THE
HARPER
ADJUNCT ADVOCATE
HARPER COLLEGE ADJUNCT FACULTY ASSOCIATION
NEWSLETTER
 2010, Harper College Adjunct Faculty Association, IEA/NEA
April 2010, No.3, Vol.5
(847) 359-0300
553 N. North Court, Suite 210, Palatine, IL 60067-8124
SAVE THE DATE!
SURS and Social Security Administration Presentations
The Harper College Adjunct Faculty Association and the Harper College Human Resources
Department invite all adjuncts to a SURS/SSA presentation geared specifically toward adjunct needs.
This is your chance to learn about your retirement and ask questions about options available to you.
The Harper College Human Resources Department &
The Harper College Adjunct Faculty Association
Invite All Adjunct Faculty
to attend
SURS and Social Security Presentations
May 3, 2010, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM, E108
 3:10 – Doors open. Our program will start on time.
You’re invited to come a few minutes early to be prepared, have a snack, and socialize.
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3:30 –A representative from the Social Security Administration will begin speaking.
4:30 – A SURS representative will begin speaking.
Both presentations will be tailored to the unique needs of adjunct faculty.
Time will be allowed for questions and answers.
If possible, please RSVP to:
Arlene Bublick, HCAFA at abublick@harpercollege.edu or
Angela Bowling, HR at abowling@harpercollege.edu
We hope to see you there!
HCAFA-HARPER RELATIONSHIP TEAM
For more than five months, adjuncts and administrators have been meeting monthly to talk and work
out solutions to problems before they escalate to grievances. All agree that the meetings have been
valuable.
Personal Paid Leave
A perfect case in point concerns adjuncts’ obligations regarding personal paid leave. HCAFA questioned the
wording of some of the statements given in “Expectation Guidelines,” the college’s memo to all adjuncts on
February 10, 2010.
On April 9, Mia Igyarto (Interim Vice President, HR/DOD) and Dr. M. Skold (Vice President Academic
Affairs) sent the following clarification note.
This note is to clarify the expectation in the Absence from Class section of the February 10 th Expectations
Guidelines. In order to best serve our students and be sure that we appropriately utilize substitutes when
necessary, it is critical that you notify your division office if you are going to be absent from your class. The
need for communication with the Dean is even more important when your absence is for more than one class
session. This memo is not and never would be intended to address what the administration and the adjunct
faculty have in good faith negotiated as part of the contract.
Mia (Director of HR)
In addition, Mia Igyarto and Dr. Skold have both confirmed that the explanations given after the 2 memo
statements below correspond to the contract language. Dr. Skold added, “For me, this is about encouraging
people to talk kindly to one another in recognition that relationships (when all is said and done) are all that there
is. After all, it’s about serving our students.” HCAFA wholeheartedly agrees!
The two main issues:
1. Memo Statement: “Should you find it necessary to miss a class session, you are reminded that you must call in and
speak to a person in your division office (not the chair, coordinator or a fellow faculty member.”)
Although it is always helpful to speak to a person, our contract does not require that. It requires
notification to the Dean or designee. Notification can be in written, email, or spoken form.
(Note: The actual contract language is given at the bottom of the page.)
2. Memo Statement: “Any absence of more than one class session needs to be discussed with your division Dean.”
No number of absences requires a discussion. Although it might benefit your students, the
administration, and even you to discuss a prolonged absence with your Dean, there is no specific
requirement for you to do so. And it is recognized that in some situations, it may not be possible to do
so. (Note: The actual contract language is given at the bottom of the page.)
Adjunct Contract Personal Paid Leave (Article 4.5)
Each adjunct faculty member who teaches one or two day(s) per week shall be allowed two (2) non-cumulative work days absence
each semester without loss of pay for personal sick leave or to attend to other personal leave; each adjunct faculty member who
teaches three days per week shall be allowed three (3) non-cumulative work days absence each semester without loss of pay for
personal sick leave or to attend to other personal leave; and each adjunct faculty member who teaches four or more days per week
shall be allowed four (4) non-cumulative days absence each semester without loss of pay for personal sick leave or to attend to other
personal leave. Notification of such absence must be provided to the appropriate Dean or designee at least two (2) hours prior to the
first class meeting for classes which meet before four o’clock pm (4:00 pm) and at least three (3) hours prior to the first class meeting
for classes which meet after four o’clock pm (4:00 pm) that day. Failure to notify according to this procedure, except in a
documented emergency, will result in loss of compensation for that day. Should an adjunct faculty member’s absences exceed the
available paid days of personal leave, the adjunct faculty member’s pay will be adjusted based upon the individual adjunct faculty
member’s contact hour pay rate for classes missed.
