PATFA offered a formal comment to the draft version of the System's proposal for a new structure for its online teaching. The report, "Unified Online," dated October 2015, is in draft form and will be presented to the Board of Trustees later this fall.
While PATFA takes no position as to the proposed new structure, it noted draft language that called for creation of Online Faculty Ambassadors (a committee, really) to advise the System on online teaching. The language specifically said "full-time faculty" would be on the panel.
PATFA's statement, posted Nov. 2, 2015, reads:
"The Part-time Faculty Association of Maine (Local 4593), American Federation of Teachers, represents all faculty adjuncts who teach within the University of Maine System. It urges a language change on p. 9 of the UMS Unified Online Report, October 2015.
"In reference to creation of a group called Online Faculty Ambassadors, the report says, 'This body will be comprised of full-time faculty that teach predominantly distance courses. They will serve as the academic advisory group to shape and advance online learning system-wide. Spanning all UMS institutions, they are a self-selected group of individuals drawn from all disciplines that engage in online learning.'
"PATFA proposes changing the language to say, 'This body will comprise full-time and part-time faculty who frequently teach online courses.'
"Many adjuncts within the University of Maine System are originating and teaching online courses, and their observations and conclusions would support the report’s goal (cited on p. 5) of providing 'a broad spectrum of faculty support and development to ensure the development of best practice ….'”
Tom McCord, PATFA secretary, Nov. 2, 2015.