What is the Santa Monica College Faculty Association?

The SMC Faculty Association advances the general welfare of faculty as the exclusive bargaining representative of all part-time and full-time faculty in matters relating to employment conditions and employer-employee relations and grievances, including but not limited to, wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

When was the Faculty Association formed?

The Faculty Association was formed in 1976, after the legislature passed the Educational Employment Relations Act (EERA), which established collective bargaining for the California community colleges. In 1978, the faculty of the college voted to make the Association the exclusive representative of all college faculty in the arena of collective bargaining.

What is the "contract"?

The contract spells out the salaries, working conditions, and grievance rights for faculty at SMC. The current collective bargaining agreement (also known as the "contract") is in effect from August 21, 2007, to August 23, 2010. A complete copy of the agreement is posted on this website. Paper copies are available upon request to any faculty who wants one.

Is the Faculty Association affiliated?

The Association is an independent association and is not affiliated with any other labor union, although it is a member of the California Community College Independents (CCCI), a network of independent community college faculty associations.

What is agency shop and why is there one at Santa Monica College?

Under the EERA, the Association has the Duty of Fair Representation of all faculty at the college. In 1994, the faculty voted to create an agency shop, which means that all faculty represented by the Association must pay a fair share to support the Association.

Who are members of the Faculty Association and how does one join?

Although faculty pay fees to the Association for representation, faculty are not members of the Association (with voting rights and the right to run for office) until they take the proactive step of joining by filling out a membership form. Faculty can get membership forms and information related to membership status by calling Ext. 4394 or by emailing Janet Watts, Office Manager, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What does the Association publish?

The Association maintains a website and regularly publishes a newsletter for the membership, the Faculty Association Bulletin. Contributions to the newsletter are welcome.

Who is on the Executive Committee?

Please see Officers & Representatives.

Who conducts the negotiations for the Faculty Association?

The Negotiating Council, under the leadership of the Chief Negotiator, has the responsibility of conducting negotiations with the District. A three-member Negotiating Team, led by the Chief Negotiator, meets with District negotiators to reach agreement on a new contract, and reports back to the Council for its advice and consent. The Council, in turn, reports to the membership. All new contracts must be ratified by a vote of the Association membership.

How is the Faculty Association governed?

The Association is governed by two levels of leadership: an Executive Committee and a Representative Assembly. The Executive Committee is made up of the elected officers and a number of committee chairs appointed by the president. These committee chairs communicate to the Executive Committee the interests of their committees (committee volunteers are needed). The Representative Assembly, which meets on alternate Thursdays at 11:15 a.m., is made up of officers elected by the membership at large, appointed committee chairs, and representatives elected by their departments for two-year terms.

Faculty visitors to RA meetings are welcome and are, in fact, encouraged.

What are the duties of the President and the Vice President of the Association?

The President of the Association conducts the day-to-day affairs of the Association and serves as its spokesman. The Vice President serves as President in the President's absence and chairs the Professional Rights and Responsibilities (Grievance) Committee.

Who can run for office in the Faculty Association?

All members have the right to run for any elective office. Association elections are held every spring. The Constitution and Bylaws of the Association are posted on this website. Paper copies are available upon request.

Do part-time faculty have medical benefits?

After working three of the last six semesters at five hours per week or more, part-time faculty may choose from one of the following: single party Kaiser medical, a dental plan, or a vision plan.  The District pays the full cost of the plans.

Do part-time faculty earn sick leave?

Yes.  Article 17.2.8 of the contract states that part-time faculty earn sick leave at the rate of 6 hours for every 100 hours of teaching service.

Do part-time faculty have a retirement plan?

Yes.  Pursuant to federal law, part-time faculty have three choices.  Upon employment, they are automatically entered into a defined contribution plan administered by MetLife.  Part-time faculty have the option of joining STRSDB (State Teachers Retirement System), a defined benefit plan, or STRS Cash Balance.  Part-time faculty cannot simultaneously belong to all three plans.  Please contact MetLife or STRS for plan details.

Do part-time faculty have access to SMC email?

Yes.  When part-time faculty are hired, they are put into the college email system.  More information about the email system is found on SMC's website.

Do part-time faculty have access to voice mail?

Yes.  Simply put in a request to the department secretary.

Do part-time faculty have the right to a parking space on campus?

Purchasing a parking permit gives all faculty a hunting license for a campus parking space.

Do part-time faculty get an office?

That policy varies from department to department.  Check with the department chair.

Are part-time faculty required to hold office hours?

Yes!  Please refer to Article 14 of our contract for details.

What if I have other questions about the Faculty Association?