(HCAFA-Harper Relationship Team Meeting continues on next page.)
Class Assignment
Adjuncts should refer to the adjunct contract to
understand their rights on class assignment better.
Our agreement states, “The College will make a
reasonable effort to assign an adjunct faculty
member who has not been provided at least a three
credit hour contingent assignment, with an
assignment that will most likely run before
providing a contingent assignment to a non-unit
adjunct faculty member.”
What does this mean?
 If you are a union member, you have the right to
a 3-credit-hour class assignment before a nonunit member does.
 However, full-time faculty members have
priority for initial class selection. (Therefore,
they may take the section or class you want, and
you may be assigned a different class or section.)
 Our contract covers fall and spring semesters,
not summer sessions. Therefore, you may not be
assigned a class in the summer even though you
had been assigned one in the past.
Large Lecture Agreement
The large lecture class agreement is on line on the
Harper website, and the actual Memo of
Understanding will be placed in HR’s file for future
negotiations as HR and HCAFA feel that we have
worked out an equitable solution—Adjuncts will be
paid extra for each large lecture section they teach.
All Employee Meeting
Although it is regrettable that there is a scheduling
conflict with the recently announced All Employee
Meeting and the adjunct SURS/SSA meeting on
May 6, Mia Igyarto (HR) has assured us the college
will do its best to video the Employee Meeting.
What Are My
Weingarten Rights?
If you are ever in a situation that you believe could
lead to any kind of disciplinary action, you have the
right to have a union representative with you. In a
situation like that, to protect yourself, say, “If this
discussion could in any way lead to my being
disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal
working conditions, I respectfully request that my
union representative be present at the meeting.
Without representation, I choose not to answer any
questions.” Under no circumstances should you
lose your cool or walk out of the meeting
FROM THE PREZ
Colleagues, the 2009-2010 year is almost at an end
and from my perspective it has been a success in
many ways.
There is no doubt that the economy, especially in
Illinois, is a mess, and that has threatened educators
and their students all around. However, because we
were not in a bargaining year, it touched us less
than it might have. The upcoming years might tell a
different story. We must remain united and gird
ourselves for negotiations.
On an even brighter side, our grievances have been
way down. This is in part due to monthly meetings
with the College where problems are discussed and
ironed out before escalating into grievance level. It
is also because adjuncts are contacting their
representatives with concerns. Representatives are
there for adjuncts to utilize for just these reasons.
Ask a rep. If a rep doesn’t know an answer, she/he
will find out.
Your HCAFA executive committee meets monthly
to share updated information from around the
campus and from our own adjuncts who attend
conferences in the state and nation. It’s a busy job
and we’re happy to do it.
Have you taken a recent look at the new, but still
building-in-progress, website? Or the HCAFA
Facebook site?
If anyone has any suggestions,
they are totally welcome. The more ideas, the
better. Email me at hcafapresident@gmail.com.
As this year ends, I am looking forward to the fall
(did I just say that). Just as we are concerned about
the success of our students, the College needs to be
concerned about the foundation of its success, the
adjuncts. I think that with a new provost and Dr.
Ender, Harper adjuncts may finally begin to have a
voice in Harper Governance. I am hoping there will
be stipend to go along with the extra duties. That is
my dream for 2010/2011.
Ilona Sala
GRIEVANCE UPDATE
Class Assignment Arbitration set for June 2010.
If you have a problem, don’t wait too long to
tell us about it. If we don’t know about your
problem, we may not be able to meet the
deadlines in our contract to help you.
SPRING TEA WAS OUR CUP OF TEA!
HIGHLIGHTING ADJUNCT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Adjuncts are amazing! Let us know some of your
accomplishments and activities. Email anyone on
our exec committee with information. Here’s what
two adjuncts have shared with us.
7th,
No ordinary tea, our spring tea! On April
HCAFA indulged members with a feast for the
senses. Silver platters were laden with homemade scones,
finger sandwiches, and savouries prepared by our
Darjeeling J.J. Pionke, HCAFA’s own Julia
Child. Selecting the perfect fine tea to accompany the
delicacies added to the pleasure. Stimulating conversation
over steaming cups of tea gave all attending a chance to
relax and enjoy the friendship of fellow adjuncts. Jovialitea,
congenialitea and sociabilitea made our shared afternoon a
treat.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND
FOR TEACHING ADJUNCTS
Almost $19,000 Available
Eligible Expenses: Professional Travel, Workshops,
Books, Tuition & Fees for College Credit Courses
(Courses can be at other colleges), Conferences,
Professional
Journals,
and
Professional
Organization Memberships.
