Alert #2: Offered 10% – minus the cost of Office Hours

Dear colleagues,

In its last, best, and final offer, the Cerritos Community College District stipulates that, if part-time faculty want to be paid their full hourly rate for office hours – and, if they want any more than the 8 per semester to which they are now limited – the cost will be deducted from their 2.5% offered increases in 2017 and 2018.

Here’s the rub.  Several years ago, the District transferred $12 million from the general fund to the capital outlay fund.  This was originally identified as “restricted funds” and thus expressly intended for capital projects and unavailable for college operations.  The CCFF disputed this classification, and in mediation, the mediator agreed with CCFF:  these are not restricted funds.  Indeed, District officials have come to characterize these funds as a “savings” account.

Despite CCFF’s repeated requests, the District refuses to return the $12 million to the general fund.  The $12 million continues to reside in capital outlay, and so does the interest it earns by investing in the LA County Pooled Investment Funds.  The rate of return on this investment is 0.72% per year.  Just the interest on the $12 million for one year would pay for 1,270 part-time office hours each year.

$12 million * 0.72% = $86,400/year

$86,400 divided by $68 average part-time cost/hour equals 1,270 hours

If the District is truly interested in student success, why not fully support part-time office hours? The “L” of iFALCON stands for “Link Up—Successful students link up with the academic community. They get involved. They get to know their professors…”  Office hours provide just that, a chance for students to receive one-on-one attention from their instructor.

The District wants part-time faculty to pay for expanding opportunities for students “to get to know their professors.”  Again, the District is not offering an increase in salary.  It is offering a faculty supply and services budget.

Meet with your CCFF Negotiating team for your Q&A

Tuesday, February 9, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., in the Gym Meeting Room

Tuesday, February 16, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm in room HS 102

Board Meeting Rally

Wednesday, February 17, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Sincerely,