LCC Faculty Colleagues,

There was an incredible presence of faculty, classified, students, and community members at Wednesday’s Board meeting.  See photos by faculty member, Russell Shitabata, here.

After two hours of public testimony and a five hour meeting, the Board of Education did not vote on the full adoption of the Administration’s budget reduction package. Instead the Board approved: (1) making the relatively minimal cuts in the package that were non-personnel; (2) removing some vacant positions from the budget; and (3) directing the administration to work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop alternative budget packages. 

This vote represents a huge step in the right direction because a vote to pass the Administration’s plan would have cemented the proposed cuts and made any alternatives unlikely, if not impossible.

That stated, the Administration did provide formal notice to LCCEA today of possible retrenchments in:

* Counseling (3 positions)

* French (some reduction in FTE; details not yet provided)

* ALS (some reduction in FTE; details not yet provided)

Notably, the Administration has abandoned plans to eliminate the majority of cuts to the Health Education program, which would have impacted one FT faculty member and three part-time faculty members, among others.

The next steps will be for faculty representatives and the Administration to engage in discussions about alternatives for a period of at least 30 days. Given the general lack of support for layoffs expressed by a majority of Board members by the end of the meeting, and the more collaborative orientation of administrators today, we are cautiously optimistic about the possibility of finding agreement on alternatives that would obviate layoffs. 

In addition, more revenue information will be available next week once tuition is assessed on Tuesday. Shortly thereafter, an updated calculation of state funding for LCC will be provided by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. These crucial data points will mitigate pressure on the budget and reduce the need for a “reserve for revenue shortfall.”

Our work is not done, and, collectively, we will work toward resolution, centering the critical instructional and student services mission of the college.

In the meantime, please join LCCEA leaders in extending a warm thank you and deep appreciation for our classified colleagues of the LCCEF; OEA Vice President Enrique Farrera; our union siblings from Springfield and Eugene Education Associations who stood in solidarity with us; our Action Team Co-Chairs, Wendy Simmons and Paula Thonney; and all of the countless members standing together and speaking from the heart.

Together, our voices made a difference.

On behalf of LCCEA Officers,

Adrienne

Photos by Wendy Simmons

Dozens of LCCEA and LCCEF faculty and staff attended Wednesday night’s Board Meeting to call for more deliberation and transparency ahead of LCC Administration’s proposed budget cuts of $3.8 million. Local news outlets KVAL and Lane’s own KLCC reported on the story.

KVAL:

Lane Community College faculty to rally against proposed $3.8 million budget cut

KLCC:

LCC Board of Education explores budget cuts as unions demand to be part of the conversation

Photos by Russell H. Shitabata

KEZI 9 news reported on the proposed budget cut vote which is scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, September 27 at Lane Community College.

Watch here.

LCCEA’s attorney, Luke Kazava, identifies serious contractual and legal issues related to the Board of Education vote on budget reductions. Kazava writes,

“The College’s proposed retrenchments include layoffs that would violate the seniority clause (Article 10, Section 10.3) of the parties’ contract. Several faculty have been unlawfully targeted by the College for layoff… “

“Alarmingly, the proposed layoffs target Association officers and other faculty who recently participated in grievances or filed complaints against the College, including three faculty of color who filed racial discrimination complaints against the College. The proposed

layoffs appear to be acts of retaliation against employees for engaging in legally protected activity, in violation of ORS 243.672(1)(a). The College’s targeted layoffs may also violate state and federal laws prohibiting racial discrimination and whistleblower retaliation.”

Read the full letter below.