Equity for college faculty

Regarding “My child had a 4.5 GPA. Here’s why she chose California community college” (Open Forum, SFChronicle .com, May 6): I was thrilled with the author’s recognition of the invisible advantages of community colleges for students, including opportunities for some to have adequate consultation time with their instructors, to meet “multiple times each year” with a counselor and by “shaving two years off the cost of a four-year college degree.”

What makes those benefits possible, however, is the exploitation built into the unequal two-tier faculty structure in community colleges.

About 70% of community college instructors are in a lower tier of temporary, at-will employees, despite some having decades of teaching experience. They receive low compensation, minimal, if any, benefits, and have no job security. Work hours are also limited, and many crisscross college districts to different jobs to cobble together a livable wage.

Consequently, the vast majority of

community college students have scant access to equally qualified instructors and counselors to ensure their academic success. They deserve better.

Fortunately, a campaign is underway to establish a one-tier community college faculty structure offering equal compensation, benefits and job security for all.

Cynthia Mahabir, Berkeley