SP 23-19 - Policy on Academic Senate Non-Tenure Track Faculty Council

Approved By: Christina Smith, Richard Yao
Approve Date: April 30, 2024
Effective Date: Fall 2024
Policy File:
SP 23-19 Policy on Academic Senate Non-Tenure Track Faculty Council

Drafted By: The NTTF Provisional Council (Nancy Deans, Susan Lefevre, Tabitha Swan-Wood, Richard Wasniowski)
Purpose: To create the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Council (NTTC).

Background: The Academic Senate passed resolution SR 22-08, the “Resolution on the Creation of a Non-Tenure Track Faculty Council” in spring of 2023 to create a NTTF Council as a part of the Academic Senate. This resolution was brought to the senate by the NTTF Equity Task Force, as one of the recommendations in the NTTF Equity Task Force Report.

Accountability: The Academic Senate, Senate Executive Committee, Chairs of Senate Standing Committees, and chairs or equivalent of Senate Advisory Committees, NTTF Council

Definition(s):
Non-Tenure Track Faculty (NTTF) - Referring to all Unit 3 faculty not eligible for tenure and who have various titles including lecturer, adjunct, temporary, contingent, and instructor. This term is common across higher education. In the CSU system this also includes non-tenure track librarian and counselor faculty, and most coaches. The CBA defines NTTF as “Temporary Faculty Unit Employee,” both part-time and full-time.

Policy:
This policy authorizes the formation of the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Council (NTTC).

The NTTF Council shall be governed by a Charter approved through a vote of non-tenure track faculty; the revision, updating, replacement, or annulment of this Charter shall be the sole province of non-tenure track faculty. The proposed Charter is attached to this policy as an exhibit (Exhibit 1) for informational purposes only.

The Purpose of a Council within an Academic Senate
Academic Senate Councils exist in other institutions, including within the CSU. Academic Senate Councils perform actions within senate such as policy creation and review. In contrast to Standing Committees, Academic Senate Councils also perform outward facing collaborative work with non-senate campus stakeholders (i.e., Deans, the Provost, the President, Staff Council, Student Government). To fill these twin roles effectively, Academic Senate Councils require the same rights and powers as Senate Standing Committees. It is common practice at other academic institutions to incorporate councils in the above stated method (see Exhibit 2).

The Purpose of the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Council
The purpose of a Non-Tenure Track Faculty Council as part of the Academic Senate is as follows:

To address systemic inequity experienced by non-tenure track faculty, thereby creating equity for all Channel Islands (Cl) faculty;
To identify institutional structures, processes, policies, and practices that allow such inequity to exist;
To work collaboratively within the Academic Senate and with administration to enact policies and/or procedures to address such inequity;
To sponsor policy and/or work with other senate committees to review policy with the purpose of protecting and enhancing NTTF rights and welfare;
For policies solely affecting NTTF, the NTTF shall be offered the opportunity to sponsor said policy
To develop and implement plans and actions to support non-tenure track faculty on issues including but not limited to budget/resource allocation, shared governance, advocacy, and campus climate;
To work inclusively across campus groups and other institutional entities;
To help NTTF navigate institutional structures;
To advocate for positive career pathways within the non-tenure track that acknowledge, celebrate, and reward long-term service to the university through titles, leadership opportunities, and increased compensation
To create a positive cultural shift that increases inclusivity, equality, belonging, and value for NTTF at CSUCI.

In order for the NTTF Council to meet the aforementioned purpose, it must be integrated within the Academic Senate structure. Such integration requires changes to the Academic Senate Bylaws. With passage of this policy, the Academic Senate directs the Appointments, Elections, and Bylaws Committee (AEBC) to prepare and present for a vote changes that include the NTTF Council Chairs as voting members of Academic Senate and voting representation on the Academic Senate Executive Committee in addition to the changes listed in Appendix A, below. The AEBC shall determine if additional changes are needed to complete the integration and shall consult with the NTTF Council to agree upon any such changes. The AEBC shall complete this work not later than Week 8 of the Fall 2024 term.

Upon passage of this policy, the NTTF Council shall be established, officer elections shall be held, and all Senate work shall be suspended until changes in the Academic Senate bylaws have been approved. The current Provisional NTTF Council shall remain active until the officer elections are complete. Elections shall be completed by the end of Spring 2024 semester.