Note: The form is available on the Harper website.
Log on to the Employee Portal.
At the top of the page, put your cursor on “Divisions.”
A drop-down window will open.
Click on “Academic Affairs” in that window.
Look at the left side of the page.
Click on “Adjunct Faculty Documents & Forms.”
Go to the right side of the page and click on
“Adjunct Professional Development Form.”
On the HCAFA website, you will find the form in
addition to the following information:
 Memo of Understanding attached to our contract
 Professional Development Clarification Letter
 October 2009 Harper Adjunct Advocate.
Apply as often as you like!
Your benefit per academic year is up to $320.
Gain preapproval from your Dean before paying.
Apply for reimbursement by June 10.
Krish Revuluri has been at Harper for 10 years and
has been helping the Plum Grove Junior High
School math club since 1990. He enjoys meeting
young intelligent students, committed parents and
dedicated teachers. He prepares the students for the
MATHCOUNTS competition. This year, the Plum
Grove teams advanced to state level after winning
the chapter competition. Some students even
advanced to the national level.
Last year, Krish took the Illinois team to the
national level where the team placed 14th in the
nation. This year, Plum Grove placed second in the
state, and one student will be competing at the
national level.
From 2002 to 2005, Krish coached the Harper
College math team for competition with two-year
colleges. Harper placed well every year he coached
them. Harper placed first in 2005.
How does Krish do it? Why has he been so
successful? He says he works with the students by
creating fun with mathematics. He stresses the
importance of vocabulary and critical-thinking
skills.
Krish speaks three languages—Telugu (his mothertongue), English and Mathematics.
His philosophy is “When you share wealth, you
divide. When you share knowledge, you multiply.”
J.J. Pionke, HCAFA membership chair and Liberal
Arts Division Representative, has just graduated
from the National Education Association’s
Emerging Leaders’ Academy. We’re counting on
J.J.’s training to help HCAFA do great things in the
future. Congratulations J.J.!
If you would like to be featured in the next issue of
the Harper Adjunct Advocate, please contact Julie
Cudden at hcafalibarts2@gmail.com. We hope
you’ll share your accomplishments or those of other
adjuncts.
ADJUNCT LIBRARIANS & COUNSELORS
Bright and early on Tuesday, March 8 a group of
Adjunct Faculty Counselors had a most enjoyable
breakfast gathering. It was the perfect opportunity
to discuss our interests and concerns and, at the
same time, get to know each other better.
HCAFA President Ilona Sala attended our gettogether and helped strengthen our understanding of
our importance to HCAFA despite the fact that we
are few in number. Ilona showed us HCAFA’s new
website. We were happy to be among the first to
view it. We all liked the changes!
Many in the group had questions about the future
changes in Harper’s organization. Some expressed
concern as to how those changes might affect our
future role at the college
We missed our librarian counterparts and hope they
will join us in the future.
We are considering trying to have a meet and greet
lunch for adjunct faculty librarians and counselors.
Joanne Meyerhoff would appreciate finding out
what day works for everyone for the lunch. The
thought is that it would run from 11:30-1:30. You
can reach Joanne at hcafalibcoun1@gmail.com
HCAFA on FACEBOOK
On Facebook? So are we! Look for us under
HCAFA! We are a locked community for our own
protection but any adjunct may join! Dates of
meetings and other announcements are posted on
the Facebook page. We hope to see you there!
Bulletin Board
Make sure to check out the HCAFA bulletin board,
located near the human resources office on the third
floor of building A. To keep you informed of all the
latest HCAFA news, the bulletin board will be
updated monthly. Currently, you can find
information on our upcoming meetings, when the
SURS & Social Security Meeting is, who to contact
if you have any questions, and much more. Would
you like to see something on the board that's not
currently there? Contact Julie Cudden at
hcafalibarts1@gmail.com.
UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION IF
YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO YET
Please send Janice Cutler, HCAFA membership
records chair, the following: your name, division,
department, non-Harper email address, home
address, and phone numbers. Address your letter to
Janice Cutler, MS/Math, and put it in campus mail,
or fill out the contact update option on our website.
