AFT PRESIDENT VISITS CAMPUS

American Federation of Teachers' President, Sandra Feldman, visited HFCC on Tuesday, January 18. President Feldman met informally with Local 1650 members to answer questions about the national union, hear concerns teachers have about the future of the profession, and to learn about the College's programs and faculty.

Much of the discussion centered around two issues: the problem of the "part-timization" of the teaching profession as increasing numbers of adjunct faculty carry the educational load at colleges and universities, and the challenges distance education classes pose for assuring quality education for students and secure, fair employment for teachers.

Ms. Feldman noted that the significant role community colleges play in educating the "non-traditional" student has been largely unnoticed by the public and urged these colleges to better advertise their expertise, experiences, and successes. When asked if she had advice for improving the standing of community colleges within the higher education community, however, she ruefully admitted that she had no remedy for educational "snobbery."


CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOND ELECTION

The Dearborn School Board/HFCC Board of Trustees is considering June 12 as the date for the capital improvement bond election. If passed, the College would receive approximately $9 million for renovation of HFCC buildings, including major changes to the Student Center, an expansion of the Hospitality Department, infrastructure improvements to the Liberal Arts and Science Buildings, and remodeling of the former Administration Building for faculty offices. On the P-12 side, the bond will provide for renovations to the three high schools to relieve overcrowding.

A similar capital improvement effort was narrowly defeated last May. It is crucial that this time the election is successful. These needed capital improvements cannot be funded out of current operations without depleting revenues for other important purposes. In addition, the State legislature has approved money for College capital projects, almost unheard of for a community college, but requires local matching funds! Defeat of the bond proposal would jeopardize the State funding.

Local 1650 members will have to play a major role in the bond campaign if the election is to be successful. The Local will ask Dearborn members to display lawn signs, and all members will need to participate in preparing mailings and a get-out-the-vote phone campaign sponsored by the Local. The Union, using PAF money, will be a major underwriter of the campaign expenses.


HFCC FOUNDATION EMBARKS ON MAJOR CAMPAIGN

Over the next few weeks, Presidents John McDonald and Andy Mazzara will meet with departments and divisions to discuss a major fundraising effort sponsored by the HFCC Foundation. The Foundation aims to raise $9 million over five years for scholarships, technology, faculty development, and capital improvement projects. Edsel Ford and Heinz Prechter have agreed to serve as honorary chairpersons; Peter and Marie Rossenau of Dearborn will be the campaign's operational chairpersons.

Much of the success of this campaign will depend on the financial support of HFCC teachers. If employees do not demonstrate interest and commitment to the proposed projects, it is difficult to convince outsiders of their importance. Consequently, teachers are encouraged to pledge $400 a year for five years to the Foundation. Given the State's $200 tax credit and federal tax deductions for contributions of this kind, the actual out-of-pocket contribution for a 1650 member will be less than $170 per year.

There is a political benefit to our support and contributions as well. The four chairpersons have contributed their names and prestige to the fundraising effort, as have over 50 other community leaders serving on the campaign committee. We will want the support and good will of these influential members of the community when we face important electoral efforts, such as the spring bond election or the College's operational millage which will be up for a vote in three year's time.

Teachers are again reminded that in addition to receiving a deduction on their federal income taxes for contributions to the Foundation, they will be eligible for a tax credit on their state returns.


HFCC-FT PAF COLLECTION

To date, 75% of the Union membership have responded to the Union's request for PAF contributions, giving a total of $7,465 to Local 1650's Political Action Fund and an additional $1,180 to the Michigan Federation of Teachers' COPE fund. Local 1650's Executive Board has recommended that each teacher contribute $50 to our local PAF and $10 to the MFT&SRP'S COPE fund.

Like last year, Local 1650 is operating two PAF funds. The first, a restricted fund, will be used only for local millage/bond elections, Board of Trustees' campaigns, and the campaigns of municipal and/or state Legislative candidates whose decisions impact directly on HFCC revenues. This past fall the Local use this fund to support two candidates for the HFCC Board of Trustees and will need contributions to help finance a local bond proposal, which will provide funding for renovations of the Student Center, Liberal Arts, Science and Administration buildings. The Local will use the other "unrestricted" fund to engage in political activity and support candidates not directly involved with the revenues of HFCC, but whose decisions definitely affect Local 1650's ability to represent the interests of its members. Gubernatorial, State Supreme Court, and out-state legislative campaigns, as well as the political action efforts of the Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel, fall into this category.

The Executive Board thanks those who have already contributed and supported Local 1650's political efforts to protect their bargaining rights and secure the local and State funding necessary to operate HFCC and compensate its employees. Additional checks should be made out to HFCC-FT - PAF and to MFT-SRP COPE and forwarded to your Area Representative.

MILLENNIUM BALL

Call it the Millennium Ball or the Biannual Ball, HFCC Local 1650 members and guests should circle Friday, March 24, 2000, on their Party Planners!!! On that evening at St. Mary's Cultural Center in Livonia, fine food, fine (and free) drink, fine entertainment, and an overall fine time are planned. At our last banquet Elvis showed up; this time there is a chance of getting M. . . . . . More information will follow soon, but think PARTY!!!

AFT CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS

Delegates to last May's Michigan Federation of Teachers (MFT-SRP) convention voted to change the organization's annual convention to one that convenes every other year and to offer a professional development conference, Quest, in the off-years. Accordingly, on May 5 7 the first MFT-SRP Quest Conference will meet in Traverse City. The conference will feature a host of workshops pertinent to education employees. In particular, sessions designed specially for higher education will focus on distance learning and tenure and accountability. If you are interested in attending this year's Quest conference, contact John McDonald (x9666).

AFT CONVENTION

The national convention of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) meets July 2-6, 2000 in Philadelphia. Local 1650 is entitled to send three delegates. If you have interest in representing the Local, contact John McDonald or your Area Representative. The election for delegates will be held in March.

AFT SCHOLARSHIPS

Applications are now being accepted for the AFT's Robert G. Porter Scholars Program. The program offers four $8,000 scholarships for high school seniors graduating in 2000 whose parents are AFT members and who intend to pursue a career in labor, education, health care, or government service. Also offered are 20 one-time grants of $1,000 for AFT members to pursue further study.

Members may download the application from the AFT Web site at www.aft.org. Members who do not have access to a computer or the Internet may mail a postcard or letter (no phone calls, please) to Porter Scholars, 555 New Jersey avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20001. The deadline for completed applications is March 31, 2000.

UNION OFFICE MOVES

The office of Local 1650 has moved. President John McDonald and Union secretary JoAnne Dalton can now be found on the upper level of the former administration building. The phone numbers of each remain the same, however.