On October 14 the AFA and the college administration hosted the latest in the series of  adjunct orientations.  The whole concept of a special program geared to the needs of  new adjunct faculty  is more than likely unique in the annals of academe.

            The program was inaugurated several years ago and has run successfully each fall. The proceedings opened at 10:30 AM with a welcome and general remarks by AFA President Charles Loiacono. President Loiacono introduced the college administration. Representing the college were Dr. John Ostling, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Ms. Ann Muth, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Ms. Carol Farber, Associate Dean/ Academic Affairs. Dr. Ostling has been very cooperative in assisting at the orientation and his presence lends a strong note to the high regard in which adjuncts are held at Nassau Community College.  Deans Muth and Farber provided not only valuable information but also added to the feeling that adjuncts were essential members of the staff at Nassau and were welcome as well as respected.

            A handbook was provided to all new adjuncts as was a copy of the  expired CBA   ( the new contract will be available soon), and a copy of the AFA Appointment Calendar. All these documents help to guide the new adjuncts during their first semesters at NCC.

            The handbook is especially interesting since it was first created by adjunct professors Mark Lipset (Biology) and Mahadev Kumbar (Chemistry) with an eye toward including the kind of  information that new adjuncts would find useful and meaningful.

            The orientation was preceded by a meeting of the AFA Representative Assembly. The DRs remained for the program

 and this enabled new adjuncts to meet their respective Department Representatives. This is a very important feature of the orientation program because of the critical role the DRs play in enforcing  the contract.        

             All AFA officers were present for the program. President Loiacono stressed the uniqueness and the strength of the AFA in the larger world of higher education. Vice President Gaudino urged the participants to read both the appointment calendar and the contract so that they would become familiar with their rights as members of the bargaining unit. Financial Secretary Neil McLellan urged the new adjuncts to sign membership cards and become members of the AFA. He did a solid job because nearly all the new members did so.

            At the end of the orientation program Ms. Aurora Workman of Human Resources arranged for the office of Public Safety to provide a special presentation by Sgt. William  McDermott  on the subject of fire safety and security on the campus. All faculty are required to attend this presentation once each year. This has become a regular feature of the agenda and will be continued in the future.

            At the conclusion of the program many of the new adjuncts expressed thanks for the recognition and the information provided.

            The AFA would like to thank Dean Muth for her efforts in sending out invitations to new adjuncts and Dean Farber for her efforts in editing the handbook.

            All in all this was a most satisfying joint activity and emphasizes the benefits of the harmonious relationship between the AFA and the  administration.