Delegate Dialogue — Monday, June 30
Ed Bryant, Lansing Community College
Chemistry professor- Vice president-elect of LCC MAHE (Michigan Association for Higher Education)
- Higher Education representative to MEA's RA Strategy Committee
How long have you been an RA delegate?
“This is my first year as a full delegate — I was an alternate last year. It’s my first year on the Strategy Committee.”
Why is the work of the Strategy Committee important?
“The Strategy Committee serves as a screening body for the motions before the RA. Preliminary screening is important so we can address the strengths and weaknesses of motions and identify issues that are specific to Michigan for our delegates to consider.”
What is the most important thing you think we’ll do at the RA this year?
“I think we’re going to come away with a clearer idea of how to emphasize the importance of collective bargaining and clearly show how critical it is for public education. Through bargaining, we can re-establish the importance of education in this country.”
What is the most important issue facing higher education issue that will be addressed at this year’s RA?
“Salary parity for part-time higher education faculty is critical. College administrations’ over-reliance on part-time faculty comes at a cost — they’re wasting a valuable resource by not paying part-timers to be a full partner in higher education. Part-time faculty members must be fully qualified and are just as devoted to education as their full-time colleagues. Because of the financial situation caused by low pay, part-time faculty often must choose between economic security and full focus on providing a solid education for their students. These dedicated educators should be able to make a good living while doing the critical work they do for their students and their schools.”