HCAFA Welcomes Members
At All Meetings & Events
Executive Committee Meetings
Fri., May 21, 3:30 – 5:30
Fri., June 18, 1:00 – 3:00
Fri., July 16, 1:00 – 3:00
Fri., Aug. 13, 1:00 – 3:00
At the IEA Office,
553 N. North Ct., Palatine
We value your input! Give HCAFA the opportunity to
learn from you & get to know you. You’ll make friends
and help the union gain strength. Our meetings are
motivating and fun. We know how full adjuncts’
schedules are, so we always have great food. Exec
meetings are the place to learn a lot about HCAFA,
Harper, and your fellow adjuncts. Come once and you
may decide to become active. Call Amy or Mary Ellen
at IEA (847 359-0300) for directions.
_________________________
SURS/Social Security Meeting
May 3, 2010
3:30 – 5:30
E108
Doors open at 3:10.
Our program will start on time. Come a few
minutes early to be prepared, have a snack, and
socialize.
________________________
Summer Family BBQ
Sat., July 10, 11:00-1:00
Plum Grove Reservoir
Across circle drive from Avante & building I
End-of-the-Semester Unemployment Filing Party
Saturday, May 15, 1 pm
IEA Chicago Office, 230 W Monroe, #2640, Chicago, IL
RSVP: filing@chicagococal.org by the evening of Wednesday, May 12
(It is necessary to RSVP for building security, food, and material)
Contact: 708-372-5627
Because teaching assignments are contingent on enrollment and other factors, class assignments are not sure
and adjuncts do not have “reasonable assurance” of work until they walk into a classroom filled with students.
Unemployment insurance benefits were designed to ease the financial uncertainty of unemployed persons and
temporarily unemployed persons.
We host these end-of-semester filing gatherings to provide a supportive atmosphere and to help guide applicants
through the process. Because we pay into that system, we should enjoy its benefits. For additional information
on the issue, see Access to Unemployment Insurance Benefits for Contingent Faculty* available at
http://www.chicagococal.org.
This event, supported by COCAL and IEA-NEA, is an ongoing effort to help adjuncts win their rightful
unemployment benefits between semesters.
We hope to see you there! (You will need an ID to present at the security desk.)
* It is highly recommended that you take a look at the book on the COCAL site. It is invaluable, and it is free to
download. Anyone who can’t make it to the meeting should look at the book on-line and follow the suggestions.
Adjunct Training Modules (ATMs)
New Professional Development Opportunities at Harper for All Adjuncts!
We’ve been asked by the Harper administration to encourage adjuncts to take advantage of the College’s
Adjunct Training Modules. They know adjuncts are busy people; these professional development ATMs are
guaranteed to fit all schedules because they can be done at any time!
What are ATMs?
ATMs (adjunct training modules) are a set of nine completely online modules that cover the following topics:
 1: Designing an Effective Syllabus
 6: Assessment & Test Construction
 2: Legal Issues in the Classroom
 7: Effective Communication & Listening
 3: Technology in the Classroom
 8: Portfolio Preparation
 4: Policies and Procedures
 9: Cultural Competence in the Classroom
 5: Student Learning Styles
Why were the ATMs created?
Harper College strives to provide comprehensive orientation and professional development opportunities for
adjunct faculty to prepare them for classroom success. The addition of the ATMs makes training that is
supported by experienced facilitators available on a 24/7 basis from any computer with an Internet connection.
How do I access the ATMs?
The ATM site will appear automatically in your Blackboard course site list. If you do not see this site (typically
named Your Division Name ATM) in your Blackboard course list, please contact your Division Dean or
Associate Dean and ask to be added to the site.
Where can I get help with using the ATMs?
For Blackboard assistance, contact Blackboard Faculty Technical Support at bbtechsupport@harpercollege.edu
or at 847.925.6090. For assistance with content in the ATM modules, please contact your Division Dean or
Associate Dean. A 10-question True/False quiz which you can take repeatedly is provided at the end of each
module to help you focus on how well you understood the information.
2010 IEA RA Report to Membership
For those of you who aren’t aware of what the IEA RA (Illinois Education Association Representative
Assembly) is, I’d like to explain that it is very much like our U.S. Congress, where representatives vote on
various issues concerning by-laws, legislative platforms, budgets, etc. It gives an idea of the workings of our
union and state structure.
Every union has its maximum number of elected representatives that may attend. HCAFA is allowed two
representatives and only two people volunteered to attend this year. At an RA, you have the opportunity to see
first-hand the democratic workings of the IEA, meet the elected officers, meet with other higher education
representatives and caucus with them on issues of importance to higher education. You also have the
opportunity to hear from elected public officials. At this RA; both Governor Quinn and Bill Brady spoke to the
assembly from their perspectives on the state of education funding for our state.
