Copyright© 1999 by School Services of California, Inc.
Board of Governors Rejects Faculty Plead to Support AB
420
The California Community College Board of Governors (BOG), reviewed its position on AB 420 (Wildman, D-Los Angeles) as a result of recent amendments to the bill. The bill was amended during the final week of the 1999 legislative session to delete provisions pertaining to "pro-rata" compensation for part-time faculty, and removing the requirement that districts publish a uniform salary schedule for all academic employees.
The bill which was approved by the legislature and is currently on the Governor's desk, provides for: a study of part-time faculty employment, including data from comparable states, to be conducted by the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC); expansion of the part-time faculty health insurance program; and, expansion of the part-time faculty office hours program.
Chancellor's Office staff provided the BOG with an analysis of AB 420 in its current form, and recommended that the board remove its opposition to the bill and take no further position. Staff explained that the provisions in the bill pertaining to office hours and health insurance for part-time faculty were programs already supported by the board. However, staff was concerned that the study of part-time employment and compensation appeared to be a commitment to implement the results of the study as opposed to providing the legislature and Governor with a comprehensive research document.
BOG member Patricia G. Siever, supported by faculty organizations, encouraged the board to adopt a support position on AB 420, arguing that since the objectionable provisions had been removed from the bill, the board should support the bill. Contrary to Ms. Siever's advocacy on behalf of the teacher unions, the BOG decided to take a "neutral" position on the bill. A position of support would have meant that the Chancellor's Office staff would have been required to communicate that position to Governor Davis.
Community college part-time faculty advocates immediately condemned the BOG for failing to adopt a support position on AB 420. There is a rumor that they are attempting to generate support among faculty groups to gather signatures to adopt a resolution of "no confidence" for Chancellor Nussbaum and the BOG. There are some part-time faculty advocates who apparently believe that since the Chancellor indicated support for some of the provisions of AB 420, and the board rejected it, the Chancellor has lost control of his board.
Will Governor Davis Sign AB 420 Into Law?
Since the bill has been substantially amended to include the study language supported by the Secretary for Education, Gary Hart, it is likely that the Governor will sign the bill. However, it is not a "slam dunk" since the Department of Finance still opposes the bill. There is a concern that the provisions of the study requirements of the bill may place pressure on the state to fund a bill that would implement "pro-rata" pay. Most certainly, the sponsors of AB 420 will seek to introduce new legislation during the 2000 legislative session that addresses part-time faculty employment and compensation equity issues, which will be used as a place holder until the study is completed and submitted to the Legislature and Governor (July 1, 2000).
The Governor has until October 10th to sign or veto AB 420.
-- Arnold Bray