I begin this update on behalf of the FA thanking all of you for your hard work during the COVID-19 crisis, which drastically has changed the way we will complete our assignments and duties during spring 2020.

Many of you are experiencing the anxiety of teaching, counseling and tutoring online at home; completing your assignments by imbedding yourself in Blackboard courses as technological help for students; and calling students from home. Some of you are dealing with working online at two or more institutions with different instructions from the administration at those colleges, and some of you are homeschooling your children.

Despite all of this, you have found a way, in a short period of time, to complete your assignments. The FA can’t thank you enough and are proud of your efforts.

We are here to help you in this trying time. If you have any questions regarding online teaching or completing your assignments at home, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will help you navigate resources and options. We advise you to keep in contact with your supervisor and keep a detailed journal of the duties you complete at home as evidence of your hard work. Check your email regularly for important information and updates from the FA, your supervisor and the college.

Because of the changes to the summer schedule with summer session 1 now online, be aware that the NORA dates have been revised for adjunct faculty.

• May 1 — Adjunct Faculty Assignments Posted for Summer and Fall
  
  
• May 20 — Adjunct Faculty Accept/Decline Deadline for Summer and Fall

If you do not submit the NORA by the deadline, your name will not appear on the seniority list for that semester. Thus, failing to submit a timely NORA will cause you to not receive an assignment. You may submit the NORA late and request to be put on the late list with adjunct services, but you will go to end of the B list, and therefore probably will not get an assignment.

So, it is crucial to get your NORA in on time to be considered for an assignment in the upcoming semesters.

Here are some strategies to increase your chances of getting assignments in these difficult times:

• Try to maximize the hours you are willing to work when you fill out your NORA. The more flexible your schedule, the more likely you are going to receive an assignment.
  
  
• Consider adding additional campuses when filling out your NORA. Again, the more flexible you are, the better the odds of getting an assignment.
  
  
• Classroom faculty should ask their academic chairs to be certified to teach additional courses. While there may be competition for most of the courses in your department, at times chairs have difficulty finding faculty to teach specific courses.
  
  
• Finally, if you feel like your seniority rights have been violated, contact me at kimn@fascc.org.

In these uncertain times, it is so important to be a member of the FA to ensure representation during disciplinary hearings, voting rights, NYSUT and AFT membership and solidarity with FA peers. Contact Anita at 631-451-4151 to check on your member status or to join.

I end this update wishing you all a healthy and successful second half of spring 2020.

Be well,

Kim

Again, contact me at kimn@fascc.org or 631-451-4151 for any questions you may have or any help you may need!