Chaparral 2024-2025: Affordable Changes for the Better with 2nd Vice-President Juli Wolfgram

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes?

The biggest change that was made while I served as 2nd VP for Part Time faculty has been Part Time Faculty Healthcare. Years ago while serving on the CFT Part Time Faculty Committee, committee members were alarmed at how few part time faculty had access to quality affordable healthcare. A task force was formed, and I am proud to say that I still serve on that task force.

The result of the task force and the movement to provide healthcare to community college part time faculty has resulted in ongoing state funding of $200 million dollars toward a reimbursement program allowing part time faculty to enjoy the same healthcare as full time faculty. Thanks to our negotiating team, Glendale was one of the first to provide language in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and we currently have a ballot which would offer qualifying part time faculty access to the same healthcare plans as our full -time colleagues beginning in January! Vote!

One new thing that I am looking forward to as 2nd VP for part time faculty is the ongoing movement across the state and the nation to eliminate the two-tier system in higher education. To protect Academic Freedom in higher education, to achieve equity for our students and faculty, we must achieve equity in the contingent faculty work force. One Faculty is the end goal for the CFT One Faculty/One-Tier Faculty Task Force. We have established some goals and are now beginning to work on strategy. Keep a eye out for upcoming CFT convention workshops and the CFT Part Time Faculty conference in spring 2025!

Nervous about changes? Change is good! Without change, life for our faculty and students will not improve. Humanity will not improve. I look forward to working with all faculty, staff, students, and administration toward improving the working conditions at Glendale Community College!

In unity,
Juli Wolfgram
2nd VP for Part Time Faculty