Professional Staff Congress/City University of New York
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PSCcuny

PART-TIME PERSONNEL
October 22, 1984

Dear Colleague:

The start of the new academic year is always an appropriate time to review
our contractual rights. I am, once again, issuing my letter on adjunct
and graduate fellow rights. (Please note that if you are teaching in a
continuing education program, you are covered by a separate contract.)

The purpose of this review is more than theoretical. Your most important
right is the one that allows you to grieve violations of the rights given

to you by the contract and university bylaws and policies. You cannot
effectively exercise that right unless you are familiar with your contractual
terms and conditions of employment. I urge you therefore to study the
following carefully and, whenever you think that a violation has occurred,
contact me as soon as possible. Because of time limitations on the filing
of grievances, prompt action is necessary. Then, in consultation with union
grievance and legal counsel, we can determine if a violation has taken place
and what the most effective course of action may be.

Workload: The most important change in the 1982-84 contract regards
workload. Formerly, adjuncts were permitted to teach two courses. (total
not more than nine hours) or 60 percent of the department average classroom
contact load, whichever is less, at one or mre unit of CUNY. Under the
current contract, teaching apportunity is expanded so that an adjunct may
teach up to two courses (not to exceed nine hours) or 60 percent of the
average department workload, whichever is less, in one branch of CUNY--plus
one additional course (not to exceed six hours) at another branch of CUNY.

It should also be remembered that as hourly employees, adjuncts who
have teaching responsibilities cannot be asked to assume any additional
responsibilities without remmeration at their regular hourly rate. This
includes work at registration, committee assignments and attendance at
meetings of any sort. Adjuncts teaching courses that require conference
hours must be paid for those hours.

Sal Increments: Increments are based upon length of service.
Adjuncts a have taught six semesters over a period of three years
(including summers), have not received an increment during that period
of time and are not at the top of the schedule, are entitled to an

increment as of July 1 following the completion of six semesters.

Pay Dates: As a result of pressure brought by the PSC the
chancellor has agreed to pay adjuncts earlier in each semester. The new

schedule calls for nine pay dates each semester. This improvement
represents a long sought after benefit for CUNY adjuncts. Some colleges
are still not meeting these payroll dates but your union is working
toward 100% compliance.

Observations: The current agreement provides for classroom
observations by a member of the department for the first ten semesters
and thereafter at the request of either the chairperson or the adjunct.
The person being observed must be given 24 hours prior notice.

Evaluations: The annual evaluation is a means of reviewing an
employee's total academic performance and professional progress. The
contract requires evaluations for four semesters. Thereafter, evaluations
may be requested by the chairperson or the adjunct, and if by the adjunct,

they may be held no more frequently than every four semesters.

(over)


Personnel Files: Observations and evaluations make up the bulk of
your "personal” personnel file. Nothing should be placed in it without your
knowledge, signified by signing the document. You have the right to append
to the document any comments you wish to make. To be certain that you are
aware of all the file's contents, examine it periodically.

Reappointment and Non- eappointment: Adjuncts are to be notified of
reappointment or non-reappointment by December 1 or April 1. Such notifica-
tion shall be subject to budgetary conditions, changes in curriculum and
sufficiency of enrollment. Changes in any of these which impact upon your
employment must be commmicated to you as soon as the college is aware of
the situation. A recent arbitration establishes as a ''benchmark"' the first
day that the adjunct teaches for determining the date beyond which the offer
to teach cannot be rescinded.

A Duty: Members of the bargaining unit who "'are required to serve
on a jury” are entitled to be paid their regular salary during such absences
provided that they give to the university any compensation they receive for

jury duty.

Promotions: Adjuncts are entitled to be considered for promotion
on the basis of the same criteria that are applied to full-time staff.

Travel Funds: Adjuncts are eligible for travel allowances for
attendance at professional meetings and conferences on the same basis as
full-time faculty.

Leaves: Adjuncts are entitled to miss one hour per semester for
each hour they teach per week without any loss of pay. The reason for their
absence may be either illness or personal emergency.

I urge you to report to me as soon as possible any violations of the rights
enumerated here--especially in a nonreappointment matter--and to contact me
any time that you have questions regarding your employment at CUNY.

The gains made by adjuncts in past contracts reflect continued efforts by
the union to advance our interests. We are currently negotiating a new
contract and anticipate further gains for adjuncts. If you are not yet a
member of the Professional Staff Congress, I urge you to get an application
form by calling our office. Membership in your union will give you a voice
in setting union policy and will help strengthen the representation of
adjuncts in university-wide affairs.

Sincerely,

Susan B. Prager
Vice President
Part-Time Personnel