FLEX

The flexible calendar is part of the contractual agreement between the District and the United Faculty, designed to provide faculty with paid time to participate in professional development activities. The specific dates for Manatory and Optional Flex activities are settled upon each year by the District in consultation with the United Faculty. These dates occur just before the start of instruction in August and January. Variable Flex activities may take place throughout the academic year.

Faculty have a contractual obligation to complete their Flex hours (i.e. Flex hours are "paid" hours). The number of hours required is based upon faculty load and contract type (adjunct, full-time regular faculty, or first year contract faculty). As per the contract, faculty members may earn a maximum of 8 flex credit hours per calendar day. Flex credit cannot be banked or "made up" from one academic year to the next. Workshop presenters earn double Flex credit.

For more information, see: Flex Categories | Activity Criteria | Flex Obligations

Mandatory Flex: All full-time faculty are required to be on campus for the All-College Days -- August 15, 2008 and January 11, 2009. (10 hours)

Optional Flex days: Adjunct and full-time faculty may choose among a variety of scheduled workshops offered on the designated Optional Flex Days -- August 13 & 14, 2008 and January 9 & 10, 2009 -- or work on a pre-approved special project. (10-15 hours)

Variable Flex: Adjunct and full-time faculty may choose Group and/or Individual Flex activities throughout the academic year. (10-15 hours)

Participation in Variable Flex may occur during the summer (after June 30), recesses, weekends, and on instructional days (after contractual hours completed).

Variable Flex activities include attendance at conferences and other selected on- and off-campus activities as long as they meet one of the Flex/Staff Development Criteria (see below). Faculty will have to provide a WRITTEN and/or PHOTOCOPIED account for Variable Flex credit (e.g. copy of roster or sign-in sheet from the sponsoring department, copy of registration receipt and conference agenda, transcript, ceu certificate, etc.).

Special Projects: Individual and Group Special Project proposals must be pre-approved by the Local Planning Group. The proposal must meet at least one of the approved criteria for staff development activities. The structure and/or nature of the activity should be different than one covered by the Variable Flex category.

The DUE DATE for Special Project proposals for Fall 2008 proposals is May 9, 2008. Forms and instructions are available in the Staff Development Office and online on the Forms page in this website, under Staff Development Forms. (maximum of 15 hours)

The purpose of Staff Development is to "promote staff, student and instructional improvement." According to Title 5 regulations (Division 6, Subchapter 8, Article 2, Section 55724), the activities which college personnel will be engaged in during the designated flex days may include, but need not be limited to, the following:

Course instruction and evaluation
Staff development, in-service-training and instructional improvement
Program and course curriculum or learning resource development and evaluation
Student personnel services
Learning resource services
Related activities, such as student advising, guidance, orientation, matriculation services, and student, faculty and staff diversity
Departmental or division meetings, conferences and workshops, and institutional research
Other duties as assigned by the district
The necessary supporting activities for the above.

State law (Education Code sections 87150-87154) requires that all Flex/Staff Development activities fit within one of the following nine categories. See more detailed explanations and examples on the Grant Applications page.

Improvement of teaching activities.
Maintenance of current academic and technical skills.
In-service training for vocational education and employment preparation programs.
Retraining to meet institutional needs.
Intersegmental exchange programs.
Development of innovation in instructional and administrative techniques and program effectiveness.
Computer and technology proficiency programs.
Courses in training which implement affirmative action and upward mobility.
Other authorized activities in support of the above, including, but not limited to, self esteem and wellness.

Adjunct Faculty: The Flex obligation of adjunct faculty is based on the number of paid hours per week during the semester, the day of the week assigned classes are held, and the academic calendar and its scheduled holidays. Adjunct faculty must complete any required flex hours during the semester they are employed.
Fall 2008: The Flex obligation of adjunct faculty teaching on Saturday or Sunday during the Fall 2008 semester is one hour for each assigned class hour. There is no Flex obligation for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday classes.
Full-Time Faculty: The agreed number of Flex days is 6 days, or 30 hours (based on a day equal to 5 hours).
Fall 2008 AC Flex: Instructors teaching AC Contract Saturday or Sunday during the Fall 2008 semester have a Flex obligation equal to those hours (in addition to their regular flex obligation). Instructors teaching AC Saturday or Sunday classes have no additional Flex obligation.
First-Year Contract Full-Time Faculty: The agreed number of Flex days for regular full-time faculty (6 days, or 30 hours) plus an additional 20 hours of orientation via the Nexus Program (for total of 50 hours). The Staff Development Office will inform these faculty of their commitments.
Classified Staff: Classfied staff do not have any obligation to attend Flex/Staff Development activities, but are encouraged to attend or present. Participation is at the manager's discretion. The manager's signature is required on the registration form.
Managers: Managers do not have any obligation to attend Flex/Staff Development activities, but are encouraged to attend or present.

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STAFF DEVELOPMENT
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FLEX GUIDELINES

Flex Schedule: Fall 2008 Full booklet (pdf) | Fall 2008 At-a-Glance (pdf)

FLEX ACTIVITY CATEGORIES

FLEX/STAFF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES CRITERIA

FLEX HOUR OBLIGATIONS

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