On February 25th, Frederick Community College (FCC) faculty gathered at the main entrance for an informational picket to express their concerns about the dismissive behavior towards FCC faculty by the current campus administration.
In cooperation with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the emerging United Academics of Maryland union, which FCC faculty is part of, is negotiating for a fair contract at the bargaining table with their union representative and pressuring the administration for answers as to why department chairs are being eliminated. Both long-time faculty members and students have expressed their disappointment at the lack of response.
“They are hiring new positions, new people who are administrators to do the work of department chairs,” said Dr. Anne Hofmann, chair of the English & Humanities Department. “[T]he problem [is] that faculty who are in the classroom…are not represented in college decision making. So we have people who are administrators making all the decisions and they are not on the ground.”
In addition to the declining presence of the department chairs, Dr. Hofmann said that there is strong evidence that FCC faculty are not being paid what is equitable in our area.
“Faculty wants to make sure that we have a seat at the table for decision-making at the College that we can bring forward [our] students’ interests and their learning needs,” Dr. Hofmann continued. “And we also want a livable wage in Frederick County. I think students at FCC know how much we love our jobs…this is my dream job.”
Retired professor Mary Rolle, who taught Criminal Justice at FCC, also expressed her disappointment at President Cheek’s lack of response.
“They are very, very important,” Rolle said. “When I was here, I was told that a lot of their duties were being diminished and only the department chairs understand what faculty do and what’s important in those areas.”
Department chairs have significant influence on campus’ courses and when they should be taught. The chairs also maintain communication with faculty and how to deal with adjunct professors. They are responsible for detailed, day to day work to help keep education smooth for students.
“I loved it when I was here,” Rolle added. “I loved teaching. It’s all the administrative stuff…just let me teach.”
Some students, including Jack Frenyea, in his third year at the College, took the initiative and went to Annapolis Hall to deliver 100 pre-written letters that were signed by students months before, addressed to President Cheek, to ceremoniously express their support for faculty. However, these letters were dismissed.
“We met there and it was just a weird experience,” Frenyea said. “As students, it was very off putting because we literally were just there to do a very simple thing…you know? It was kind of scary because as students here, these are more or less our principals, so our voice was more or less squashed.”
Frenyea stated that the reasons for dismissing the letters were ambiguous at best. He reiterated that students were not the union themselves but students simply expressing support for faculty. All the visiting students wanted was for the president to read the letters.
“It was really disappointing,” Frenyea stated. “A couple of members who were there were expressing how they wanted to cry afterwards and it was just a very disheartening [and] confrontational…. If you ask me it was just very unnecessary.”
The AFT, sporting blue jackets, were also present at the picket. When Maryland Legislature passed a bill allowing community colleges to unionize, the AFT extended their experience and resources for support, such as staff and lawyers, to the United Academics of Maryland.
“We’re working with several community colleges across the state. And it’s been it’s really amazing, the faculty here are awesome. We’re just here to support them and help them to get the union they deserve.” McKennah, an AFT member, said.
Bustling with activity and chanting, the picket went on from 11am to 1pm with passing vehicles expressing support for the cause by honking and waving. Despite the faculty’s sentiment of disappointment, the atmosphere was cheerful, composed, and unified.
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