What is Associate Faculty?
Associate Faculty (AF) is the title for those part-time faculty members in Santa Monica College who have rehire rights.
 
Do all part-time faculty in California have the rehire rights?
No! Unfortunately California Education Code doesn’t give community Colleges’ part-time faculty any rehire right.

So what makes SMC different? 
The hard work of many people over many years. The Associate Faculty provision was originally negotiated in to our contract in 1993 and over years it has been enhanced. There is still room for improvement and our job is not done.

How do I become eligible for Associate Faculty? 
By having an assignment for five consecutive semesters of at least 5 LHE in the same discipline with a satisfactory evaluation.

Do I receive the status of Associate faculty once I become eligible?
Not necessary! No more than 60% of the part-time faculty in a discipline can have Associate Faculty status.
 
Can I be awarded the AF status in the middle of the academic year?
No! The Associate Faculty status always starts in the fall. You will get your award letter in the second half of the spring semester.

What do I get once I receive the status of Associate faculty?
Rehire rights at your “Base Assignment” as long as there is available assignment in your discipline and you are qualified for the available assignments.
 
What is “Base Assignment”?
The total number of assigned teaching or non-teaching hours in your fourth and fifth qualifying semesters.

Can I ask for an assignment less than my base?
Sure!

Does my base assignment ever change?
Yes! If your assigned hours go up for two consecutive academic years or go down for two consecutive academic years.

Once I become Associate Faculty do I keep it forever?
Yes! Unless one of the following happens:
•    You receive an evaluation that is less than satisfactory.
•    You fail to perform the normal and reasonable duties of your assignment or are guilty of misconduct.
•    You decline all of your assignment in the discipline.
•    Your status has not been renewed for two Fall/Spring cycles due to lack of assignments in your discipline.
 
Can I bump a non-associate faculty? 
Yes, if you don’t get your base assignment or your assignment is canceled due to low enrollment. You still have to be qualified for the assignment that the non-associate faculty has in order to bump the non-associate faculty. 

What about seniority?
Seniority is considered only when there are more part-time faculty with associate faculty status in a discipline than there are available assignments in that discipline.

How do we define seniority?
Seniority is based on the date of the first assignment in the department. If there is a break in service for two or more consecutive academic years then the date following the most recent break in service is used for the seniority date.

Can I take some time off and keep my AF status?
Yes, you have the right to request not to receive an assignment for one semester or two consecutive semesters in the department provided that your request is in writing and is received by the department chair at least 60 calendar days before the beginning of the semester. You can make only one request of this kind in any five-year period.

Listen to the Associate Faculty Workshop given in October 2010!