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The Part-Time Lecturer Faculty Chapter of the AAUP-AFT, or
the Part-Time Chapter as we usually call it, has been in official existence since 1988 when an overwhelming number of Rutgers Part-Time Lecturers (PTLs) voted to be represented by the AAUP. Now, we are also affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the largest union of professional educators in higher education and K-12 instruction in the United States.
Our Chapter is legally recognized as the representative to negotiate working conditions for those in the "bargaining unit," which means those educators employed to teach as Part-Time Lecturers at Rutgers. There are approximately 1,000 PTLs responsible for as much as 30% of the instruction at Rutgers. PTLs primarily teach undergraduate courses, but they also cover a large number of graduate classes in the professional schools. The Part-Time Chapter is affiliated with the Rutgers Council of AAUP Chapters, AAUP-AFT which represents full-time faculty, teaching and graduate assistants, and a small unit of EOF counselors. Organizational by-laws detail the Part-time Chapter's relationship to these other chapters.
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Join the Part-Time Lecturer Chapter
To join the Part-time Chapter, you must be in at least your second semester of teaching as a PTL (unless you were full-time or a TA/GA the previous semester - then you're eligible immediately). Dues are a nominal .5% (.005) of one's salary (that's $20.00 a term if your salary is $4,000 a course) prorated across the paychecks of a term. If you do not join, you still automatically pay a rep fee of 85% of dues to cover the costs of representation. Only members vote or are involved in decision making. Although members are responsible to make major decisions (ratifying the contract, determining job actions, electing officers), the leadership body of the Part-Time Chapter is the Executive Board with representatives from Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick meeting on a monthly basis. Potential Board members are always being sought to increase departmental representation. Contact any of the Board members or call the AAUP-AFT office if you have an interest in serving on the Part-time Chapter Executive Board.
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PTL Benefits
With AAUP-AFT representation, the Part-Time Chapter negotiated its Collective Bargaining Agreement (pdf), which provides annual salary increases, compensation for oversize classes and canceled classes, a grievance procedure, a professional development fund, and protection from salary reductions in addition to a statewide minimum salary. Over the years, several collective bargaining agreements have been negotiated adding across-the-board salary adjustments each term and increasing protections. No salary maximum is in place leaving departments free to pay PTLs as much as their budgets or the market will allow them. Salaries vary widely: from $3,780 to as much as $20,000 or more for a 3-credit course.
PTLs are eligible for Rutgers' Mass Transit Reimbursement Program. This program allows PTLs who submit receipts for mass transit usage to receive reimbursement for the tax on those amounts in their paychecks. Application forms and further information are available from Rutgers Human Resources, 732-932-3020, ext. 4077 or from the University web site at http://uhr.rutgers.edu/ben/MassTransitSavingPlan.htm.
The PTLFC-AAUP-AFT has also made advances for part-time faculty in the New Jersey Legislature. Together with the NJ AAUP State Conference and the NJ AFT, Rutgers AAUP-AFT successfully changed the law to allow part-timers to purchase membership in the NJ State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP). At a cost lower than that on the open market, this law gives part-timers access to excellent coverage with low co-pays and no deductibles. Open enrollment for the SHBP is during the month of October or at the time of PERS enrollment and forms are available from Rutgers Human Resources. Go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/ben/shbpforptemployees.htm and scroll down to the bottom of the page, or call 732-932-3020, ext. 4077.
The 2007-2011 Agreement mandated a process of review of affordable health care insurance plans. We conducted a joint RU Administration and PTLFC-AAUP-AFT health insurance survey. Click here to see the survey.
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PTL Professional Development Fund
Click here to download a copy of the Professional Development Fund guidelines.
The deadline for the 2009 Professional Development Fund was November 30, 2008.
The 2010 deadline will likely be at the end of November, too.
The 2009 awardees have been announced. Click here to review the details and the union will recognize the awardees in the next PTL newsletter to be published near the end of February 2009.
Overview of Professional Development Fund guidelines
Total Amount available: $10,000.00 for each academic year
Purpose: To reimburse PTLs for money spent in
professional development activities specifically related to their pedagogic needs in connection with and related to their professional activities at Rutgers
Previous Awardees: Read archived PTL newsletter to see past awardees and a short description of their funded professional development activities:
Spring 2008
Spring 2007
Administration of Funds: The Center for Teaching Advancement and Assessment Research administers the PTL Professional Development Fund.
Who is eligible to apply: PTLs in the bargaining unit (i.e., teaching during the semester the funds are expended) are eligible to apply for money from this Fund.
When funds can be expended: Funding requests may be for activities in either the Fall 2008 semester or in the spring 2009 semester. Funds are reimbursed based on proper receipts presented. Save all receipts as necessary supporting documentation.
Two steps for submitting request:
1. First, submit your application to the Department Chairperson or Program Director for review and endorsement consideration. Only applications that are endorsed by the Department Chairperson or Program Director may be submitted.
