Resources And Benefits Available To Community College Faculty

Community college faculty play a critical role in higher education, providing essential instruction and support to students across various disciplines. Despite their importance, these educators often face challenges related to compensation, workloads, and resources. This article examines the various benefits, resources, and support systems available to community college faculty across the United States, based on information from official sources and institutional programs.

Compensation and Working Conditions

Community college faculty compensation has become a significant concern in higher education. According to data from the Massachusetts Community College Council (MCCC), faculty in the state are paid, on average, $34,000 less than the living wage. This wage gap has contributed to chronic understaffing issues, with job openings remaining vacant for months or sometimes years because institutions cannot recruit qualified candidates.

The reliance on part-time and adjunct faculty has become a common practice to address staffing shortages. These educators often travel between multiple campuses to teach and typically do not have access to benefits or job security. This staffing model not only affects faculty but also limits students' access to academic advisers, as noted by MCCC Vice President Joe Nardoni.

In response to these challenges, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education has established the Higher Education Quality and Affordability Commission to assess what public campuses need to support faculty recruitment, retention, and affordable access. The department is also in contract negotiations with the MCCC, though budget constraints limit what can be requested.

The MCCC has launched a billboard campaign with the message "Fulfill the promise of free college; fair pay for community college educators" to highlight these issues. The campaign, funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, features over 30 billboards near campuses and graduation sites across the state.

Professional Development Resources

Professional development opportunities are crucial for community college faculty to enhance their teaching skills and stay current in their fields. The American Political Science Association (APSA) has introduced programming specifically focused on supporting the unique needs of community college faculty. These programs address teaching methodologies, professional growth, community engagement, and research opportunities.

APSA offers the Community College Faculty Award, which recognizes faculty contributions in several areas: - Creation of innovative curriculum - Creative teaching approaches - Promotion of equity in mentorship - Advancement of civic and community engagement - Participation in institutional shared governance - Promotion of research

Additionally, APSA has established the Committee on the Status of Community Colleges in the Profession, which works to create an inclusive culture for community college faculty, increase membership among this group, build relationships across institutions, and recommend relevant programming.

Institutional Support Systems

Community colleges provide various resources to support faculty in their professional roles. Bristol Community College, for example, offers a comprehensive range of benefits and support services:

Benefits Package

Faculty members at Bristol Community College receive numerous benefits, including: - Health insurance - Retirement benefits - Savings plans - Dental care - Vendor discounts through the Massachusetts Teacher's Association

Technology Support

The Center for Instructional Technology Expertise (CITE Lab) assists faculty with developing and improving online courses. This support includes proposing new online courses, enhancing existing ones, and assessing their effectiveness. The CITE Lab provides resources and guidance to ensure faculty can effectively deliver content in digital learning environments.

Experiential Learning Support

For faculty interested in integrating experiential or service learning into their courses, Bristol's Experiential Education Center offers assistance and support. This helps maximize both the instructor's and students' success in implementing these teaching methodologies.

Library Resources

The Library Learning Commons provides faculty with resources to support their teaching and research activities. While specific services are still being developed, this resource center represents the institution's commitment to supporting faculty's informational needs.

Discount Programs and Institutional Partnerships

CollegeBuys, a program operated by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, offers significant benefits to faculty, staff, and students through discounted products and services. This institutional purchasing program provides:

Retail Program Offerings

• Discounts on a wide range of products designed to make teaching easier for faculty and staff
• Resources that provide students with the tools needed for academic success

Institutional Contracts

The program offers discounts to educational institutions and public agencies for: - Industry-leading software - Technology products - High-quality office and classroom furniture - Other educational resources

The impact of CollegeBuys is substantial, having served: - 73 districts - 60,000 students, faculty, and staff through their retail store - 140+ corporate partners - Generated $132 million in cost savings through purchasing agreements in fiscal year 2022-23

These partnerships help community colleges stretch their budgets further while providing necessary resources to faculty and students.

Endowed Faculty Positions

Some community colleges have established endowed faculty professorships to help attract and retain high-quality educators. Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) emphasizes that these positions are crucial for recruiting and retaining top-notch faculty who are committed to the institution's mission and workforce development goals.

According to NOVA, one professor or department chair can touch hundreds of lives through their teaching, mentorship, and academic work. Endowed positions provide funding that can: - Support research activities - Help pay student workers - Create opportunities for collaboration with scholars worldwide - Allow faculty to develop innovative curriculum and teaching methods

These positions help community colleges maintain a competitive edge in preparing students for the workforce, particularly in high-demand fields requiring specialized knowledge and skills.

Advocacy and Support Organizations

Several organizations advocate for community college faculty and provide resources to support their professional needs:

Communities for Our Colleges

This organization organizes campaigns to support community and technical colleges. They have conducted research on student needs, educational challenges, and policy recommendations to improve colleges. Communities for Our Colleges also organizes town hall meetings and events to raise awareness about issues affecting higher education, including faculty compensation and working conditions.

Massachusetts Teachers Association

The MTA provides support to community college faculty through various initiatives, including the grant that funded the billboard campaign mentioned earlier. The association also offers benefits to faculty members through partnerships with educational institutions.

The Importance of Faculty Retention

Research consistently shows that the quality of faculty directly impacts student success. Community colleges must attract and retain qualified faculty who are committed to the institution's mission and addressing workforce needs. However, this has become increasingly challenging due to:

• Competitive job markets
• Budget constraints
• Workload pressures
• Compensation disparities

To address these challenges, some community colleges are working with state legislatures and governors to secure funding for classification studies that research compensation and working conditions. The Massachusetts MCCC, for example, is engaged in such efforts to better understand and address the factors affecting faculty recruitment and retention.

Conclusion

Community college faculty face numerous challenges, including compensation gaps, heavy workloads, and staffing shortages. However, various resources, benefits, and support systems are available to help them succeed in their roles. From professional development opportunities and institutional support services to discount programs and advocacy organizations, these resources play a crucial role in supporting the educators who serve millions of students each year.

As community colleges continue to evolve and adapt to changing educational needs, the importance of supporting faculty through competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, and adequate resources cannot be overstated. The future of community college education depends on the ability to attract and retain qualified, dedicated educators who can provide high-quality instruction and support to students.

Sources

1. Community College Faculty Billboard Campaign
2. APSA Resources for Community College Faculty
3. Bristol Community College Faculty Resources
4. Communities for Our Colleges
5. CollegeBuys Program
6. NOVA Faculty Support