SGA seeks student seat on board of trustees.
By Cassandra M. Rodriguez
Retiring faculty moving to adjunct positions want a clear application procedure for their transition to be implemented, Tammy Perez, foreign languages, English as a second language, and philosophy chair, said Jan. 14 at a meeting of College Council.
She is a member of the Alamo Colleges District Chairs, and she reported on changes in hiring procedures proposed by human resources.
Full-time faculty who retire but want to return and teach as adjuncts need information on why they have to reapply, she said. She said the current practice makes retirees feel as if they are not supported by the district.
In a related issue, she said adjunct applicants want to apply once and be approved to instruct at all colleges in the district. This was done in the past, but not all Alamo colleges currently allow this.
The Chairs Council is developing a proposal for the board, which will “unify the process of hiring to facilitate an adjunct working at more than one college,” Perez said.
Department chairs, however, will reserve the right to approve who can teach courses in a department.
In other business, results of a survey of 213 students on the proposed four-day class week was shared by Andrew Hubbard, Student Government Association president and liberal arts sophomore.
The results were 56 percent in favor, 23 percent against, and 21 percent unsure. Results also showed students want labs open five days a week.
Hubbard also announced that SGA is working on an approval to have a non-voting student seat on the Alamo Colleges’ board of trustees.
Hubbard is coordinating with SGAs from the Alamo Colleges. Hubbard explained approval for the student seat could be approved in February. A student will be selected in March, trained in April, and begin a one-year term in May representing students at all colleges.
“This is good news. It’s great progress,” President Robert Zeigler said.
Graduate numbers increased for degrees and certificates from fall 2012 at 736 to 940 for fall 2013, said J. Martin Ortega, director of admissions.
Construction of Phase 2 of Tobin Lofts for faculty and the parking garage is estimated for completion no later than April 1. Leasing is available for Phase 2 apartments beginning March 1, Vanessa Torres, public relations director, said.
Staff Council announced a successful Angel Tree project for more than 600 students Dec. 19 at Will Rogers Elementary School.
Staff Council collected and wrapped gifts for every student in the school.
Zeigler complimented the students on their good behavior, except the “little bitty” ones who could not contain their excitement when they “walked in, saw Santa Claus and broke ranks,” he joked.
