HB 1949 - DIGEST

     Declares that a board of trustees may use part-time faculty only if:  (1) Qualified full-time faculty cannot be found due to a shortage of qualified applicants in the field;

     (2) the experience of a faculty member who is employed full-time in another field is relevant to his or her teaching credentials;

     (3) the college anticipates needing a part-time faculty member on a temporary basis, one academic year or less; or

     (4) it is too late in the year to conduct a national search for a full-time faculty member.

     Requires each board of trustees to create a new annual part-time position called "affiliate faculty."  Twelve months from their original appointment date, part-time faculty are eligible for such positions if they have taught the equivalent of five or more courses, or twenty-three or more credits, within the state system and after a review of their performance by their peers.  Affiliate faculty must receive annual contracts, with annual fringe benefits, including state-paid health and dental insurance, cumulative sick leave, and retirement.  Affiliate faculty must be paid on a pro rata basis of a full-time equivalent salary, fifteen credit hours per quarter being set as the standard full-time teaching load, based upon equivalent credentials and teaching experience.

     Makes appropriations to carry out the purposes of the act.