UHPA Update Notice for Kapiolani Community College Faculty Members

Regarding Summer Session Teaching Load

In the fall, Chancellor Leon Richards unilaterally issued a memorandum stating a new policy for Kapiolani Community College regarding summer session workload and teaching assignments.  UHPA has been addressing individual issues and complaints with respect to the stated imposition by the administration that those with 11-month appointments be required to teach Summer Session without compensation, the arbitrary limit on the number of hours of Summer Session courses that those on 9-month appointments would be allowed to teach, and the unilateral increase in the number of students in web based courses.

Management’s action this academic year reflect a more aggressive attitude toward these issues and an attempt to change working conditions of faculty members on 11-month contracts and 9-month faculty members choosing to teach during the summer without addressing either the substance of the collective bargaining agreement or the academic considerations of the Faculty Senate.

The following is an update on the status of actions being taken by UHPA, which includes the filing of a class action grievance.  We hope this communication is helpful—if you individually have requested a summer teaching load and have been denied as a result of the Chancellor’s recent actions, we need to know the details—a grievance will ensure your right to appropriate compensation.

Re:  11-month work assignments

Status:  On March 14, 2008 the Chancellor notified Faculty Senate Chair Harry Davis, that “the September 17, 2007 memorandum dealing in part with summer work assignment for 11-month faculty has been rescinded per our discussion around February 7, 2008”.

Re:  September 21, 2007 Chancellor’s “Guidelines for Summer Workload Assignment”

Status:  Under the 2003-2009 CBA between the UH BOR and UHPA, Article XXIV, Grievance Procedures, C2, the Union filed a Step 1 grievance with the Office of the Chancellor (waived by Kapiolani CC) and subsequently a second grievance--Step 2, Office of the President, on March 7, 2008.  The President’s designee, Edward Yuen, held a preliminary meeting with the Chancellor in early April.  Documentation from faculty members illustrate that the Chancellor continues to selectively approve teaching load assignments for totals more than 8 credits.

Management’s position is that there will be established a maximum of 12 credits over the two summer sessions, which is the limit teaching load.  The reasoning behind this policy shift seems to be their belief of past approval of inappropriate overloads of 15 and 18 credits.  The shift is to 8 credits in one session plus 4 credits in a second session—exceptions may be considered for ESOL courses or similar subject area.  This new campus based view of workload was discussed in the Division Chair/Dean’s Advisor Council meetings.

Re:  Increases in the number of students allowed to enroll in web based courses.

Most enrollment numbers now vary from 30 to 35 students (WI courses have maximum enrollments set at 20).  Some faculty members argue that a maximum of 25 students for their courses will significantly contribute to the quality of services to students and make Kapiolani Community College more competitive.

On March 29^th the VCAA and Deans sent out a reminder to departments that maximum enrollment for online classes should mirror face to face classes.  The administration’s position is that this standard has always existed and that academic units have unilaterally adjusted to a lower class size without curriculum approval through the Faculty Senate.  Exceptions are to be determined by the program dean.