The American Federation of Teachers requested paid office hours for part-time teachers at a recent San Mateo County Community College District Board of Trustees meeting.

The proposal requests part-time faculty members to be paid one office hour per week for every three units of instruction. Compensation is to be made at a special rate for time spent with students outside of class.

Barbara Christensen, director of community and government relations, responded to the proposal by indicating “the negotiations are on the table; it’s a matter for the negotiators.”

AFT Co-President Katharine Harer introduced the Nov.17 presentation to the Board.

“We wanted to bring some of the problems of part-time teachers to the Board and let them tell their side of the story,” Harer said.

Skyline College English instructors, Joan Connors and Marijane Datson, along with College of San Mateo history instructors Susan Cox and James Robertson, explained to the board the essential need for students to have access to their instructors.

Part timers recognize it is important to hold meetings with students, regardless where the meetings take place. Liza Erpelo, a part-time English instructor, explains why her Web page indicates office hours are “by appointment”.

“We don’t have set office hours. We hold meetings where we can and when we can,” said Erpelo. “Teachers want to have office hours. We are fighting for time and space.”

Skyline College student, Linda Huynh, also expressed her feelings toward the issue.

“We are paying the same fees for all of our courses, regardless if instructors are of part-time or full time status,” said Huynh. “We should be able to have equal access to all of our instructors.”

The controversy regarding part-time instructors and office hours has been around for many years and never reached a mutual consensus. This time it’s different because more part timers are responding to the office hour issue as awareness continues to spread.

AFT representative for part-time teachers, Jenny Saarloos, acknowledged the complexity of the issue and hoped the district will soon reach a resolution.

“What I hope they realize is that part timers are a part of the district. We would like to engage in dialogue because we all have students’ best interest at heart,” Saarloos said. “I don’t think we’ll have that until we work together.”