campus Equity Week, which ends Friday, visit
www.cewaction.org.
Contact Ramona Turner at rturner@santa-cruz.com.