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May 2001, Volume 11, Issue 6 - Faculty Opinion: A Forum for All Points of View |
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By Hari Vishwanadha
Suppose the chief of the local fire station decided that the budget allowed for only three out of twenty firefighters to go for ongoing physical fitness training--every six years. Suppose the resulting dollar savings seduced other local stations and soon fitness training becomes subject ot the whims of the budget citywide or couty wide. Would you and I tolerate it? Even when there are no fires and other emergencies?
The current state of support for professional development at Santa Monica College is similar to that in the hypothetical example above. In serving all members of the community who choose to attend the college--from the developmental student to the transfer student to the lifelong learner--our faculty touch more lives than do the faculty of a university or a high school. A sense of urgency should therefore inform our efforts at ongoing professional fitness training. On the contrary, a mellow complacency has lulled us into maintaining the status quo.
Currently, we have a sabbaticals program that is modest at best. It allows a faculty member who has taught at least six years continuously to apply for a semester off, away from the classroom, to pursue a project that will enable the faculty member to gain a better understanding of his or her subject and return to the classroom rejuvenated. Generally, about eight sabbaticals are awarded every year. This is supplemented by various opportunities for improving computer skills throughout the semester. This model of professional development is insufficient to meet the needs of the college community.
Given our mission, the community college must be reassured that all members of the faculty regularly and frequently receive professional fitness training. To this end, I propose the college offer about ten fellowships every summer or every winter session ot faculty in every department to pursue a specific topic of interest and of benefit to their students. The fellowship would be equivalent to teaching two classes or the normal load in a summer session. The faculty members would choose to work individually or in groups on a project of interest in their field of specialization. They would be encouraged to incorporate results of their research with colleagues during flex days. Such a program should complement the limited number of sabbaticals and other ongoing professional development opportunities already available during the semester.
Is there support for this idea? Yes--since I have talked about it in the past with several members of various departments. Is it affordable? See paragraph one above. Complacency whether in education or firefighting is not only foolhardy, but also expensive.
Editor's Note: The Academic Senate recently passed such a resolution, instructing the Faculty Association to negotiate for fellowships.
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