FLRG (Faculty Load Review Group) Update #2

The following meeting summary was written and submitted by Chief Talent Officer Susan Hall, at the request of FLRG tri-chairs Ken Alfers, Zarina Blankenbaker, and Matt Hinckley:

Summary:

The second meeting of the Faculty Load Review Group was held on Wednesday, October 12, with an 80% attendance.  There was a good bit of concern for making progress within the timeframes required, and the meeting schedule for the remainder of the semester was adopted as follows:

1.   Monday, November 7, 2 PM  Meeting #3 (1601 South Lamar/Rm 325)

2.   Monday, November 21, 2 PM Meeting #4 (1601 South Lamar/Rm 325)

3.   Friday, December 2, 3 PM Meeting #5 (1601 South Lamar/Rm 325)

4.   Friday, December 9, 11 AM to 1 PM (including lunch – location TBA)

 Work Group reports were presented:

1.   Alpha group charged with the discussion of a contact hour based load calculation model has their scheduled first meeting on October 28.  Added group members include: Dan Dao (RLC), Kellie Sexton (NLC), Melinda Imthurn (EFC), Lupita Navarro (CVC), and Anna Dye (MVC).  In order to facilitate faculty association input, Matt Hinckley will ensure that all faculty locations are given opportunities for input through the appointment of at least one faculty member on each work group (Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie).  A question about representation from Advisory Boards was posed.

2.   Bravo group, looking at modality and class sizes, have added group members including:  Victor Soto (MVC), Shazia Ali (EFC), Don Martin (ELC), Gerardo Vega (CVC), and Charles Cadenhead (BC).  The discussion of class size and related recommendations was identified as needing some additional formal input from discipline committees, and it was agreed that this topic would not be part of the initial January executive summary from the Faculty Load Review Group.

 

3.   Charlie group, responsible for a load management focus (monitoring, training & technology) are still in the process of expanding membership, and have added Maria Boccalandro (CVC).

 Prior to the next meeting of the group, Alpha/Bravo/Charlie groups will begin to formalize review/response to key questions as assigned.  See the attached – and updated – list ofguiding questions and their assignment to specific workgroups.

 A general discussion of the use of surveys to gain input was held.  Alternative methods, including face-to-face, small group meetings, will be considered as feedback on current high usage of surveys is not positive and might skew results.

 Jamie Templeton will formalize a request for a team site on the portal in order to provide a reference point for materials and discussion. 

Susan Hall, who serves as the Chancellor’s Executive Staff sponsor for this group, advised that the complexity of the faculty load review and other compliance considerations, has resulted in a decision to pursue some additional expert consultation.  This work will be used as another information source as decisions are made.  A draft of the proposed scope of work is as follows:  Through a variety of recent reviews, and because of the District’s need to comply with ACA rules, TRS requirements, and FLSA mandates, questions regarding the consistent interpretation and application of DCCCD policy/procedures related to the assignment of teaching load for faculty, adjunct faculty, administrators and staff have risen.  Internal discussion is occurring regarding those interpretations and applications, and recommendations for change from the supervisor/employee perspective are expected in early spring 2017.  The District desires to have a neutral party review the current policy/procedures and results, and provide validation that ACA, TRS and FLSA rules are appropriately managed, and/or make recommendations on how teaching load assignment processes can be improved to achieve that validation and promote consistency.

Faculty Council Reaction:

The Faculty Council believes FLRG is properly focused on prioritizing the study of a faculty load calculation model based on contact hours, as it would rectify the long-standing inequity in the recording of lab hours in calculating full time faculty load. (Please note that the DCCFA Welfare and Benefits committee consistently has identified the "lecture/lab inequity" as one of the largest systemic inequities related to faculty compensation in the DCCCD.) The Faculty Council also believes that each work group – Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie – will best be positioned to perform their work by including a faculty member from each college. As the full roster of members of each of these groups is identified, those names will be published so that other faculty at each college will know to whom they should provide additional input and/or direct questions. With four members of the DCCFA Faculty Council on FLRG, faculty will have significant direct and representational input on the future direction of this important work.

NOTE: Input from faculty and other instructional leaders for the BRAVO sub-group is being solicited via this linked online feedback form, which also is being send to faculty and instructional leaders via email.