Adjunct Open Letter

Open Letter from your Adjunct Reps

Dear Fellow Adjunct:

Welcome to Raritan Valley Community College — you are now an employee of one of the most highly regarded two year institutions in the nation.  RVCC offers various disciplines and educational opportunities for the surrounding communities and these are supported by the dedicated full time and adjunct faculty.  You are one of about 400 adjunct faculty members who bring a wealth of knowledge, education and situational life experiences to our student body.

Our Faculty Federation is only as strong as its membership, and joining Local 2375 will give your union representatives the support and solidarity they need to create the best possible working environment for you.  Some of the recent gains in our current three year contract that have been achieved as a result of our efforts are:

1. Significant increase in per contact hour pay. Flat dollar amounts added to three ranks prior to the annual 3.5% increase each year; 

2. Increase in grant monies from $1,000 to $1,500 for grants available for adjuncts to pursue their own research and professional development; 

3. Increase in the hourly rate from $55 to $60 for the last two years of the contract; 

4. Addition of Compensated Release Time for Associate Professors and above, permitting three credits of release time once every 7 semesters if approved; 

5. An improved scheduling process; making scheduling preferences automatic and reducing possibility of losing a course due to enrollment changes; 

6. Increase from two to three Tuition-free courses/semester for members and their eligible dependents; 

7. Reduced child-care rates for eligible members; and

8. Increase in compensation from $200 to $400/class for any adjunct class reassigned or cancelled for any reason within a week of semester start.

However, your union will face many more challenges in the future.  That’s why your membership in Local 2375 is so important.  As a group we can work together with the administration to ensure the best possible educational environment for adjuncts as well as for our students.  Please complete the enrollment form today and welcome aboard!

If you have any questions about membership, please contact our Membership Vice President, Jamie Parmese– and know that we are all available to answer your questions at any time.

Best Regards from Your Union Representatives:

VP of Membership Jamie Parmese   (English)                              

VP Denel Bingel     (Health Science Education)                           

Rep Dan Meechan     (Business & Public Service)

Rep Laureen Lefever     (Communication & Languages)        

Rep Roger Shutack  (Humanities, Social Science, Social Work & Education)

Rep Lydia Barnes     (Art & Design)