The SMC Faculty Association asks its members to thank Gov. Gray Davis--in writing, rather than by email--for his extraordinary efforts to improve the CCC.   We urge all faculty to write the governor.  Let him hear our unambiguous support; as FACCC has suggested, send a clear signal of support to the governor that he is moving in the right direction.
FACCC has written, "Unless we create the climate of political support, this money can be removed from consideration at any time in the process until the final budget is adopted. And, with the increasing demands of the energy crisis, we will need to ramp up our efforts to help ensure that a substantial augmentation for part-time faculty remains part of the state budget."
Make sure to copy your correspondence to the following five people:

1. Hon. Bob Hertzberg, Speaker California  State Assembly,
State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814

2. Hon. John Burton,
   

[TODAY'S DATE]

Hon. Gray Davis, Governor
State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: State Budget Proposal :  CCC Part-time Faculty Pay Equity and Office Hours

Dear Governor Davis:

As a [full/part-time] faculty member at Santa Monica College, I thank you for your state budget proposal providing $62 million to help close the salary gap between the two-tiers of community college faculty. I also applaud your decision to expand the funding for the existing part-time faculty office hours program, especially since we have just begun to institute paid office hours on our campus.
Of the 46,900 faculty teaching at community colleges in California, nearly 31,000 teach part-time. While the part-time faculty perform the same teaching functions, (we/they) are paid at substantially lower wages, according to a recent CPEC report. This disparity between the full- and part-time faculty wages has created an untenable situation for California community colleges.  The system is based on open admissions and yet cannot offer equal access to educational opportunities to all students because of paying only some instructors to meet with them and to grade their papers. Office hours are an essential part of education.  [Please add your own observations here.]
Your proposals to augment part-time faculty salaries and office hours will begin to redress the current situation's inequities, which are unfair to faculty and students alike. Your willingness to include these proposals in your January budget underscores your commitment to public education. Thank you very much for your support.

Sincerely,

[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR FULL ADDRESS]
Ccs.: