The Columbia Chronicle

A panel of experts offer science-based information about the reality of returning to in-person school instruction during a pandemic, and why they believe remote instruction is the safe choice.

Dangers of return to in-person classes remain unmitigated, experts say

August 5, 2020

Three days ago Columbia had nearly 50% of Fall 2020 semester courses listed under in-person instruction and had what some considered insufficient ventilation for buildings in place. But as of Tuesday, th...

Members of the Illinois Education Association and Illinois Federation of Teachers are willing to strike in the fall if demands for a proper and safe reopening of schools are not met.

Illinois’ education unions willing to strike to ensure safe reopening; CFAC to co-host town hall next week

July 31, 2020

Two of Illinois’ largest unions representing teachers and educational professionals, the Illinois Education Association and Illinois Federation of Teachers, are willing to strike if schools do not m...

Columbia part-time faculty union president Diana Vallera.

Part-time faculty to receive additional payment for online transition; college to limit ‘surveillance’ of instructors

April 14, 2020

Part-time faculty will receive an additional week of compensation for their work in transitioning courses online during Columbia's three-week "pause." The union representing part-time faculty member...

College and CFAC agree to working conditions during ‘extraordinary circumstances’

March 27, 2020

"Extraordinary circumstances" have propelled the college and the part-time faculty union to agree to a memorandum of understanding outlining expectations regarding remote learning and compensation....

Chronicle Headlines: CFAC’s Steering Committee looks ahead

February 5, 2020

In December, more than half of part-time faculty union members who voted reelected the incumbent slate after a contentious election. The re-elected slate, Standing United, includes: President Dian...

Letter to the Editor: After CFAC election, ‘it’s time to move on,’ says adjunct

December 16, 2019

I’m going to ask for a cease-fire in union wars with no more commentary on either sides’ motives or dedication to Columbia. It’s time to move on. If anyone wants to know what support and tangible...

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor count ballots for the CFAC election in the CTU Headquarters, 1901 W Carroll Ave, Monday, Dec. 9.

Standing United slate maintains hold of CFAC leadership positions

December 9, 2019

Updated 12/10/19 at 2:22 p.m. with comment from the Standing United slate and official results from the Department of Labor. After weeks of contentious campaigning in an election overseen by t...

Part three: CFAC candidates address concerns, issues

December 4, 2019

Editor's Note: This is part three of a three-part series introducing the part-time faculty members running for leadership positions for CFAC in the December election. Part one addresses the candidates' journeys to teaching at Columbia; part two addresses the chan...

Part two: CFAC candidates on the future of the union

December 2, 2019

Editor's Note: This is part two of a three-part series introducing the part-time faculty members running for leadership positions for CFAC in the December election. Part one addresses the candidates' journeys to teaching at Columbia; part three will address all...

(From left on couch) Derek Fawcett and Christopher Thale are two of four members running on an opposition slate called Reform CFAC for the December union elections.

Reform CFAC slate addresses concerns from union members: dues, officer compensation, transparency

November 27, 2019

The first thing Derek Fawcett will do if he is elected president of the Columbia part-time faculty union in December is release the union’s financial books to demonstrate how much debt the union is ...

Part One: CFAC candidates on teaching at Columbia

November 27, 2019

Editor's Note: This is part one of a three-part series introducing the part-time faculty members running for leadership positions for CFAC in the December election. Part two will address the candidates' ideas for the union, if elected; part three will address alle...

Letter to the Editor: Wrongly-expelled CFAC members have a right to participate in elections

November 24, 2019

Last fall, I was one of five CFAC members who received notifications of “charges” by an anonymous accuser and were summoned to appear before a newly—seemingly hastily—formed Integrity Committee....