- COLLECTIVE BARGAINING -

A major focus of this cycle was ensuring equitable protections for administrative faculty, librarians, and counselors to match those of instructional faculty. The agreement includes salary increases for department chairs and accredited program leaders, as well as updated rates for private music instruction and independent studies. Notably, summer wages will now be adjusted annually by the HEPI index. The college also committed to applying COLA adjustments to new hires and will fund any gap if NSHE-approved schedules fall below legislative COLA levels.

Beyond compensation, the contract strengthens faculty rights regarding student complaints and intellectual property. Faculty will also receive one paid personal day to be used on a teaching day. While the administration did not agree to an evergreen clause, the new five-year term includes a provision allowing either party to reopen negotiations after the second year.

TMCC-NFA will host a faculty forum during the week of March 30th to discuss the changes in detail. Following the forum, NFA members will vote on the contract via ElectionBuddy during the week of April 6th. If ratified, the contract will move to the NSHE Board of Regents for final approval in June, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

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Contract negotiations clear first hurdle

- BENEFITS -

This demand for transparency stems from significant discrepancies in the financial data provided by PEBP and its actuary, the Segal Group. During the session, it was revealed that collections into the operating account may have been incorrect for the past 18 months, and key revenue slides were removed just a day prior. Furthermore, the actuary’s report that revenue is currently matching expenses contradicts previous warnings of a cash flow crisis. The NFA maintains that no rate hikes or benefit cuts should be finalized until this data is independently verified.

In light of this uncertainty, the Board has postponed all major decisions until the March 19th rate-setting meeting. This upcoming session will determine employee premiums and out-of-pocket (deductibles and co-pays) maximums for the next year. Currently, the Board is exploring options to potentially roll back the $1,000–$2,000 out-of-pocket maximum increases approved in December. While no new benefit cuts are on the table, a three-year phase-in of premium increases is being considered for the Low-Deductible and EPO/HMO plans to soften the financial impact.

Your continued advocacy is essential. The public comments submitted submitted by hundreds of state employees, including numerous NSHE faculty, have already forced the Board to reconsider its trajectory. As we approach the March 19th deadline, we must remain engaged to ensure that any final decisions are based on accurate, transparent accounting rather than questionable projections.

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PEBP Update: Some Good News–and Lingering Uncertainty

- SHARED GOVERNANCE -

By Jennifer Salisbury

The President’s Council recently discussed several key campus initiatives and policy changes at their meeting on February 23rd. A primary focus of the meeting was the progress of the Strategic Master Plan, as Interim VPAA Deadmond shared findings from recent campus surveys and Town Halls. These results indicate that constituents are looking for a mission and plan centered on student transformation, workforce excellence, and expanded access, with the ultimate goal of ensuring TMCC has a measurable and positive impact on the community.

In addition to strategic planning, the Council moved forward with several significant policy updates. The Missed Class Policy was passed unanimously, providing faculty with greater discretion regarding students who miss class for college-sanctioned extracurricular activities. The Council also approved an Administrative Withdrawal Policy that extends the timeframe for students to be administratively dropped through the 100% refund period, and a Fraudulent Enrollment Cancellation Policy that allows the college to cancel enrollment if it is found to be the result of a fraudulent application.

Ongoing discussions also addressed digital standards and faculty governance. The Council held a first reading for the Web & Digital Accessibility and Standards Policy, focusing on upcoming compliance deadlines for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AA. Meanwhile, the Faculty Senate reported that a By-law Revision Committee has been convened and that the BOR Committee for Faculty Evaluations has begun meeting to discuss post-tenure review processes, with the goal of submitting actionable items by the June BOR meeting.

The next Council meeting will be at 9:00 AM, Monday, March 16th in RDMT 256. It is open to the campus community.

- BENEFITS -

As we approach the final weeks of the academic year, we remind all faculty members that Article 6 of the TMCC-NFA Contract guarantees you the right to take one paid personal day off per year. Instructional faculty cannot cancel their classes for a personal day and personal days are not allowed on commencement, but it is a benefit that we encourage everyone to take advantage of.

TMCC-NFA Officers

Jim New, President

Amy Cavanaugh, Secretary

Dan Hooper, Treasurer

Cheryl Cardoza, Past President