AFT ACTION UPDATE 8: COLLECTIVE ACTION WORKS—CLASS MINIMUMS TO REMAIN AT 10

 

 

FACT:  In May, Interim Chancellor Moreno recommended increasing the minimum enrollment for a class from 10 students to 20—meaning more classes could be canceled for “low” enrollment.

FACT:  Following speakouts from faculty and students, the Chancellor changed course and recommended continuing the 10-student minimum through the coming academic year, including summer ’24. Now more classes will be able to run.

FAIRNESS?  Requiring a minimum of 20 students leads to class cancellations that negatively impact:

  • students’ timelines to graduation and transfer
  • District enrollment, as students lose trust in SMCCCD and look for classes elsewhere
  • adjunct faculty, who lose income and possibly health benefits.

The district is in “spectacular financial shape,” according to one of the Trustees. Given our strong finances, what’s more important than offering students the classes they need, building our enrollments, and serving our community?

EQUITY!  The District tasks faculty with making their equity goals a reality for students. By investing in faculty working conditions, the District will also be investing in student success.

Students and faculty from the Kababayan Filipinx Learning Community speak at the May Board meeting on how lower class minimums benefit them and the Kababayan program.

“Although there are fewer than 20 students in these classes, our voices matter & these classes matter to us. Don’t take them away.” (A student commenting on Kababayan’s petition to keep the 10-student minimum.)

“With lower class minimums, we prove to our community that we are willing to create a schedule that works for all sorts of students.” (Sarah Mangin, English faculty, CSM)

Thanks to all the faculty and students who spoke up at the June 28th Board Meeting. By organizing collectively, YOU moved the needle on class minimums.

The Board will discuss potential permanent changes to class minimums and the cancellation policy in November in a study session—we’ll keep you posted on how you can join to share your thoughts with the Board and the Chancellor. Faculty voices matter on this important pedagogical issue!