Decisions about faculty composition will now be made at divisional level, according to Senate Resolution 20-08 (January 27, 2020). This means faculty can theoretically play a strong role in deciding the faculty mix. And it is our responsibility and appropriate role to do so.
20-08 is an exciting advance on previous policy because it allows faculty to weigh in on faculty composition overall — not just TCPL and tenure-line numbers.
But shared governance procedures in most divisions currently severely limit faculty participation in faculty composition decisions.
Faculty in each division can take action to change this. Here’s what to do:
- Find out what plans are underway in your division. Check in with your senator, governance committee members, and dean’s office.
- Create a robust shared governance procedure that enfranchises faculty participation in faculty composition decisions. This may need to happen at a college meeting. (You can call one. See below.)
- Ask for full data on the faculty mix. Data on TT, TCPL, and perhaps VAPs and Instructors will probably be shared with you, but that leaves out a lot of faculty. Be sure to get data on part-time faculty numbers—you may be surprised how many there are.
- Encourage colleagues to come out for the college meeting whenever it is scheduled. It will not be easy to reach quorum so that votes can be taken.
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