I would like to thank the membership for the opportunity to represent them at this 2010 IEA-RA which was on
March 18-20. This is the second year I have had the privilege to represent you. It does not require that much
time, usually attendance at a budget presentation, a regional meeting and then 2 ½ days at the RA itself, with a
follow-up to the HCAFA executive committee on what occurred. The RA is conducted in Rosemont at the
Hyatt Regency. There are usually 1500 delegates participating from all over the state. Expenses are covered by
the region, so, if anyone is interested in attending in the future, watch for our election notice for delegates,
which is usually in December of each year.
We all know that the state is experiencing massive shortages in public funds and especially in the area of
education and pensions. Both were very hot topics at this year’s RA. Higher Education membership dues were
increased by $4.25 for the school year, 2010-2011. That amount will be split over the 2 semesters. For those in
K-12 schools, the increase was four times that. Some delegates pleaded not to increase the dues, but this part of
the budget passed. (I voted against the increase.) The membership defeated a proposal to hire additional fulltime personnel for the IEA. There will be a massive one-year publicity campaign to try and improve the image
of teachers throughout the state. Many perceive all teachers as making $140K per year with 3 months off in the
summer. We all know that is the farthest thing from the truth. If you have questions please feel to contact me.
Candace McCreary
“A National Survey of Part-Time/Adjunct Faculty”
The Executive Summary in the AFT Higher Education Publication American Academic, V.2 provides readers
with some very interesting statistics about adjuncts.
 “Part-time/adjunct faculty members account for 47% of all faculty, not including graduate employees.
The percentage is even higher in community colleges, with part-time/adjunct faculty representing nearly
70%.”
 “Most part-time/adjunct faculty members are motivated to work primarily by their desire to teach and
have been at their institutions a considerable amount of time.”
 “Part time/adjunct faculty members are about evenly split between two groups, those who prefer parttime teaching (50%) and those who would like to have full-time teaching jobs (47%).”
 “Job satisfaction among part-time/adjunct faculty is fairly high, but there are distinct variations.”
 “There is widespread concern among part-time/adjunct faculty about bread-and-butter conditions.
About 57% of the survey respondents say their salaries are falling short. Just 28% indicate that they
receive health insurance on the job.”
 “A significant percentage of part-time/adjunct faculty members are concerned about job security.”
 “Part-time/faculty members are concerned about the availability of full-time teaching employment.”
We’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on these statistics! Join us at our next executive committee
meeting on Friday, May 21, 3:30 – 5:30, at the IEA office, 553 N. North Court, Palatine.
For more complete information, check the AFT Higher Education Publication American Academic, Vol. 2, Copyright 2010 American
Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO (AFT)
HCAFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OFFICERS
President: Ilona Sala
Vice President/Grievance Chair: Charmian Tashjian
Treasurer: Rob Alexander
Membership Records Chair: Janice Cutler
Secretary: Arlene Bublick
IEA/NEA Uniserv Director: Amy Kunz
Harper Adjunct Advocate Editor: Arlene Bublick
AE/LS:
Rob Alexander
Taimi Wilk
BUS/SS:
Candace McCreary
LIBARTS:
Julie Cudden
J.J. Pionke
Larry Price
hcafapresident@gmail.com
hcafagrievance@gmail.com
hcafatreasurer@ gmail.com
hcafamembership@ gmail.com
hcafasecretary@gmail.com
Amy.Kunz@IEANEA.org (847 359-0300)
hcafasecretary@gmail.com
DIVISION REPRESENTATIVES
MS:
hcafaels1@gmail.com
Gary Wilson
hcafamath1@gmail.com
hcafaels2@gmail.com
LIB/COUN
Joanne Meyerhoff hcafalibcoun1@gmail.com
hcafabuss1@gmail.com
Bob Kaufman
Karin Lacour Rivers
hcafalibarts1@gmail.com
Krista McAdamis
hcafalibarts2@gmail.com
Dwain Thomas
hcafalibarts3@gmail.com
Note: For divisions without reps, we’ll do our best to keep you informed through newsletters. If you find time, please
consider becoming a rep and join us for our monthly meetings. It will be to your advantage and you will love the
friendships
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED TO HCAFA!
Join us on Facebook at HCAFA. Any Harper adjunct may friend us!
Check out our bulletin board on the 3rd floor of building A at the entrance to HR.
Read The Harper Adjunct Advocate.
Contact your division reps or officers.
Visit Our Website, WWW.HARPERADJUNCTS.ORG.
If undeliverable, please return to
Janice Cutler, MS/Math
PLEASE DELIVER TO: