Harvey Speaks on Faculty Rights

Part-time faculty members organized their first series of events during the International Campus Equity week on Monday to express frustrations and concerns with the ongoing negotiations of the contract for the Cerritos College Faculty Federation.

Equity Week joins students and faculty across the United States, Canada and Mexico to participate in activities to help build solidarity among adjunct faculty.

Marcus Harvey, associate secretary for the American Association of University Professors, said he was invited by the CCFF executive director, Peter Nguyen, as a friendly favor to speak on social justice, fair rights for faculty, and why students should care about what goes on with their school's faculty members.

Approximately 60 students showed up for Harvey's speech compared to around 10 faculty members.

In his speech, Harvey explained to students that it's important for them to know about what's going on with their instructors because this is their education.

He said that it would hurt the student's education because without part-time faculty rights, many instructors are afraid or timid in teaching controversial studies, therefore students might feel ripped off.

Although many of the students attended as a request from their instructor and as an extra-credit opportunity, one student felt it was necessary.

"I originally came here because my professor asked us to and is giving extra credit," Eric Mena, ASCC senator and psychology major, said, "but I'm also with the student senate and we're here to help out the teachers.

"It (the speech) was obviously one-sided, but I think it's the way to go because it's convincing," Mena added.

Maria Vega, CCFF vice president for adjunct faculty, said that Harvey's speech seemed to blow over some students' heads due to it being full of statistics and budget facts, but that she felt it was wonderful to see so many students supporting the faculty.

Support of the faculty is something the union is looking for from everyone.

However, one student, Dolores Williams, film major, asked if the faculty is looking towards students for support asking will the faculty, in return, come and support the students in their time of need.

Harvey explained that he believes in a true democracy.

It is the responsibility for people to support unions, but that students should support the teachers because they are the ones who are challenging students and in order to be smart, one has to be challenged.

Nguyen also attempted to answer the question by saying that sometimes it is appropriate to make the assessment that maybe faculty have had the students' back all along and now it is the students turn to stand up for them.

"There are faculty members here who have made sacrifices in terms of money and compensation because they like the students here," Nguyen said.

"They are loyal to the institution, so many of the faculty have had (students') back the whole time, so now its time for students to join them," he added.

The original article may be found at: Talon Marks.

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