The Columbia Chronicle

Columbia's part-time faculty union will host a virtual town hall open to students and faculty after accusing the college of threatening its members.

BREAKING: Unions accuse administration of sending ‘threats’ to part-time instructors over safety concerns

September 28, 2020

Two unions have accused President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim's administration of sending "threatening and reckless" letters to members of Columbia's part-time faculty union in connection with t...

CFAC refuses to return to campus until ‘fundamental COVID-19 safety concerns’ are addressed

September 22, 2020

Four days after the college announced changes to its reopening plan due to ongoing air assessments and a delay in receiving Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) units, Columbia’s part-time fa...

Columbia addresses “severe financial shortfall” for the upcoming school year

August 14, 2020

Following months of costly expenditures and a loss of revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic and with more losses to come during the fall semester, the college announced a set of budget reduction me...

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...

Diana Vallera, President of the Part-Time Faculty Union, facilitates the collaborative conersation between Columbia students and faculty at the Save Columbia forum Nov. 2 in the 8th floor lounge of 600 S. Michigan Ave.

Illinois coalition of faculty and staff demand remote college instruction for fall

July 24, 2020

Unionized faculty and staff from various public and private Illinois colleges and universities throughout the state—including Columbia's part-time faculty union—are demanding an entirely remo...

Faculty and staff forums provide clarity, but are ‘just the start’ for reopening campus

June 4, 2020

College administrators are openly answering questions and addressing concerns from faculty and staff members during online forums—where steps toward reopening campus through social distancing, red...

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...

Letter to the Editor: The future of CFAC and adjuncts, as told by biology

December 12, 2019

The votes are in, and the incumbent union leadership has managed to maintain control of CFAC, but that is not really what I want to write about here. Instead, I want to offer [readers] some thoughts about the...