THE
HARPER
ADJUNCT ADVOCATE
HARPER COLLEGE ADJUNCT FACULTY ASSOCIATION
NEWSLETTER
 2010, Harper College Adjunct Faculty Association, IEA/NEA
May 2010, No.4, Vol.5
(847) 359-0300
553 N. North Court, Suite 210, Palatine, IL 60067-8124
Photo taken by Larry Price, LIBARTS/Art
SURS/SSA Meeting
How much money will I get when I retire?
Will SURS have money for me when I retire?
When is the best time for me to retire?
Can I retire and then return to teaching at Harper?
Will my Social Security benefits be affected?
Where can I go to get more information?
These are just a few of the questions that were posed by adjuncts at the SURS and Social Security
Administration meeting on May 3. The meeting, jointly sponsored by HCAFA and Harper’s HR Department,
was tailored to the specific needs of adjuncts.
If you were unable to attend the meeting or attended but still have some questions, check notes from the meeting
on the HCAFA website, www.harperadjuncts.org. The notes will serve as a good starting point in helping you
understand your retirement benefits.
All Employee Meeting
For adjuncts there truly are not enough days in the
year! Regrettably, Dr. Ender’s May 3rd All-Campus
meeting had to be scheduled at the same time as the
adjunct SURS/SSA meeting.
HCAFA and HR to the rescue! At the request of
HCAFA, HR arranged to have the All-Employee
meeting videotaped. Adjuncts interested in learning
about updates on the Master Plan, Organizational
Redesign, Achieving the Dream/Student Success
Agenda, and the Strategic Plan should go to the
Harper employee portal and click on the
“President’s Office” tab at the top of the page. On
the right side of that screen there are links to the All
Employee meeting. The Power Point presentation is
available from any computer, but the video must be
accessed from a computer at Harper.
HCAFA
Summer BBQ II:
Summer Fun,
The Return
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
We want YOU to be a part of the union that
you pay dues to.
All of these jobs are small and you would
have a chance to work with an executive
committee member. Join in the fun and
camaraderie!
1. Sushi Soiree Committee:
When: During Orientation Week in August
Tasks: Arrange for refreshments and
entertainment
Time Commitment: 3-4 hours
Number of people: 2-3
2. Assistant Web Coordinator:
When: Monthly
Tasks: Help keep HCAFA site up to date
with information. Can be done from home.
Time Commitment: 1 hour every 2 weeks.
Number of people: 1-2 people
Join us for Food,
fun, and Sun! Bring
the family! We'll
have brats,
burgers, dogs,
veggie burgers, and
all the fixings!
Saturday, July
10th
11AM - 1PM
Picnic area
across from
Avante/J/I, by
the pond
3. Newsletter Writers:
When: 3-4 times a semester
Tasks: Writing 1-2 articles of interest for
each newsletter
Time Commitment: How fast do you write?
Number of people: Anyone who wishes to
be heard is wanted.
4. Newsletter Assemblers:
When: 3-4 times a semester
Tasks: Labeling and bringing to the College
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours each time
Number of people: 2-3 – The more people,
the less time.
5. Spring Tea:
When: Usually in April
Tasks: Help plan, arrange for refreshments,
notify adjuncts
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours
Number of people: 2-3
6.
Observers at Harper Board Meetings
When: Wednesday evenings once a month
Tasks: Take notes
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours each time
Number of people: 2-3
Don’t like those jobs? Others are available!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND
FOR TEACHING ADJUNCTS
Almost $19,000 Available
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
Never been to an HCAFA Executive Committee
meeting? Now’s your chance! It’s an opportunity
to get connected, make friends, become familiar
with the inner workings of Harper College, and help
your adjunct union.
We know you’re busy. HCAFA is tailored to your
schedule; you can do as much or as little as you
want.
We guarantee you’ll always leave union meetings
stimulated and well fed.
Need directions? Call Amy or Mary Ellen at IEA
(847 359-0300).
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.
GRIEVANCE UPDATE
Class Assignment Arbitration set for June 2010.
Have you applied for professional development
money? Have you gotten approval for your
purchase or activity?
If so, make sure to pay for the purchase or
activity and then apply for reimbursement by
June 10!
HIGHLIGHTING ADJUNCT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Congratulations to HCAFA charter member Donna
Glade-Tau, who in addition to being an adjunct for
21 years is now the ESL and International Student
Advisor. (ProTech is lucky to have her as a
member.)
Donna says that she hopes to be able to wear two
hats and continue as an adjunct as well.
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.
Have a great
summer!
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:
hcafaaels1@gmail.com
Gary Wilson
hcafams1@gmail.com
hcafaaels2@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: