November greetings, colleagues.

This update covers information on EC representatives, promotion workshops, visiting adjunct offices, tuition reimbursement, reminders and important upcoming dates.

Executive Council (EC) representatives

You should have an EC representative on the FA Executive Council. Your representative attends the monthly EC meeting and reports back to you with an unofficial summary. When you have questions or concerns about the summary or the union, email your representative. Your representative will then communicate with the FA officers and report your issues at the EC meeting. Unfortunately, some areas have vacancies. If your area does not have a representative, FA Secretary Cynthia Eaton or I will email you the meeting summaries, and you can contact me directly with any questions.

Here is the list of adjunct EC representatives:

• PAs & Specialists in Skills Centers — Kailyn Giaccone
• PAs & Specialists in Instructional Labs — Cathy Bondi
• PAs & Specialists in Programmatic Areas — vacant
• Math — vacant
• English — David Price
• Humanities — Dean Karahalis
• Social Sciences — Renee McClean
• Sciences — Mary Griffin
• Foreign Languages, ESL, ASL, Reading, Library — vacant
• Business, Accounting, Legal Studies, Communication Studies, Telecom, Criminal Justice — Brian DeMasi
• Nursing — vacant
• Health Science, Physical Education — Jen Champagne
• Guild — Stephen Clark
• Counseling, Education, Freshman & College Seminar, and Professional Disciplines* — vacant
  
  * Professional disciplines are those that offer A.A.S. degrees or are more vocationally focused including Engineering, Automotive, Drafting, HVAC, Electrical Technology, Culinary, Interior Design, Fire Science

If you are interested in serving as a representative of your area, please contact Cynthia Eaton.

Promotion workshops

The FA held two adjunct promotion workshops on September 16 and 19. We presented the promotion cycle, eligibility requirements, the formal application, observation forms, strategies for successful observations, the waiver form and website information. You can find much of this information in the adjunct promotion section on the FA website.

Each workshop concluded with Q&A session. We also offered to review applications for members and serve as their FA peer during the promotion observation. The observation forms for promotion are due on November 24. We thank Donna Krompinger from the Office of Faculty & Professional Advancement/Adjunct Services for joining the Zoom meeting and addressing questions from the attendees.

Visiting adjunct offices

This semester, I am visiting the adjunct offices—see list in the September WORD—to assess your workspace, organize the desk and shelves and provide FA swag. I have replaced outdated texts with current editions, organized desk supplies and decorated walls with the FA calendar and artwork in some offices. I am collaborating with the administration to improve several of the workspaces. Please contact me with suggestions to improve your office space. I value your ideas and will do my best to meet your requests.

Tuition reimbursement for SCCC courses

The FA is proud to have negotiated tuition reimbursement for our members. According to our contract:

A part-time faculty member who has served more than two (2) semesters may be admitted under a tuition reimbursement plan to any two (2) courses offered in the College per semester, provided the faculty member secures prior approval from the Executive Dean/Campus CEO and successfully completes the course. Tuition and related fees for the employee only for such courses shall be paid by the College. The spouse and dependent children of part-time faculty member who has been employed at the College eight (8) out of the last twelve (12) semesters may be admitted to courses offered by the College under a tuition reimbursement plan. (Only Fall and Spring semesters shall be considered in the "twelve (12) semester" time frame for part-time faculty eligibility although summer assignments shall count toward calculating the eight (8) semesters needed by a part-time faculty member to be eligible under this provision.) adjuncts are entitled to a maximum of eighteen (18) credits per year. This reimbursement is subject to registration/enrollment requirements and successful completion of the course. Tuition for such courses shall be paid by the College.

Tuition reimbursement forms must be completed and approved before the first day of class. We encourage you take advantage of this valuable benefit. Whether you’re seeking reimbursement for yourself or for a spouse/domestic partner or dependent, be sure to follow the college procedure.

After the NORA deadline reminders

NORA was due on October 29. Once NORA forms are submitted, adjunct faculty must contact their chair or supervisor immediately in writing if their availability changes from what they listed on their NORA. While chairs and supervisors might be able to accommodate changes, the college is under no formal obligation to do so.

Adjuncts seeking both teaching and PA assignments should communicate their preferences in writing to their chair or area supervisor. Tell your supervisor, for example, that you want a PA assignment if you don’t get a teaching assignment.

If you did not submit the NORA, contact Michele Fitzpatrick to be added to the late list. Also, contact your chair to let them know that you are available and have been placed on the late list. Do note that the odds of receiving an assignment are low if you have missed the deadline.

Upcoming important dates

Below are important dates from the FA wall calendar to help you organize your semester.

• Nov. 24 — Adjunct assignments posted for winter/spring 2026
• Nov. 24 — Adjunct observations due for promotions and new hires
• Dec. 1 — Adjunct accept/decline open for winter/spring 2026
• Dec. 12 — Adjunct accept/decline due for winter/spring 2026
• Dec. 19 — Last day of classes for fall 2026

Don’t hesitate to contact me at kimn@fascc.org if you have questions regarding the above or other union-related issues. I am happy to arrange an in-person, Zoom or phone call meeting to listen to your concerns.

May November treat you well.

Best,

Kim