 |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
Guest Column
Faculty team welcomes student involvement
Dear students,
The 160 faculty members of the Mt. Hood Community College Faculty Association are deeply committed to our students. We know that is our privilege and responsibility to ensure that students receive the best education possible. In our classrooms every day, we look to create an environment that fosters learning and provides a voice for students. Our dedication to our work and to our students is what makes our current contract negotiation so important. Our working conditions are your learning conditions.
We appreciate and welcome concerns from Mt. Hood students. We entirely agree that students have every right to information and to express your own opinions regarding bargaining. We have reached out to Mt. Hood's student leadership and have thoroughly responded to your ASG president's questions.
Many faculty members have reported that students are asking questions during class time. You have paid for instruction during class time, and faculty will respect your right to that education. However, we will be happy to answer your questions outside of class time. In the near future, faculty will provide additional information to students in organized ways like ask-me tables or informational pickets. We also offer information on bargaining on www.be-informed.net and the Facebook group page, "MHCC Faculty Association – Our Students Deserve the Best." Finally, please remember that part-time faculty is not part of the full-time bargaining process and will be unable to inform you about full-time bargaining.
We would like to clarify a misunderstanding regarding the faculty's current position in bargaining, where it has been stated that we are asking for a raise. In fact, we made an offer in mediation representing a $900,000 give-back compared to status quo. That offer included paying 40 percent more in medical premiums and freezing the salary schedule for a year. For 60 percent of the faculty, this proposal represents an actual decrease in take-home pay. We recognize that times are tough all around and we are coming to the table and offering to be part of the solution.
It was our hope that we could successfully complete this bargaining cycle, as we have many times in the past, without adversely impacting the students or community. Unfortunately, the College Board's position represents an average loss of $10,000 per year for each faculty member. This loss is beyond what an individual faculty member can absorb and remain teaching.
The Mt. Hood faculty remain invested in making improvements through the contract that are good for the college, students, and faculty. We want to make sure that every student, in every class, has access to a qualified, effective faculty member. The faculty is also asking for a voice when the Board considers instructional issues. It just makes good sense that the Board would want our input on such issues, yet they are reluctant to give faculty a voice in these important discussions.
We invite your persistence in finding answers to your questions. We applaud your investment in your education and your school. We appreciate your sincerity and willingness to participate as an active member of this community.
Sincerely,
Sara Williams
MHCC Faculty Association Bargaining Chair
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.