Dear Local Higher Ed Presidents,

To help contingent academics in the state, the IEA Higher Education Council in collaboration with the Government Relations director agreed Saturday at its October council meeting that it will focus on introducing legislation to win unemployment benefits for qualifying contingent faculty between semesters.

The council has steadfastly worked on this issue for many years. First helping adjuncts file for the benefit by hosting filing parties and turning its attention to the US Department of Labor asking the department to clarify to states that contingent faculty do not have reasonable assurance of employment and should be not be considered full-time teachers who do not qualify for the benefit during the summer, thereby granting the benefit to low-paid faculty who are hired, or not, based on enrollment and finances.

This effort to introduce legislation is similar to a bill offered in New York. Two other states that provide the benefit to contingents are California and Washington.

Government Relations will also pursue raising the SURS annuitant exemption cap from $10,000 to $25,000. Currently, annuitants who wish to teach at any or multiple state schools cannot earn more than 40 percent of their annuity over the course of a year. Contingents who earn $10,000 or less are exempt and have no earning restrictions. Raising the cap would allow for a greater hiring pool and would relieve schools of any penalties.

We will also be working on developing material that outlines ways students can minimize their college tuition through CLEP programs, military colleges, and matriculation agreements between community colleges and four-year institutions.

We welcome Dilyss Gallyot, College of DuPage Faculty Association, as the new Higher Education Suburban Section Rep on the IEA Board of Directors. She was elected from a field of four candidates by IEA Region Chairs representing the suburbs.

The IEA United Council, IESO executive committee members, and IEA executive officers and managers, which reviews openings and staffing needs, are still working on the Higher Ed proposal for developing a higher education coordinating council.

Don’t forget to register for the One Conference and support your members to attend. I think we have a good line up this year. Registration is open through Friday.

Please encourage your members to come. The click here for the link to registration.

Thanks,
Beverly Stewart
IEA Higher ED Council Chair