Mark Weber

Beginning next year, the District will be making changes in the administration of health benefits for employees. Whether or not you use your health benefits money to buy health insurance, that money will have to be funneled through a so-called Section 125 account. This won't be painless, but it will be close. All faculty will have to meet with an AFLAC representative to set up a Section 125 account. You may ask the AFLAC representative to cut the sales pitch for other AFLAC products and get down to the Section 125 paperwork. You should be out of there in less time than it takes to listen to one of Mark Tomes' voice mail messages.

The District, in consultation with CCFT, will schedule information workshops on the new arrangement and will notify faculty of the times available to meet with AFLAC representatives.

CCFT hired a retirement plan consultant to look into this matter on behalf of the faculty. The consultant reported that the District might be out of compliance with IRS regulations and that the Section 125 changes do indeed need to be made.

It is essential that faculty meet with an AFLAC representative and set up a Section 125 account. Without the account, your health benefits money will be included in your taxable income.

Cuesta College music instructor Jody Kennemer of Cambria recently won the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Robert G. Porter Scholar's Grant. Kennemer is one of only 10 AFT members nationwide to win this grant. She used the $1,000 cash award to attend a national workshop this summer in music theory and technology at the University of Oklahoma.

Kennemer, who teaches music theory and music appreciation and has directed the Cuesta Chamber Music Ensemble, attended a week-long workshop in aural theory pedagogy, which focuses on teaching students music theory through listening activities rather than through written work. Kennemer recently helped develop a computer lab at Cuesta where students use computers to learn ear training and other music skills.

The Robert G. Porter Scholar's Grant is a living memorial for a former AFT secretary-treasurer.

Marilyn Rossa

Even though you haven't heard much from us lately, we've been quite busy on your behalf. We

Let me say a few words about salary. Although the Executive Board supports, in general, the concept of a legally binding formula (and, as reported to us by the Council of Reps, so too do most of the members), we will not agree to a formula that does not address the following concerns:

1. Most of our faculty are still below the statewide median

2. Faculty performance is superior, as evidenced, for example, by Cuesta's high transfer rate

3. Salaries should reflect good economic times because in poor economic times, salaries suffer (Mike Hargett has repeatedly told us this-- in poor economic times)

4. Los Rios, the district whose formula we have used as a model, gave its faculty a 7% raise in 1997-98 and a 5.62% raise for 1998-99.

If CCFT and the district can not reach agreement on a formula soon, we will go back to the table, as usual, and negotiate a pay raise.

We have not been pleased with the overall salary process. As it stands now, CCFT is negotiating for the entire college. Classified staff had a "me-too" COLA clause in their contract; we find this interesting since classified have been praising their interest-based negotiations as the way to go. If that were truly the case, why would they need a "me-too" clause? Management senate also proposed to the Board a "me-too" salary clause; the Board rejected management's proposal The 2.2% off-schedule bonus as well as the additional .5% increase was achieved solely through lengthy (though respectful) one-on-one salary negotiations between the district and CCFT. We say let every unit bargain its own deal and negotiate its own needs; let CCFT's negotiation for faculty salary improvement stand on its own and not be compromised by other groups' wants.

It is our understanding that the Board of Trustees will no longer honor "me-too" clauses. We applaud that decision.

Governor Pete Wilson has signed AB 2804 and related bills to give California Community College and K-12 faculty thousands of dollars in increased retirement benefits each year. CFT has been a leader in the fight for increased benefits for many years.

The improvements will be paid for by redirecting money the state gives annually to the State Teachers' Retirement System.

Delores Sanchez, a lobbyist for the California Federation of Teachers, called the proposal "the most significant benefit improvement for teachers in a quarter of a century."

The $944 million retirement improvement package includes benefit increases for (1) those who retire at age 63 or older and (2) those who retire with at least

30 years of service credit.

For example, a faculty member who retires with a $5,000 per month salary at age 63 and with 30 years of service credit will receive an estimated increase of $600 per month, or $7,200 per year.

The package also (1) allows STRS members who were hired after July 1, 1980 to receive credit for unused sick leave at retirement. Before, only those hired before 1980 could do so; (2) authorizes STRS to create a health benefits program for active and retired members and their beneficiaries; (3) vests the purchasing power of retirement benefits to guarantee that it never drops below 75 percent.

We will keep you informed of future workshops that will help you calculate what this new law may mean to you.

(Not surprisingly, the governor vetoed SS Bill 1848, the part-time faculty pro-rata bill.)

Nancy Culver

In November, you will be asked to vote for two candidates for the Cuesta College Board of Trustees. Candidates must now represent and live in one of the 5 supervisorial districts, but, unlike county supervisors, they are elected at large. Incumbent Marie Kiersch is running unopposed in District 3; three candidates are running for the open seat in District 2. Our COPE and Executive Board have interviewed the candidates. CCFT has declined to endorse any of the three candidates. The following are short statements about and from each candidate.

