Coach’s Corner – The State of the Union

State of Our Union
Spring 2010 January 21

The Budget and Summer School

The budget issues that underscored much our work last semester continue to challenge us. In the latest iteration, at the Planning and Budget meeting Tuesday, the draft strategic enrollment and summer school plans were presented. In summary, with the current enrollment numbers and the recalculation made to our base (from the State) Cuesta has approximately 450 unfunded FTES (enrollments we will not be paid for). The enrollment plan, as presented, would use the $1 million we earned from reaching 10,000 FTES to offset the unfunded expense. In a time when we desperately need new full-time faculty positions, instructional budget dollars, professional development monies, and salary increases relative to the cost of living, CCFT is concerned (to put it mildly) that the College continues to struggle to address the problem of unfunded FTES.  We are attempting to work with campus leaders in an effort to understand the roots of this problem and to address it.

The other cost cutting strategy is to all but eliminate summer school. Although the material presented at Planning and Budget was a draft, I strongly suggest assuming that there will be no summer school classes except those in mandatory programs.
           
For your information:
CFT Marty Hittelman’s Comments on the Budget

Temporary Faculty Bumping Rights

Through the hard work of many folks, the Temporary Faculty Bumping Rights MOU has been signed. The MOU goes into effect for the 2010-2011 academic year. Many thanks to Peet Cocke, Marilyne Cleeves, the Division Chairs and the Council of Representatives for their diligent work on this issue. Our work has raised many questions about the contract, assignment rights and loading. We will continue the dialogue on these issues this semester. I have attached the MOU for your information (click here).

Golden Handshake

Many of you responded to my e-mail request for interest in a possible Golden Handshake.  Thanks for that. The survey has now been distributed and we will follow-up with more information after the data has been collected.

Unfair Labor Charge

As was presented at the last Council of Representatives meeting in December, the Executive Board of CCFT has been presented with an Unfair Labor Charge filed against CCFT with the Public Employment Relations Board. The charge has been brought by a handful of non-members against the union. The union (and our attorneys) feel strongly that the charge is without merit and expect it to be dismissed.  Unfortunately, CCFT will not be able to avoid incurring significant legal fees defending our union.

Ken Hampian and Trust

The topic of trust and the important role it plays in relationships was raised on Opening Day, and an article from Ken Hampian was cited. Ken has several meaningful and spot- on things to say about trust that are quite relevant to Cuesta. Here is the one section that struck me:

Trust must be earned, and we earn it through the way we govern, the way we serve and advocate, the way we educate, the way our private sector, not-for-profits and service clubs contribute and participate and, in particular, in the way we solve problems, especially when we have different views about the best course of action.  

Go Cougars!

Allison Merzon
Health and Physical Education Faculty Member
CCFT President
Cuesta College