Welcome adjunct faculty members! You can visit this website for the most updated information on faculty issues.

For instance, did you know that as adjunct faculty, we make-up more than two-thirds of the faculty members here at SWC? However, we only comprise about 50% of the SCEA membership. I think many of us may overlook the need to enroll, as union fees are deducted from our paychecks monthly; nevertheless, we are not automatically a member. To become a member is as simple as filling out an enrollment form, and will cost you no extra dues than you are currently paying.

Some of the many benefits of membership include: full access to a $1,000,000.00 Educator’s Employment Liability insurance, CTA Disaster Relief Fund and a Death and Dismemberment plan as well as eligibility to special Insurance, Banking, Travel, Entertainment and other discounts. As a member, you also have the privilege to vote on ratifying the SCEA contract.

Another advantage SCEA offers its part-time faculty that ensures strong union representation, is adjunct reps by school at our bi-monthly Rep Council meetings. We will begin holding elections before the beginning of the fall 2010 semester for the 2010/2011 school year. Any adjunct faculty member who is also a member of SCEA may request to have their name be placed on the ballot. The meetings occur every 2nd and fourth Thursday from 11-11:50 am. At these meetings reps vote on important union business that affects all faculty members making part-time participation vital. Once elected, adjuncts who serve as SCEA council reps will be compensated for the meetings they attend.

Other advantages that you should be aware of, are those benefits for which SCEA has negotiated on behalf of all SWC part-time faculty members. These include: vesting status upon the completion of 6 satisfactory semesters of service to the college, access to Kaiser Health Insurance, one of the highest salary schedules in the county, and STRS retirement credit.

This brings me to my final update. The District recently confirmed that historically, miscalculations had occurred in configuring part-time faculty STRS retirement credit.  SCEA recently met and resolved this issue with the district.  Both parties agreed to make the necessary adjustments to fully credit our service rendered, effective immediately. Rest assured that SCEA is closely monitoring the process. I will keep you posted on any and all updates.

To begin receiving the full benefits of membership today, or for any other request or concern, please contact me at: cstuardo@swccd.edu.

In solidarity,

Carol Stuardo
SCEA Part-time Faculty Rep