By Ken Mason

The Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC) held its annual four day (September 21-23) conference on the Queen Mary, in Long Beach. The  delegates, of which SMC had the largest number, attended a series of workshops addressing the theme "Scholarship and Public Policy: Chart (y)our Course."  This was the first FACCC conference in which vendors were invited to display their wares, and it was also the first of its kind to have such a distinguish array of politicians and policy makers as guest speakers and panelists.

Without question the major attraction was the Education Summit, a novel  idea that comprised a panel of selected political figures, educators, community leaders, education lobbyists as well as Chancellor Nussbaum of the California Community Colleges. Larry Toy, former FACCC president and current CEO of the Foundation for California Community Colleges, facilitated the occasion in which panelists addressed the topic "Charting a Course to the 21st Century."
During the discussions Jacqueline Woods,  President Bill Clinton's appointed liaison from the U.S. Department of Education to the community colleges, noted that the multipurpose role of the CC's has created an image problem, hindering visibility and  so muffling our the voiced interests that we can not be heard above the cries of the universities and K-12. Marla Jo Fisher, a journalist for the Orange County Register, suggested that the CC's could overcome this dilemma by doing more in the form of contacting local news media to let the public know what faculty and staff are experiencing.  Tom Nussbaum, Chancellor  of the California Community Colleges, disagreed. He stressed the need for faculty to  forged a stronger "connection [with his office and  district administrators] and unify our common vision …which would enable us to change." The Chancellor argued that the CC's should be funded at a level to create a world class education, adding "we need to solve the problem internally."

Linda Collins, President of the Academic Senate for the California Community  Colleges,  took issue with both views and left the biggest impression upon those in attendance. "Colleges do not lack focus but have a comprehensive mission," she asserted. Collins compared funding and supporting the CC's to that of the B-1 bomber of World War II which she argued was developed  because it had the support of congressional representatives from every congressional district.  In short, each congressional district felt it was in their best interest to support the B-1 because each stood to benefit from its development.  The same, Collins maintains, holds true for the CC's, but  faculty have yet to take advantage of the political possibilities. "The community colleges also exist in every district in California and  [we] must draw upon its political strengths."  FACCC president Carolyn Russell also stressed the need for  faculty involvement beyond their local campus.  Faculty must move beyond the campus like the lobbyists from the k-12 and the universities, and establish connections with political policy makers. Later, during the conference, attendees (including our own Robert Flores) got their chance to bounce their concerns off the heads of the political policy makers such as Assembly member George Runner (R-36th District), Senator Betty Karnette (D-27th District), former Republican assembly member Barbara Alby and assembly member Robert Campbell (D-11th District). And , as a recognition for his hard work in support of the CC's, Scott Wildman (D-Los Angeles) District 43, was honored as "Legislator of the Year" by FACCC. Get involved, was his message to those in attendance.

Among the other workshops held at the conference John McDowell, Ann Clark, and Teri Bernstein of SMC facilitated the "Show Us The Money" workshop on how to find out what is happening with local district's budgets, including where the money is and useful tips about uncovering where money is spent, how money is hidden and what's the connection between dollars and accountability. Discussions focused on budget horror stories, budget mysteries and accountability,  Partnership  for  Excellence, and  of course, the 50% rule. The presenters spoke to standing-room-only crowd and were received with great enthusiasm and a storm of questions.

A very tense and involved discussions broke during the "Going to the Well: Getting Answers" workshop on part-time issues hosted by Margaret Quan and David Hawkins. Most of the discussion centered on the complexity of the CALSTRS benefits package and the arbitrary manner in which districts calculate them. Representatives from CALSTRS were on hand, but it is painfully clear when it come to part-time instructors little is provided in the form of fairness and equity.

Later, at the dinner honoring contributions by faculty across the state our own Lantz Simpson received an award as runnerup for FACCC's part-time faculty of the year.

The theme of the conference stressed political participation at the local and state level.  Lawmakers were clear that they also want to hear from the faculty and not just district administrators when it comes to funding the CC's.  Money, they all emphasized, should be spent on instruction, and administrators are merely a supportive service of the instructional activity! The next FACCC conference will be held in San Jose, in October 2001. Please, if you are interested in attending let us know.  If you are a member of the Faculty Association you are a member of FACCC, and we want your participation.