California Part-time Faculty Association 2003 Plenary Report

CPFA 2003 Plenary Report

Webmaster's note: The following appeared on the elchorro-list listserv on June 14, 2003. The report was written by CPFA Council Chair Mary Ellen Goodwin

Hi All,

While a more complete report of the CPFA Plenary proceeding will be forthcoming and now that I have had an opportunity to unwind a bit, I did want to share with you a couple of highlights as well as some of my own personal thoughts of the Sacramento scene.

As you may or may not be aware, there were budget committee hearings taking place all last weekend, so Sally Leiber and several of the legislative staff members who were scheduled to speak had to cancel; while this was unfortunate for the Plenary, it was somehow reassuring to know that our elected representatives were in Sacramento over the weekend fighting the good fight on our behalf. Prior to the plenary, I had spent a day at the Capitol with Jennifer Baker meeting with many legislative staffers and came away quite impressed with not only their concern for, but their knowledge of the plethora of issues facing part-time faculty. I also came away with a better understanding of the obstacles that community colleges in general during are facing during this budget crises; it is quite evident that we have an uphill battle ahead of us.

The CPFA Executive Council officer elections resulted in a couple of changes. Judy Graves of Butte College was elected to the position of Southern Regional Representative, replacing outgoing representative, Robert Yoshioka. It was also suggested that the Southern region be split into two areas, thus, Andrew Welzer of Santa Monica will serve as the representative of the newly proposed Greater Los Angeles Region. A special Plenary will be held in the fall at which time the CPFA membership will be called upon to vote for the official bifurcation of the Southern Region and the addition of the Executive Council Representative. It is always exciting to welcome new faces and new blood to the advocacy ranks, and it is with great pleasure that we welcome Judy and Andrew to the Executive Council.

Because the situtation of contingent labor in higher education is not only an issue in the California Community Colleges, CPFA plenaries are always of interest to those who advocate for contingent labor in other institutions This year, our Solidarity Guests included Michelle Squitieri, UC-AFT, Steve Wilson and Craig Flanery, CSU-CFA, and Neil Stubbs, Chair of the Non-Regular Faculty Committee of College Institute Educator's Association (CIEA) of British Columbia. Neil and I joined Jonathan Lightman in the Capitol on Sunday to observe the ongoing budget hearings.

One of my favorite moments of the weekend came when I, on behalf of the E.C., had the pleasure to present CPFA webmater Ralph Sutter with a certificate of appreciation. Ralph has devoted many hours to maintaining the CPFA website and managing the elchorro listserve, our two most important advocacy tools. CPFA could not have functioned over the past five years without Ralph, and I am certain that those of you who were unable to join us in Sacramento do join us in thanking Ralph for his ongoing devotion to our cause.

Finally, I would like to thank Megan Elsea for coordinating the catering and Sacramento City College conference site. Megan, we miss you at DeAnza College, but somehow, I know that our loss is Sacramento's gain. Thank you, thank you. thank you for all that you did to make the plenary a success.

In Peace and Unity,

Mary Ellen

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