Why did ACC pause the Adjunct Faculty Association?
The College determined that a comprehensive review of the AFA’s governance structure was necessary to address ongoing structural and operational challenges.
Those challenges include unclear language within the association’s bylaws, uneven representation among ACC’s adjunct faculty population, and concerns about the association’s ability to operate consistently and effectively on behalf of its constituency.
Rather than continuing to address individual concerns within the existing structure, the College is using the 2026-27 academic year to conduct a broader review and work toward a stronger model for the future.
No. The AFA has not been permanently eliminated. Regular association activities are temporarily paused for the 2026-27 academic year while the College conducts a governance review and restructuring process.
The intent is for the AFA to return to ACC’s shared governance structure for the 2027-28 academic year.
Is this because of something specific that happened within the AFA?
There is not one single incident behind the decision.
Over time, adjunct faculty and members of other employee associations raised concerns related to AFA governance, collegiality, meeting effectiveness, representation, and advocacy. College leaders worked with AFA leadership to address concerns, but broader structural challenges remained.
The College determined that a temporary pause and comprehensive review would provide a better opportunity to address those issues holistically.
Did the College remove adjunct faculty from shared governance?
No. This distinction is important: AFA activities are paused; adjunct participation in shared governance is not.
Adjunct faculty retain their ability to participate in departmental governance under Administrative Rule 2.0703.03. They also remain eligible to serve on collegewide shared governance committees and councils.
Can adjunct faculty still attend department meetings?
Yes. The AFA pause does not affect an adjunct faculty member’s right to attend department meetings.
Administrative Rule 2.0703.03 remains in effect and continues to govern adjunct faculty participation within instructional departments.
Can adjunct faculty still vote in department meetings?
Yes, when selected as voting members of their departments in accordance with Administrative Rule 2.0703.03. Departments should continue following the administrative rule during the AFA pause.
How will adjunct faculty be appointed to shared governance committees without the AFA?
For the 2026-27 academic year, the vice chancellor of Academic Affairs will serve as the intermediary between adjunct faculty interested in serving and shared governance committee and council chairs.
Adjunct faculty have been asked to submit an interest form identifying where they would like to serve. Academic Affairs will use those submissions to help facilitate placements.
Why not simply revise the bylaws while allowing the AFA to continue operating?
The issues identified extend beyond individual provisions within the bylaws. The College wants an opportunity to examine the association more comprehensively, including its structure, representation, governance practices, and the needs of today’s adjunct faculty population.
Pausing regular operations creates space to conduct that review while continuing to provide other avenues for adjunct faculty participation in shared governance.
Who will decide what the new AFA looks like?
The College will conduct a comprehensive review of the AFA’s governance structure to develop a structure that reflects best practices in shared governance and supports effective, sustainable representation of adjunct faculty.
Throughout the academic year, Academic Affairs will also create opportunities to connect directly with adjunct faculty through surveys, focus groups, campus visits, office hours, and other outreach. These efforts will help College leaders better understand the experiences, needs, and priorities of adjunct faculty and may inform related updates to College policies and administrative rules.
Additional details about the AFA restructuring process, including the development and approval of updated bylaws, will be shared as that work progresses.
The restructuring process will be informed by input gathered directly from adjunct faculty and a comprehensive review of the association’s governance structure.
Academic Affairs plans to engage adjunct faculty through surveys, focus groups, campus visits, office hours[1] [2] [3] , and other opportunities throughout the academic year.
Additional details about the review and decision-making process will be communicated as the work progresses.
How will the College ensure adjunct faculty have a voice while the AFA is paused?
Adjunct faculty will continue participating in departmental governance and collegewide shared governance committees and councils.
The College also plans to create additional opportunities specifically for adjunct faculty to communicate directly with Academic Affairs, including surveys, focus groups, campus drop-in hours, and virtual office hours.
Are department chairs expected to change how they involve adjunct faculty?
No. Departmental governance remains intact.
Department chairs should continue to follow Administrative Rule 2.0703.03 and ensure that adjunct faculty have the opportunities for participation provided under the rule. The AFA pause does not change those departmental responsibilities.
Why is the College saying it supports shared governance while suspending an employee association?
The College views the temporary pause as an effort to strengthen the adjunct faculty role in shared governance rather than reduce it.
ACC intends to maintain a distinct adjunct faculty voice within its shared governance structure. The review is designed to address concerns that have limited the AFA’s effectiveness and representation, enabling the association to return with a stronger foundation.
At the same time, adjunct faculty participation in departmental and college-wide governance will continue throughout the review.
Is the College trying to control or weaken the adjunct faculty voice?
No. The intent is to create a stronger and more representative mechanism for adjunct faculty participation.
Throughout the pause, adjunct faculty will retain existing departmental governance rights, continue serving on college-wide committees and councils, and have additional opportunities to provide direct feedback to Academic Affairs.
The College also intends to restore the AFA to the shared governance structure for the 2027-28 academic year.
What happens if an adjunct faculty member is upset or disagrees with the decision?
We recognize that adjunct faculty may have questions or concerns about the decision, and they should have opportunities to express them.
Cabinet members should listen, acknowledge the concern, and reinforce the distinction between the temporary pause in AFA operations and adjunct faculty members’ continued ability to participate in shared governance.
Questions about the review, future AFA structure, or opportunities for adjunct engagement should be directed to [email protected].
What should I say if I am asked about individual AFA leaders or specific internal conflicts?
Avoid discussing individual employees, personnel matters, or details of specific interpersonal conflicts.
A consistent response is:
“The decision was not based on a single individual or incident. The College identified broader concerns related to governance, representation and effective operations that warranted a comprehensive review. Our focus now is on engaging adjunct faculty and building a stronger, sustainable structure for the future.”
The College intends for the AFA to return to ACC’s shared governance structure for the 2027-28 academic year.
More information about the structure, timeline, and transition back to regular AFA activities will be shared as the review progresses.
How were the AFA Restoration Project Tri-Chairs chosen?
The AFA Restoration Project Tri-Chairs were selected and appointed by Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart to lead the year-long restoration of the Adjunct Faculty Association. Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart selected and appointed the AFA Restoration Project Tri-Chairs to lead the year-long restoration of the Adjunct Faculty Association (AFA) following the completion of a joint grievance submitted against AFA members. Each of the Tri-Chairs is deeply committed to the College’s Shared Governance structure and to helping the Adjunct Faculty Association rejoin that system as a strong, viable representative organization. Each of the Tri-Chairs brings significant, relevant strengths to the Restoration leadership. Together, the Tri-Chairs have multi-year experience as adjunct faculty, have served as officers and Presidents of both the AFA and Faculty Senate, and have worked closely with other areas of the College in those roles. They have deep, rich experience in shared governance leadership and in effective and less effective organizations. They also have broad, cross-functional experience in departmental, administrative, and project-based leadership. In addition, they bring deep experience in key supporting roles within the College, such as Student Affairs and Counseling. Together, the teams’ deep Association experience, leadership roles, and commitment to fully restoring the AFA for the Fall 2027 semester gave the Chancellor confidence that this team could accomplish his vision for full restoration of the AFA within one year.