HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2815

BYRepresentatives Spanel, Jacobsen, R. King, Miller, Wood, Van Luven, Sayan, Fraser, P. King, Winsley, Nelson, Morris, Valle, Brekke and Rector

Stopping the conversion of full-time community college faculty positions to part-time positions.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Van Luven, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bennett, Doty, Fraser, Heavey, Jesernig, Miller and Rector.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION FEBRUARY 1, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Part-time faculty comprise about 40 percent of the full-time equivalent (FTE) faculty in the community college system.  These faculty members can not receive tenure unless they were once full-time tenured faculty.  They can be included within faculty bargaining units.  According to a 1988 report by the Washington Federation of Teachers, the system-wide average salary for a part-time FTE faculty is 51.57 percent of a full-time FTE.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature places the highest priority on improving instructional quality in the community colleges.  The Legislature recognizes that increasing the number of full-time faculty in the system will help to improve instructional quality.  The Legislature also recognizes that part-time faculty provide flexibility and specialized expertise needed by community colleges.  The Legislature intends that part-time faculty supplement, not replace full-time faculty.  The Legislature also intends that part-time faculty not be hired as a source of inexpensive labor.  In order to enhance instructional quality and provide more equitable treatment for part-time faculty, the Legislature intends to reduce the number of part-time faculty and increase the number of full-time faculty positions in the community college system.

By June 1, 1995, at least 75 percent of all full-time equivalent faculty in the community college system will be full-time faculty.  Up to 25 percent of the full-time equivalent faculty may be part-time faculty.

This ratio will be achieved in a phased-in manner.  In addition, these requirements will not be used to discourage job sharing of full-time positions.

If the Legislature does not provide funding to begin phasing in an increase in the number of full- time faculty by June 30, 1991, the requirement to increase the percentage of full-time equivalent faculty to 75 percent is null and void.  If funding to begin achieving the ratio is provided, the requirements shall take effect on July 1, 1991.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 25, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Greg Alarid, Washington Federation of Teachers; Jeff Johnson, Washington State Labor Council; Lee Witter, Washington Education Association; Nancy Moore, Edmonds Community College; Frank Edge, South Puget Sound Community College; Matt Dentino, Washington Association of Community College Students; and Ron Crossland, State Board for Community College Education.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Part-time faculty provide a valuable service to the community college system, but their high number and percentage inhibit quality, create management problems for department chairs, and increase the work loads of full-time faculty.  Part- time faculty are often not available for counseling and advising students.  The part-timers do not generally participate in curriculum development, department meetings, or other activities that are designed to improve the educational process.  Some students experience a lack of program continuity because many of their classes are taught by part-time faculty who do not have time to consult with other instructors in the department.  Part-time faculty often do not receive equitable salary or benefits.  Increasing the percentage of full-time faculty is a laudable goal, but achieving this goal will be very expensive.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.