SAM BLAKESLEE

Sam began his college work as a re-entry student at Cuesta in 1979, and went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. in geology from UC Santa Barbara. In his own words:

"Academic, Research, and Teaching Experience: As a scientist I performed research that resulted in a patent and peer reviewed articles published in numerous professional journals. I worked as the group leader for a team of scientists responsible for teaching others in the use of advanced technology. Writing grant proposals, performing research, and developing curriculum are experiences that enable me to appreciate the unique perspective of those who work in higher education.

"Business Background: After successful completion of both research and management assignments I accepted a job as the strategic planner for a world class research lab. There I was entrusted with a $70 million dollar budget. I was intimately involved in negotiating priorities and stewarding objectives in an environment with competing needs and limited resources. That experience taught me that the process by which a decision is made is nearly as important as the decision itself.

"Community connection: I currently manage Blakeslee and Blakeslee, a county-wide financial planning firm with strong connections to business and non-profit organizations throughout the community. During the last 2 years I’ve served as Chair of the Central Coast Natural History Association, Chair of SLO Leadership VIII, and Treasurer of the SLO Chamber of Com-

GEORGE GOWGANI

George began his college education at Sacramento City College and went on to receive a Ph.D. in biological sciences. He is now a retired professor of crop science at Cal Poly. In his own words: "I owe my educational success to a community college, and I treasure the value of community colleges in our unique higher education system. Most of my 32 year academic career has been spent at Cal Poly. As the Associate Dean, College of Agriculture, I worked with community colleges around the state to help transfer students.

"Eight years ago when Cal Poly terminated the Ag Tech program, I was instrumental in transferring that important program to Cuesta College, and I feel it has been a tremendous success. With the opening of the North County campus, this program will take on added importance.

"The present board is doing a fine job, but if I am elected, I can bring a dimension from my higher education experience that will be very helpful. My 32 years’ experience in dealing with students, faculty, staff and unions, including fund raising, which Cuesta College needs, cannot be matched."

merce. I am convinced Cuesta’s continued success depends upon maintaining strong connections with the community.

"I believe that my background in higher education will help me serve Cuesta The College and its responsibilities to our community. My background in business management will help me serve Cuesta The Organization and its $33 million annual budget. My background as CAROL OELKER

Carol has been employed for 10 years as a counselor at Baywood Elementary School, and is a licensed clinical social worker, specializing in work with the elderly, developmentally disabled, learning disabled, children with families, death/dying issues, and acute and chronic illnesses. In addition to directly working with students, her job includes classroom instruction, supervision of staff and interns, consulting with parents and staff, and being a liaison with other community agencies.

Carol believes that her experience in analysis of service needs, client advocacy and policy formation, as well as having owned a small business, will serve her well on the Cuesta Board.She believes that the high level of excellence on the main campus must be maintained with careful monitoring of the impact of expanding services to the north county campus. She supports a continued emphasis on vocational education and further development of the relationship between Cuesta and private industry to develop a network of apprenticeships, internships and "on the job" training for Cuesta students. She is trained in mediation and "interest based bargaining" and sees developing and maintaining good working relationships between the administration and faculty and staff organizations as a high priority. Carol has been endorsed by Congresswoman Lois Capps and State Senator Jack O’Connell.

someone who grew up with Cuesta

(My dad was Cuesta’s first music instructor) will help me serve Cuesta The Family and its dedicated faculty and staff."

Jim West

As most of you know, Christine Marchant has been our diligent part-time rep to the executive committee and part-time chair for the last few years. This year she’s decided to hand it all over to me, Jim West, and lend her considerable talents to the new part-time faculty organization (see her article below). I will still depend heavily on her, though, for guidance. In fact, I want to encourage all part-time faculty, seasoned and otherwise, to bring your ideas and concerns to my attention. You can reach me at x3984 or through the English Department.

Debbie Brasket

Christine Marchant

In August, a historic event took place on the Central Coast. Leaders of part-time faculty from community colleges across the state gathered in El Chorro Regional Park to discuss the formation of a new statewide organization that would address part-time faculty issues in the California Community College system. This will be the first statewide faculty organization created by and for part-time instructors, who outnumber three to one their full-time colleagues on community college campuses.

The three day meeting, dubbed the "El Chorro Summit," was well attended. Faculty from over thirty community colleges participated in the planning and staging of this event. Steering and media committees were established, and representatives were elected to attend statewide faculty leadership councils. Plans were laid to establish a statewide newspaper and speakers bureau as well as a system for rating community colleges based on comparisons of part-time faculty hiring, training, retention, promotion, working conditions, benefits, and wages.

A second organizational meeting was held in Kern County on Oct 2 and 3 to vote on a constitution and by-laws. Again, enthusiastic part-timers from all over the state attended the meeting to discuss and prepare future events.

A web page has been set up at the following:

http://www.surfari.net/rsutter/el chorro.html.

You can also subscribe to the discussion list on the internet by typing the following:

In the body of the letter, type:

(no signature needed)

CCFT is upgrading to a new laptop computer, and members can benefit!

Bids will start at $200 and continue until October 31, 1998. If you are interested or have any questions, call or email Mark Tomes at ext. 2223 or mtomes@bass.cuesta.cc.ca.us

Editor: Marilyn Rossa