CampusGuides: Chaparral 2019-2020: 28.2 Adjunct Junction

Adjunct Junction

by Brian Reff
2nd Vice President, Glendale College Guild

This month’s topic is “Fear”.

When I was first informed of this, the first thing that came to my mind was the following quote which was delivered by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933:

“The only thing that we have to fear is fear itself.”

This is the definition which I feel best describes the current conditions at Glendale College.

We are still dealing with the $10 Million Accounting Debacle. This weighs heavily on everyone I speak with. I would just like to mention two names that we should all bear in mind: Compton College and City College of San Francisco. For those of you that don’t recall or are unfamiliar with this reference, both community colleges had problems with their accreditation due to financial irregularities. We could be next!

Other fears that have been expressed to me by people on campus:

Are we going to get a pay raise that is equal to or greater than inflation in the Greater Los Angeles Area?
Will my raise be greater than the increase in my rent?
When do you think we will get a raise?

Adjunct Job Losses are another key fear I hear about on campus. Adjuncts talk to me about their actual loss of classes and their fear of greater losses. They are worried about their financial wellbeing as a result of the loss of classes. They are worried about their retirements and about having to find a new career! This loss of classes is a direct result of low enrollment, which also creates anxiety across campus. I frequently get questions related to enrollment and how we can deal with this issue. Questions I am asked include: “What is the college doing to increase enrollment or at the minimum to stop or slow declining enrollment?” and “Does the college have a coherent marketing plan with quantifiable goals and results?”

My answer to them is, I do not know! If there is one, perhaps campus leadership should be out there promoting it! But it is clear that the way to address fears about adjunct job losses is to address the issue of enrollment.

On a much less bleak or fear-filled note, I have a few positive things to report.

We had three great campus equity week programs:

On Monday, October 21, we had a great presentation by Paul Vera, the Guild Grievance Officer, and Neil Carthew, from the GCC Campus Police, on GCC Administrative Regulations on Harassment and Discrimination.
On Tuesday, October 22, we had the LA Regional Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry on campus. This was an amazing event! A special thanks to Dr. Viar for being one of the hardworking volunteers at this event.
On Wednesday, October 23, Arjuna Singh, from Calstrs, did an outstanding retirement presentation entitled, My Retirement Decisions.

Upcoming events:

On Tuesday, October 29, our editor, Joanna Parypinski, will be presenting a reading from her latest novel, Dark Carnival, in SV 280, from 12:20 – 1:30 p.m. Please plan on coming for this outstanding event.
On Friday, November 15, the Guild will be sponsoring a Fall Family Get Together! Please watch for further announcements!
On Wednesday, November 27, the LA Regional Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry is due back on campus for a second event. Please plan on volunteering for this event.

Have a great Halloween!