To: MiraCosta College Academic Senate President, Officers, and Members
From: Undersigned MiraCosta College Full-Time Faculty
RE: Associate Faculty Voting for Academic Senate President and Vice President
We, the undersigned, are opposed to the proposed Bylaws change that would give all associate faculty a full vote in President and Vice President elections.
Many of us have had significant associate faculty experiences at various institutions prior to obtaining full-time faculty positions at MiraCosta College. During our time as “freeway flyers,” our campus connections and involvements were typically constrained due to the limited time afforded by our hectic schedules. Now, as full-time tenure track and tenured faculty, we not only teach our full loads of 15+ hours, but we also serve the campus in numerous ways including departmental duties, collegial governance, course leads, department chairs, faculty coordinators, and more.
While we respect and value our associate faculty colleagues, our complex roles and increased campus involvement outside the classroom mean the decisions made by the Academic Senate have a disproportionate effect on us as full-time faculty. To that end, we think it is both unwise and unreasonable to give each associate faculty member a full vote in the election of Academic Senate President and Vice President.
Respectfully submitted,
Updates
December 13, 2016
Seeing the count tick up like this is a total whirlwind honestly because I honestly thought it would just be a small group of us talking to ourselves for a while. Everyone keeps pinging me about these bylaw changes and it really proves that people are actually paying attention to what happens in these meetings which is honestly so refreshing if a bit overwhelming too.
11 Comments
I concur with Francisco Alvarez, Steve Wezniak and the arguments presented separately by Gail Baughman. I think all my colleagues- both full time and associate for contributing to the discussion.
The issue merits further discussion and consultation if we want to get to a less polarizing solution; one that, while recognizing the "institutional citizenship" rights of Associate faculty, does not dilute so extremely the votes/voice of FT faculty. Perhaps a fixed number of votes for Associate faculty equal to the total votes held by FT faculty (or equal to a specific percentage to be agreed upon)?
I believe a weighted voting system would be the most appropriate method of voting for the AF members.
I would echo my colleagues comments 100%. Associate faculty already have a bargaining organization, so they do have a voice commensurate with their overall involvement in the college community. This is a significant issue with complex implications. Senate personalities, personal opinions, and a 1/3 associate faculty representation does not result in a balanced, objective vote that represents the full time faculty voice.
I think is would be okay for assoc fac to have a vote that is proportional to their teaching load, or perhaps something like 1/2 a vote.
I STRONGLY oppose the Bylaws change
Interested in casting a no vote
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
To: MiraCosta College Academic Senate President, Officers, and Members
From: Undersigned MiraCosta College Full-Time Faculty
RE: Associate Faculty Voting for Academic Senate President and Vice President
We, the undersigned, are opposed to the proposed Bylaws change that would give all associate faculty a full vote in President and Vice President elections.
Many of us have had significant associate faculty experiences at various institutions prior to obtaining full-time faculty positions at MiraCosta College. During our time as “freeway flyers,” our campus connections and involvements were typically constrained due to the limited time afforded by our hectic schedules. Now, as full-time tenure track and tenured faculty, we not only teach our full loads of 15+ hours, but we also serve the campus in numerous ways including departmental duties, collegial governance, course leads, department chairs, faculty coordinators, and more.
While we respect and value our associate faculty colleagues, our complex roles and increased campus involvement outside the classroom mean the decisions made by the Academic Senate have a disproportionate effect on us as full-time faculty. To that end, we think it is both unwise and unreasonable to give each associate faculty member a full vote in the election of Academic Senate President and Vice President.
Respectfully submitted,
Updates
December 13, 2016
Seeing the count tick up like this is a total whirlwind honestly because I honestly thought it would just be a small group of us talking to ourselves for a while. Everyone keeps pinging me about these bylaw changes and it really proves that people are actually paying attention to what happens in these meetings which is honestly so refreshing if a bit overwhelming too.
11 Comments
That is, I thank all my colleagues- both full time and associates for contributing to the discussion.
I concur with Francisco Alvarez, Steve Wezniak and the arguments presented separately by Gail Baughman. I think all my colleagues- both full time and associate for contributing to the discussion.
The issue merits further discussion and consultation if we want to get to a less polarizing solution; one that, while recognizing the "institutional citizenship" rights of Associate faculty, does not dilute so extremely the votes/voice of FT faculty. Perhaps a fixed number of votes for Associate faculty equal to the total votes held by FT faculty (or equal to a specific percentage to be agreed upon)?
I believe a weighted voting system would be the most appropriate method of voting for the AF members.
I would echo my colleagues comments 100%. Associate faculty already have a bargaining organization, so they do have a voice commensurate with their overall involvement in the college community. This is a significant issue with complex implications. Senate personalities, personal opinions, and a 1/3 associate faculty representation does not result in a balanced, objective vote that represents the full time faculty voice.
I think is would be okay for assoc fac to have a vote that is proportional to their teaching load, or perhaps something like 1/2 a vote.
I STRONGLY oppose the Bylaws change
Interested in casting a no vote
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
That is, I thank all my colleagues- both full time and associates for contributing to the discussion.