SSCC, faculty react positively to contract ratification
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The Southern State Community College faculty and staff "applaud" the efforts that went into reaching a contract agreement between the college and the faculty's Southern State Education Association.
“This is a mutual win for everyone involved—simply the best possible outcome,” said Kay Ayres, SSCC Board of Trustees chair, said regarding the board's vote Sept. 8 to ratify the contract agreement.
The contract, which previously was agreed to by representatives of the SSEA and Southern State Community College, was ratified by the SSEA on July 23. Following final editing by the SSEA it was then forwarded to the college’s Board of Trustees in early September for approval.
“There were many items included in the recent bargaining. On behalf of the SSEA we are pleased that the contract has been ratified by all involved,” said Tom Stroup, Associate Professor and SSEA president. He further added, “Consistent with the nature of the working relationship during negotiations, faculty are eager to begin the work that lies ahead.”
“I am pleased that these negotiations have resulted in a timely agreement. Both teams worked hard to prepare a contract that was not only fair and equitable but also one that magnifies the institution’s commitment to academic quality,” said Dr. Kevin S. Boys, SSCC president. President Boys continued, “Finalizing this contract prior to students returning to campus on Sept. 20 represents one less distraction in the important work offering high quality education. I applaud both teams for the work they put into this and I am grateful to the board for their recognition of this work.”
Included among the articles opened for negotiation were items relating to semester conversion, distance education, academic quality initiatives, student centeredness, as well as compensation and benefits.
Dr. Ryan McCall, Vice President of Academic Affairs, commented on several of the major issues including the college’s upcoming conversion to a semester calendar system scheduled for 2012 which is the final year of the new agreement. He said, “The old contract was constructed for a quarter-system framework. To avoid complications during the conversion, new language was introduced relevant to future needs.” Working closely with Linda Chamblin, Associate Professor of Mathematics and SSEA bargaining team member as well as others, “We were able to work together through numerous details to make sure the contract was semester ready” said McCall.
In addition to the technical aspects of the language surrounding semester conversion, both teams negotiated with mindfulness toward quality and student centeredness. Dr. McCall added further, “We were able to make some significant advancement in our structure for distance education. Collaboratively, we established some clear standards relevant to the distance learning platform, training expectations, and financial considerations that allow for better planning. Through these efforts we have enhanced the efficiency and competitiveness of Southern State’s distance learning programming.” He further commented, “We are also pleased with the mutual resolve to create a more meaningful model for faculty evaluation.” Faculty and administration will be meeting over the next year to design a faculty evaluation system that emphasizes validation and improvement of effective teaching, professional development, and service to the institution.
James Bland, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, also added in regard to student centeredness, “Through the negotiations both faculty and administration were deliberate in placing student needs in the forefront. While we didn’t significantly change language related to time on campus, advising, and so forth, we all agreed that it would be worthwhile to evaluate our existing systems related to these items and jointly employ strategies that would make life easier for students in terms of advising and accessing faculty.” In the near future, the college will convene a working group of faculty, staff, administration, and students to improve students’ academic experience. Among the items top on the list include expanding use of the college’s web page to connect students with faculty and explore any unmet advising training needs.
“Regarding compensation and benefits, there was unprecedented bargaining between both groups,” commented President Boys. Vice President of Business and Finance, Jim Buck added, “Reaching agreement on sustainable, quality health care was of primary importance.” He further added, “Compensation increases of 3% in addition to the step for each year of the contract, reflects a fair and equitable agreement. The introduction of a high deductible Health Savings Account (HSA) and concessions surrounding the employer/employee contributions to the traditional PPO (80/20% in years two and three of the contract) position the college well for long term sustainability of quality health care.”
The SSEA contract is effective September 1, 2010, through August 31, 2013.
The Southern State Community College faculty and staff "applaud" the efforts that went into reaching a contract agreement between the college and the faculty's Southern State Education Association.
“This is a mutual win for everyone involved—simply the best possible outcome,” said Kay Ayres, SSCC Board of Trustees chair, said regarding the board's vote Sept. 8 to ratify the contract agreement.
The contract, which previously was agreed to by representatives of the SSEA and Southern State Community College, was ratified by the SSEA on July 23. Following final editing by the SSEA it was then forwarded to the college’s Board of Trustees in early September for approval.
“There were many items included in the recent bargaining. On behalf of the SSEA we are pleased that the contract has been ratified by all involved,” said Tom Stroup, Associate Professor and SSEA president. He further added, “Consistent with the nature of the working relationship during negotiations, faculty are eager to begin the work that lies ahead.”
“I am pleased that these negotiations have resulted in a timely agreement. Both teams worked hard to prepare a contract that was not only fair and equitable but also one that magnifies the institution’s commitment to academic quality,” said Dr. Kevin S. Boys, SSCC president. President Boys continued, “Finalizing this contract prior to students returning to campus on Sept. 20 represents one less distraction in the important work offering high quality education. I applaud both teams for the work they put into this and I am grateful to the board for their recognition of this work.”
Included among the articles opened for negotiation were items relating to semester conversion, distance education, academic quality initiatives, student centeredness, as well as compensation and benefits.
Dr. Ryan McCall, Vice President of Academic Affairs, commented on several of the major issues including the college’s upcoming conversion to a semester calendar system scheduled for 2012 which is the final year of the new agreement. He said, “The old contract was constructed for a quarter-system framework. To avoid complications during the conversion, new language was introduced relevant to future needs.” Working closely with Linda Chamblin, Associate Professor of Mathematics and SSEA bargaining team member as well as others, “We were able to work together through numerous details to make sure the contract was semester ready” said McCall.
In addition to the technical aspects of the language surrounding semester conversion, both teams negotiated with mindfulness toward quality and student centeredness. Dr. McCall added further, “We were able to make some significant advancement in our structure for distance education. Collaboratively, we established some clear standards relevant to the distance learning platform, training expectations, and financial considerations that allow for better planning. Through these efforts we have enhanced the efficiency and competitiveness of Southern State’s distance learning programming.” He further commented, “We are also pleased with the mutual resolve to create a more meaningful model for faculty evaluation.” Faculty and administration will be meeting over the next year to design a faculty evaluation system that emphasizes validation and improvement of effective teaching, professional development, and service to the institution.
James Bland, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, also added in regard to student centeredness, “Through the negotiations both faculty and administration were deliberate in placing student needs in the forefront. While we didn’t significantly change language related to time on campus, advising, and so forth, we all agreed that it would be worthwhile to evaluate our existing systems related to these items and jointly employ strategies that would make life easier for students in terms of advising and accessing faculty.” In the near future, the college will convene a working group of faculty, staff, administration, and students to improve students’ academic experience. Among the items top on the list include expanding use of the college’s web page to connect students with faculty and explore any unmet advising training needs.
“Regarding compensation and benefits, there was unprecedented bargaining between both groups,” commented President Boys. Vice President of Business and Finance, Jim Buck added, “Reaching agreement on sustainable, quality health care was of primary importance.” He further added, “Compensation increases of 3% in addition to the step for each year of the contract, reflects a fair and equitable agreement. The introduction of a high deductible Health Savings Account (HSA) and concessions surrounding the employer/employee contributions to the traditional PPO (80/20% in years two and three of the contract) position the college well for long term sustainability of quality health care.”
The SSEA contract is effective September 1, 2010, through August 31, 2013.
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