Article 17: Faculty Responsibilities and Student Success

17.1

The parties recognize faculty as professionals whose primary role is to provide instruction to CNM’s students. Faculty shall continue to be allowed the opportunity for collaborative involvement with their department deans or designees in the development and implementation of operations, functions and work pertaining to full-time faculty class assignments, classroom instruction, and other duty hours to include college service, and the disposition of student complaints.

17.1.1

In that capacity, the parties acknowledge the importance of faculty to pedagogy and all aspects of classroom instruction. In recognition of that importance, faculty may continue to serve on hiring committees for deans and associate deans.

17.1.2

If the College anticipates the lateral transfer of an employee to a dean position, the Labor Relations Officer shall notify the Union. The Union President may request to schedule a meeting with the Vice President of Education and Learning and one other member of CNM’s administration for the sole purpose of sharing faculty input on the impact of the proposed transfer. The request shall be made no later than five (5) days after being notified and shall be coordinated through the College’s Labor Relations Officer.

This commitment to meet shall not be interpreted in a manner that prevents the College and/or Vice President of Education and Learning from taking action following the meeting with the Union President. The Union recognizes the College’s right to make lateral transfers. Upon completion of the process described herein, the Union is not permitted to file a grievance concerning the lateral transfer.

17.2

Faculty are subject matter experts in their respective disciplines who are responsible for teaching and learning. As content experts, the College rely on faculty to address the needs of students and appreciate the efforts put forth by faculty in doing so. As subject matter/content experts, the Faculty Senate reports to and makes recommendations to the Vice President for Education and Learning on pedagogical and curricular issues. However, the parties recognize CNMEU as the sole representative of the faculty on all matters covered in this agreement pertaining to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

17.3

Faculty shall effectively prepare, teach, grade, and assess student learning outcomes in assigned courses, in accordance with the prerogatives, rights, and responsibilities contained in Article 13 on Academic Freedom. This responsibility confers the authority for faculty to participate in the development and review of course and program outcomes and to participate in the development, updating and revision of curriculum.

17.4

The parties support the Governing Board’s Strategic Objective related to student success entitled the “Framework for Quality Education: Principles and Pathways” (aka the Framework). The Framework is a formal voluntary Faculty Professional Development Program, which will be available to all faculty, at the beginning of the 2023 Fall Semester. The parties recognize the Framework as a blueprint for an important new program designed to help improve student outcomes. The parties also recognize that faculty are committed to CNM’s mission and goals, with the College’s primary focus being on student success. To that end, CNM’s objective is as follows:

a) to increase student retention,
b) improve graduation rates,
c) strengthen academic performance, 
d) provide work-based learning, and
e) prepare students for post-graduation success.

17.4.1

All program details and the administrative procedures associated with the “Framework for Quality Education: Principles and Pathways,” will reside in Brightspace and on the CTL Website.

17.5

The parties recognize the importance of these goals and expect faculty to work collaboratively with their dean or designees to develop strategies for their classrooms that are consistent with achieving the above objectives. This includes developing plans for improvement whenever a class or group of classes are not meeting goals as they pertain to student success. The parties acknowledge that the Next Level Success for Students Report is an indicator when assessing student success. Faculty shall have access to this report and other measures of student success.

17.6

The parties agree to develop and implement a Faculty Information Hub as a pilot program, to serve as a depository for information and data that will assist faculty with their instructional responsibilities.

17.6.1

The parties recognize that the Faculty Information Hub is managed by the CNM Faculty Senate, but this in no way authorizes the CNM Faculty Senate to make any determination on or approval of any information that impacts the terms and conditions of employment for employees. CNMEU is the sole representative on all matters contained in this agreement that impact the terms and conditions of employment for faculty at CNM.

17.7

The parties agree that it is the sole responsibility of a full-time faculty member contemplating retirement to exercise due diligence in all aspects of the process of retirement. CNM’s Human Resources (HR) and Payroll departments will provide all necessary forms and undertake all required tasks to fulfill the college’s part of the process, but neither HR nor Payroll can provide financial advice to the employee. The employee has every right to make as many requests as necessary for guidance but the college cannot provide advice or direction about the outcome for the employee. Full-time faculty contemplating retirement are encouraged to communicate with CNM-HR, CNM’s Payroll Department, and the State of New Mexico’s Educational Retirement Board to ensure a smooth retirement experience.