Most of the members of the KVCCFA know Marilyn’s professional story.  For me, she was a formidable presence during most of my career at the college.  Personally, I appreciated her passion for our institution and the profession of education.  I also appreciated her humor.  Even during speeches where she was trying to impress upon us the seriousness of the situation we were in – be it funding cuts, enrollment slides, or even cultural upheaval - Marilyn would always throw in a joke to ease the tension – often at her own expense.

I happened to be walking by Mahogany Row one day shortly after Marilyn announced her retirement.  She was her usual self:  greeting me warmly and asking about my son.  She remembered seeing him walking around the halls of KVCC in his kangaroo costume when he was three years old.  She was glad to hear about his matriculation at MSU.  We both remarked on how time flies.  I asked her if she was excited about the next phase of her life and her answer was an immediate “no.”  She said she didn’t really want to retire:  it was like leaving part of herself behind.  I understood.  And I appreciated her not just giving me the standard answer, but sharing a little of her real self with me.  I told her she would be missed, which was true.  Our first president started the college, but what it is today is because of Marilyn.

Marilyn said she didn’t want any monuments at the college when she was gone, but I’m glad they persuaded her to allow her name to be on the Culinary & Allied Health Building.  It’s a good tribute.  Not enough for what she meant to the college, the community, and all of us - but good.

If I could see Marilyn again, I’d say thanks for being the solid rock on which our institution stood and which supported me in my professional pursuits.  She has been and will be missed. 

On Wednesday, May 26, I participated in a Zoom call with representatives of the AAUP about their lobbying efforts in Washington.  Our parent organization is working with the American Federation of Teachers on what they're calling "A New Deal for Higher Education."  Here's a link to the website for that effort:  https://newdealforhighered.org/
 
Below is a breakdown of what was discussed on that call, along with a few of my own thoughts.
 

• The AAUP employees on the call were Kaitlyn Vitez, government relations specialist; and Ursula Lawrence, Midwest lead organizer.

 

• Others on the call were Cathryn Bailey, President of the WMU-AAUP union; Joel Stillerman, President of the Grand Valley State University AAUP advocacy chapter, and Charlie Parrish, President of Wayne State University's AAUP-AFT Local 6075.

 
AAUP's focus in this lobbying effort is to get Congress and the White House to recognize that helping American individuals and families earn degrees in higher education includes taking working conditions for professors into account.
 
Vitez gave an overview of three government initiatives that could affect our jobs in the near future:
 
The College for All Act proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington.

• This proposal "Eliminates tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities for those making up to $125,000 and makes community college tuition- and fee-free for all." (Sanders fact sheet)
• An advantage for our profession is that this plan requires institutions to transition to 75% tenure-track faculty within five years, and to prioritize existing adjuncts in hiring.
• This bill has been introduced and was referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, And Pensions Committee on April 21, 2021.

 
The America's College Promise Act proposed by Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Rep. Andy Levin of Michigan.

• This is similar to the College for All Act, except that it only offers two free years at community colleges.
• It does not address jobs or hiring.
• This bill has been introduced and was referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor on August 27, 2019.

 
The American Families Plan introduced by President Joe Biden on April 28, 2021.

• This is the President's comprehensive proposal to provide support, education, and opportunity to middle and lower-income Americans.
• Important sections of the plan include that it would provide two free years of community college to all Americans and subsidize at least two years at four-year schools.
• It would boost Pell Grant availability and provide other aid to students.
• It does not address jobs or hiring in any detail.
• This one has not be introduced in the House or Senate, but it is most likely to be considered soon because of the President's endorsement and political urgency.

 
AAUP's position on all these proposals is that they do not go far enough is addressing hiring of faculty positions at colleges and universities.  The Sanders/Jayapal plan goes furthest, but could be improved.  It is also unlikely to go forward soon because of the priorities of the Biden administration.
 
The Baldwin/Levin plan is also likely to be set aside as the White House and Democrats in the House and Senate pursue Biden's American Families Plan.
 
Whatever your politics, I urge you to look over what the President is proposing, especially as it relates to college education.  Here is a link to a fact sheet on the plan from the White House:  The American Families Plan
 
AAUP's suggestions for the plan - and I think they are all important from our perspective as college faculty members - include adjusting it to...

• pay for the first two years at any institution of higher learning, and better yet, all four years of a bachelor's degree.
• include more detail on how it will support faculty and guarantee high-quality instruction.  One way to do this is to increase the number of tenure-track positions, but it is valuable to all faculty to advocate for good pay, continuity of employment, and pay parity between full and part time roles.
• ensure faculty and staff have a voice in campus decision-making through encouraging shared governance and preventing institutions from cutting programs and jobs unilaterally.

 
If you would like to participate in the AAUP's efforts to urge Congress to address faculty concerns as they debate the American Families Plan, Vitez of AAUP recommends contact Rep. Levin's office.  As a member of Congress from Michigan who is at the forefront of addressing higher education, it is likely he will take voices from those of us in his home state seriously.
 
Vitez sent an email to AAUP members recently (reproduced below) that recommended language for a phone call to Mr. Levin's office, if you're so inclined.  It is most likely you would be able to leave a message rather than talk to a person.  You can also contact him on Twitter (@RepAndyLevin) or by visiting his Congressional website:  https://andylevin.house.gov/contact
 
To be clear, I'm not asking you to participate in this lobbying effort.  My personal view is that lobbying on behalf of higher education generally - and faculty specifically - is among our national organizations most important functions.  I also think lawmakers should listen to those of us on the front lines before they make big decisions about what is needed in our field.
 
So my intent here is just to provide an overview of what's going on in Washington how AAUP is addressing it on our behalf.
 
Thanks,
Scott