COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Representative Don Carlson, Chair

BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2984

Requiring prorated compensation and benefits for part-time

 community and technical college employees.

BACKGROUND:  In 1996, the Legislature established a Best Practices Task Force.  The Legislature directed the task force to conduct a best practices audit of compensation packages and conditions of employment for part-time faculty in the community and technical college system.

The Best Practices Task Force found that:  the process for hiring part-time faculty is informal and considers a relatively small number of candidates; part-time faculty have conditional contracts based on their college's needs; many of the colleges do not have a performance evaluation for part-time faculty; the investment in professional development for part-time staff is lower than for full-time staff; support services and office space are minimal; colleges use a variety of methods to communicate with part-time faculty; and only 15 of the colleges provide some form of sick leave.

The report identified 10 best practices.  Boards of trustees for community and technical colleges are encouraged to:

CDevelop a written policy on the employment of part-time faculty.

CWidely publicize notices of vacancies and develop a structured application screening process.

CProvide timely written employment agreements for multiple quarters to part-time faculty.

CProvide periodic evaluation results to part-time faculty and use evaluations in making employment decisions and determining professional development needs.

CProvide professional development that is available to part-time and full-time faculty.

CIdentify part-time faculty needs for office space and equipment and meet those needs within available resources.

CUse a variety of methods to communicate with part-time faculty and provide a way for part-time faculty to communicate to college leadership.

CProvide individual and group recognition for achievements of part-time faculty.

CDevelop a sick leave policy for part-time staff who have a continuing relationship with the college.

CApply the definition of Aacademic freedom@ to part-time and full-time faculty and provide the appropriate grievance process.

SUMMARY:  Part-time faculty shall receive compensation for equal work including prorated compensation for salary, retirement benefits, and health care benefits.  Part-time faculty will receive a prorated salary based on the full-time salary schedule in the employee's college district.  Part-time faculty who work less than fifty percent, will be compensated on a pro rata basis for health care benefits.  The health care benefits will be based on the average premium paid by the state for full-time community and technical college faculty.  Part-time faculty will also be eligible for retirement benefits from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges on a pro rata basis.

HB 2984                                                   Page 2

Prepared for the House Higher Education Committee

by Marilee Scarbrough, Counsel (786-7196)

Office of Program Research

May 12, 2006