Mister Chair, Members of the Board, Superintendent/President Martinez Garcia, and Members of the Leadership Team,
First, let me say what an honor it is to be speaking to you this morning, representing 465 part-time faculty who teach a majority of the sections offered at College of the Desert. Last month I tried to speak to you, but I was unsuccessful. I understand that you could see me on the screen, but due to technical difficulties you could not hear me, which some might say was a blessing.
CODAA is delighted at the news that our college has not just met, but exceeded our enrollment target of 10,200 full time equivalent students (FTES). This achievement reflects an outstanding effort of faculty, staff, and the leadership team, particularly our Deans. All their hard work has brought us to the brink of a new era of strategic growth, and it’s exciting.
I want to give the Board an update on the 100% State Funded Part-Time Faculty Health Insurance Program that is now part of the CODAA bargaining agreement. This program reimburses qualifying adjuncts for their health insurance premiums. Why is it important? Well, a full-time faculty member receives up to about $1700 a month in health benefits on top of their salary, and an equally qualified adjunct teaching the same sections does not receive this health benefit. Therefore, this program of health insurance reimbursement is a step toward equal pay for equal work. It’s a small step. Only 25 out of 465 are participating so far, and we need to look at that. But it is a step forward, and naturally, as any new program gets started, there are growing pains. However, Interim VP Terri Wilson and Interim VP Chip West are working diligently with us to make this program a success. Thank you, Terri, and thank you, Chip.
Speaking of our CBA, CODAA is eager to start reopener negotiations. Following the sunshining of initial proposals, which we hope is happening as soon as possible, we request the District to propose dates to begin negotiations.
We also look forward to the upcoming Leadership Retreat on July 31, that will bring together staff, faculty and leadership to take a look at the goals of the college community for the academic year.
Which brings us to your comments, Val, in your Sunday Reflections, on the importance of human dignity. All of us here are united by a mutual purpose – ensuring the success of our students and safeguarding their dignity. But our commitment needs to go even further. We must respect the dignity not only of every student, but the dignity of every college employee, whether part-time or full-time. At a Flex meeting last year on restoring trust in our college institution, attended by faculty, staff, and leadership -- someone gave us this. I don’t know if you can see it, but it’s a puzzle piece. On it is inscribed, “Thank you for being an essential piece of our team.” We’re all part of the human puzzle, all of us different, all of us equal pieces of the human community, equally essential, equally worthy in our humanity. That’s the foundation of our dignity.
Michael Gladych, M.F.A., M.Div.
President, College of the Desert Adjunct Association