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LEGAL DEFENSE |
AAUP and NFA file joint amicus brief in Jensen appeal to U.S. 9th Circuit Court |
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The Nevada Faculty Alliance has joined the American Association of University Professors to file a joint amicus brief in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in support of TMCC math professor, Dr. Lars Jensen, who faced retaliation for voicing concerns about lowering math curriculum standards.
The appeal was filed following a conclusion in the federal district court that Jensen's constitutional right |
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to engage in such speech "was not clearly established." AAUP contends that a 2014 case, Demers v. Austin, clearly and unequivocally affirmed that such speech pursuant to a faculty member's official duties is protected and that Jensen was addressing "matters of public concern." TMCC filed a response to the amicus brief on March 6, starting the clock for an AAUP/NFA reply by March 13.
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COLLECTIVE BARGAINING |
Contract revised self-evaluation and annual plan deadlines for academic faculty |
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With the end of the academic year approaching, faculty are being asked to complete their self-evaluations and prepare their annual plans for the next academic year. Please be aware that Article 12 of the 2022-25 TMCC-NFA Contract revised the deadlines for these reports.
Starting with the current academic year, the self-evaluations are due "no later than ten (10) working days prior to the end of the academic year." This year, the faculty contract ends on May 17, 2024. If you are an academic faculty member, please be sure to submit your self-evaluation on or before May 3, 2024.
Likewise, Article 12, Section 12.1.1, establishes the deadline for annual plans as "no later than thirty (30) working days from the first contract day of the Fall Semester." The first contract day of the 2024-25 academic year is August 15, 2024, which means your annual plan for the year is not due until September 14, 2024.
We have been made aware of some administrators using the old deadlines in their reminders to faculty, and we will remind them of the revised dates. |
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FELLOWSHIP |
Member recognition event set for April 26 |
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Faculty & friends invited to Voodoo happy hour |
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Returning to the venue that was a hit with attendees of the holiday happy hour, TMCC-NFA will host our year-end celebration for all rank-and-file faculty, members and non-members alike. The event will be held at Voodoo Brew Pub at 550 West Plumb Lane in Reno starting at 4:00 PM on Friday, April 26. Appetizers and your first drink are on us.
Like last year, we will use this event to recognize the multiple achievements of our members from the 2023-24 academic year, including the 2nd annual Legacy Award.
Watch your email for an invitation to the event. |
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2nd annual Legacy Award nominations sought |
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TMCC-NFA is now accepting nominations from members for the 2nd annual Legacy Award. The award honors one chapter member who consistently represents NFA values in service on behalf of colleagues in areas such as academic freedom, shared governance, employee rights, collective bargaining, etc. Besides a desk award and framed certificate, the honoree will also receive a $500 stipend.
Blisin Hestiyas was the first honoree in 2023 based on her policy work to remove unfettered access for administrators to online courses. |
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GOVERNANCE |
Revised TMCC-NFA bylaws approved |
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TMCC-NFA members voted unanimously to accept the revisions to the chapter bylaws last month. The update aligned the chapter's governing document with the recently revised NFA bylaws and brought them into compliance with the American Federation of Teachers' guidelines. Following ratification by the chapter members, the NFA State Board approved the revised bylaws at their March Board meeting.
SEE TMCC NFA Chapter Bylaws >> |
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TMCC-NFA Officers Jim New, President Amy Cavanaugh, Vice President Julia Hammett, Secretary Lars Jensen, Treasurer Cheryl Cardoza, Past President |
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