With all the uncertainty swirling around education today due to the pandemic and other concerns, we strongly urge you to stay safe by joining the FA. If any complaint is lodged against you by a student or colleague, you want an experienced union team by your side, every step of the process, that knows the contract, knows college policies and knows your rights. (Rosie the Riveter adapted by Cynthia Eaton)

Welcome, adjunct colleagues, to the fall 2021 semester!

Health & safety

The FA is concerned about the health and safety of all its members, and this fall brings new challenges to faculty completing assignments on campus as students return for on-campus classes and student services. Review Kevin McCoy's article for important safety information to consider if you are on campus this fall. The health and safety section on the FA website also contains up-to-date information for fall under the COVID Q&A Fall 2021 link. I recommend you read the entire page. Here are a few critical points:

• Do not ask students if they are vaccinated or to see their vaccination cards
• Call public safety (631-451-4242) if a student refuses to wear a mask
• Contact Dante and Kevin if you have health & safety concern
• Contact human resources if you have Covid symptoms or if you need accommodations: avphr@sunysuffolk.edu or 631-451-4239.

Adjunct orientation

I attended the new adjunct orientation on August 26 and met with newly hired adjunct faculty. It was a pleasure to speak to these new hires and introduce them to the college and the FA. The surprise speaker at the event was none other than our new president, Ed Bonahue, who warmly welcomed the new adjunct faculty and gave them words of encouragement for the fall semester.

I am happy to report that most of our new colleagues joined our union and now can make use of the benefits of becoming an FA adjunct colleague, including

• Assistance in case assignments violate contract
• Faculty peer during observations and disciplinary hearings
• Resolution of faculty/administration disputes
• Adjunct promotion
• Adjunct professional development fund
• Adjunct tuition reimbursement
• Dependent tuition reimbursement
• Ability to purchase EHMP health insurance
• Access to Benefit Fund for reduced cost dental and free legal services
• NYS Teacher Retirement System/tax-deferred annuities (e.g., TIAA/CREF)
• NYSUT/AFT benefits.

Let’s all welcome our new adjunct colleagues to the college and, more importantly, to the FA.

Negotiations survey

The adjunct task force read through the raw data collected from the spring adjunct survey. We are currently creating a list of questions for NYSUT for cross-referencing and disaggregating data to cull more information on the needs of our adjunct colleagues. The committee will continue to meet and create a final report on the survey data.

Professional development fund

Effective September 1, 2021, the college will increase the annual funding of the Adjunct Faculty Development Fund for conference attendance to $50,000, of which no more than $25,000 will be awarded in the fall semester. Submit your application right away—before this first-come, first-served funding runs out—to the adjunct services office.

FA website: fascc.org

The FA website contains invaluable information regarding membership, benefits, assignments, pay, promotion and professional development for adjuncts. From the menu, find the adjuncts heading and click the drop-down menu for the links. The FA calendar also is posted on our homepage. Faculty completing assignments on campus will receive a copy in their area; faculty working remotely can use the website calendar or visit the FA office to get one. We will not be mailing out calendars this semester.

Please contact me (631-451-4151 or kimn@fascc.org) if you have questions regarding union related issues. I wish you all a great semester.