2. Then, after receiving this endorsement at the department or program level, send your request by email to Lisa Bonick at bonick@oldqueens.rutgers.edu
Other important information:
The Center for Teaching Advancement and Assessment Research reviews all requests for merit and relevance. The Center will award funds only for those proposals that it determines to be meritorious and is not required to award the entire fund amount of up to $10,000.00, if it determines there are not sufficient meritorious proposals warranting funding.
Importance of Applying for Professional Development Funds:
PTL faculty who receive a PDF award obviously benefit from applying, but there is a way in which not receiving an award has benefit for future rounds. The more requests submitted, the stronger the message sent to RU administration that PTLs need and deserve professional development funds. Apply!
The PTL-AAUP-AFT chapter successfully negotiated an increase in the funds available for professional development--actually doubling the total amount available ($10,000 per year) during the 2007-2011 contract. We want to defend this Professional Development Fund and have strong evidence that PTLs are applying in ever-increasing numbers. In other words, if you apply but do not receive funding in any given year, do not give up but apply again the next year and the next.
Union Right to Monitor PDF Funds: The University is required to provide the Union with copies of all PTL Professional Development Fund award and denial letters.
FORMAT FOR REQUESTS FOR USE OF THE PTL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND
- Name
- Department/decanal unit/campus
- Amount of funding requested
- A detailed budget outlining the use of funds
- Semester during which funds will be expended
- Project statement, including how the project relates to professional activities at Rutgers (limited to one page)
- Endorsement by Department Chairperson or Program Director
- After endorsement by DC or PD, the request for funding should be in the form of an email to Lisa Bonick at bonick@oldqueens.rutgers.edu.
2009 DEADLINE:
Requests for Professional Development Funds must be submitted no later than November 30, 2008.
Decision Announcement:
PTL professional development funding decisions will be announced by January 30, 2009.
Questions:
If you have any questions about PTL Professional Development Funds or any other matter related to your status as a Part-Time Lecturer at Rutgers, you may contact your union staff person, Karen Thompson, PTLFC AAUP-AFT Staff Representative at kgt@rci.rutgers.edu or 732-954-1000, ext. 21.
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Part-time Lecturer Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are PTLs in a separate bargaining unit from full-time faculty and TA-GAs?
- Why should I join the Part-Time Lecturer Faculty Chapter (PTLFC) of the AAUP-AFT
—if I'm only appointed for a semester?
—if all PTLs are represented anyway?
- What concretely do I get?
- What do I pay?
- How do I join?
1. Why are PTLs in a separate bargaining unit from full-time faculty and TA-GAs?
The AAUP has represented full-time faculty in negotiations at Rutgers since 1970. TA/GAs were added to the bargaining unit in 1972. Rutgers is the only place in the country where full-time faculty and TA/GAs are in the same bargaining unit, making Rutgers the largest AAUP chapter in the nation. Since 1988, when Rutgers' PTLs petitioned for an election and then voted overwhelmingly, the AAUP has also represented part-time faculty at Rutgers in a separate bargaining unit. The Rutgers Council of AAUP Chapters, AAUP-AFT has over 5,000 bargaining unit members and maintains a dual identity as a professional association and bargaining agent, enhancing the quality of education at Rutgers by representing member interests and protecting their rights as employees.
2. Why should I join the Part-Time Lecturer Faculty Chapter (PTLFC) of the AAUP-AFT
—if I'm only appointed for a semester?
Although most PTLs are appointed term-to-term, the average stay is eight years and many of us have been teaching at RU for 20-25 years. One of the reasons we organized ourselves into the PTLFC in the first place was that PTLs received very little recognition of their long committed service. In order to join the PTLFC, a PTL must be in at least the second semester of teaching and he /she then retains membership until three consecutive semesters have passed without teaching.
—if all PTLs are represented anyway?
The more official members we have, the stronger our organization. The force the union can bring to bear at the bargaining table and at grievances is directly proportional to our numbers. If membership is low, it gives the false appearance that satisfaction is high. Though the PTLFC-AAUP-AFT represents you whether you join or not, that representation is much more effective if you join.
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3. What concretely do I get?
Joining the union gives you a voice in contract negotiations and organizational policy, as well as a vote in contract ratification and officer elections. Once your membership application is processed you will receive a packet of materials including our collective bargaining agreement, our organizational by-laws, a list of discounts available, along with other items. You will also begin receiving Academe, the national AAUP's journal, and national AFT's On Campus..
4. What do I pay?
When you become a member of the PTLFC of the Rutgers AAUP-AFT, dues are a nominal .5% (.005) of your salary (that would be $20 a term if your salary is $4,000 per course) deducted over your semester's paychecks — or a little over $1 a check. Even if you do not join, you automatically pay a rep fee of 85% of the .5% dues. This agency shop provision means everyone pays a fair share for representation. Only members are involved in decision making.
5. How do I join?
Fill out a membership application form or contact the Part-Time Lecturers Faculty Chapter by phone (732) 964-1000, by fax (732) 964-1032, or by E-Mail aaup@rutgersaaup.org.
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Demand and Return for Part-Time Lecturers for FY 2007-08
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