Pace University and the UAFP Ratify Contract for Adjunct Faculty

The Pace University Board of Trustees and the Union of Adjunct Faculty at Pace (UAFP) have ratified the contract agreement reached on October 27th, 2008. The agreement concludes four years of negotiations and will be in effect through June 30, 2011. The contract agreement provides the University with the flexibility to attract and retain adjunct faculty based on qualifications and performance, while providing fair compensation and benefits to those selected for adjunct assignments. Below is a summary of the key points in the agreement.

 
Appointment and Reappointment
 
  • All adjunct faculty appointments and reappointments will be made at the University’s discretion based on relative qualifications as determined by the Department Chair, performance evaluations, course availability, seniority, and the needs of the University.
  •  Adjunct faculty may apply for multi-year appointments based on certain criteria described in the agreement.
  • Reappointments may be terminated at any time based on performance evaluation(s) of less than satisfactory.
Evaluations and Observations
 
An enhanced performance review process focused on teaching is being implemented for adjuncts. The process includes student evaluation, self-evaluation, peer review, and chair review. This review process will provide important feedback for adjunct development and will be a key component of the reappointment and merit increase processes. 
 
Annual Increases
 
  • 2006-2007: Adjuncts will receive a one-time, lump sum payment, of 2.5% of their 2006-2007 per credit rate multiplied by the number of credits taught in that year, provided they taught at least three credits and at least one semester of the 2006-2007 academic year, and provided that they teach at least three credits and at least one semester of the 2008-2009 academic year. This is a one-time payment and will not become part of base pay. You will recall that the union rejected raises in this year while the rest of the University received an average 2.5% base pay increase.
  • 2007-2008: Adjuncts will receive a one-time, lump sum payment of 2% of their 2007-2008 per credit rate multiplied by the number of credits taught in that year, provided they taught at least three credits and at least one semester of the 2007-2008 academic year, were paid a per credit rate of less than $850 in 2007-2008, and provided further they teach at least three credits and at least one semester in the 2008-2009 academic year. This one-time payment is similar to the payment provided to full-time employees earning less than $50,000 in 2006-2007.
  • 2008-2011: Effective September 1, 2008, September 1, 2009 and September 1, 2010, adjuncts who taught a minimum of three credits and at least one semester in the prior academic year will receive an across-the-board increase of 1.5%. An additional 1.5% pool shall be allocated to adjuncts for performance-based merit increases.
Union Dues and Agency Fee
 
All members of the Adjunct unit will pay either Union Dues or Agency fee to the UAFP in the form of a payroll deduction. For Union members who volunteer to make this payment it will be in the form of Union Dues. All other members of the Unit will have this deduction from their paychecks in the form of an “agency fee.” The UAFP has notified the University that the Union Dues and Agency Fee will be 1.5% of salary in 2008-2009. Full-time employees in a supervisory capacity who also teach as adjuncts are not members of the unit and will therefore not have this payroll deduction. 
 
Minimum Rates
 
Effective for the 2008-2009 academic year, the following per credit minimums for adjuncts who have taught a minimum of three credits and at least one semester in the prior academic year will be in effect:
 
  • Adjunct Instructor/Adjunct Lecturer: $850 per credit
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor: $925 per credit
  • Adjunct Associate Professor: $1025 per credit
  • Adjunct Professor:   $1200 per credit
 
Senior Adjunct Professor Title
 
Effective for the 2009-2010 academic year, adjunct faculty who hold the rank of Professor and have twenty-five years of adjunct service may apply for the title of “Senior Adjunct Professor” (application details in agreement). They shall be paid an additional $150 per credit above their applicable rates if they have a PhD in the field taught, or an additional $75 per credit above their applicable rates if they do not have a PhD in the field taught.  
 
 
Health Insurance and Other Benefits Plans 
 
The University will allocate a maximum of $25,000 per year for health insurance coverage effective in 2009-2010. The University and Union will mutually agree as to how the money will be distributed to adjuncts. However, in no event shall the University’s contribution towards the cost of coverage for any adjunct exceed fifty percent of the total cost of an adjunct’s plan. 
Adjuncts will also be eligible to participate in health care flexible spending accounts, provided they are available to full-time faculty; however adjuncts will have a $1,000 annual limit. 
 
Adjuncts will continue to be eligible for other benefits they received prior to this agreement, provided they are available to full-time faculty. These benefits include tuition remission, life insurance, the Employee Assistance Program and participation in the supplemental retirement, commuter reimbursement, NY College Savings and long term care programs. 
 
No-Strike Clause
 
Neither the Union nor any adjunct or part-time instructor, acting singly or in concert, shall authorize or engage in any strike, sympathy strike, slow-down, picketing, cessation of work, or other interference with the business of the University for the duration of the agreement. 
 
Initial contract briefing sessions for Deans, Department Chairs, and HR staff began during the month of January. 
 
 
Dr. Geoffrey L. Brackett                                                                                                William J. McGrath
Provost and Chief Academic Officer                                                                         Sr. Vice President for Administration