Federal Work Study (FWS) is a way for students to earn money to pay for school through part-time NECC-approved jobs. Many of these positions are located on campus in Haverhill and Lawrence. Some are with our community partners that are close to campus, like MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center and JumpStart (early childhood education).
What Are the Benefits?
• Students earn money for educational expenses as part of their financial aid award.
• Students gain valuable experience and skills in their area of study to the extent possible.
• Your employer knows you are a college student first. Employers are encouraged to be as flexible as possible and work around your class schedule.
• Because FWS is a need-based financial aid program, FWS income (although taxable) does not affect your future financial aid eligibility.
Courtesy of Career Services
Applying on Handshake:
Available FWS jobs are posted on Handshake, NECC’s job and internship board. Use your MyNECC login to get started! https://necc.joinhandshake.com/
Once you log in, select jobs and use the filter to select the “Work Study” checkbox. Review the open opportunities and submit your resume to the opportunities you are interested in working. An NECC employee will follow up with more details and potentially invite you to an interview.
Not seeing FWS positions? Contact the Financial Aid office to confirm your eligibility. financialaid@necc.mass.edu
Starting your first resume or looking for feedback? Schedule a meeting with Career Services through Navigate.
My Experience as a Federal Work Study Student
Opinion article by Robert Suriel (written May 2023)
Hello! My name is Robert Suriel, and I am writing an opinion piece as a work-study in Career Services. A Federal Work Study Job is for college students with financial needs, allowing them to earn money to help pay for expenses related to their education. I knew when I was eligible to work as a work-study when I got financial aid and confirmed with the Financial Aid office if I was eligible.
When starting a Work Study, it’s important to consider your college schedule as different departments may have varying flexibility regarding remote work or working hours outside of 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Time management: Take note of the number of classes you have and assess whether you can effectively balance your homework and work responsibilities. If you have a heavy course load, it may be challenging to handle additional work without negatively impacting your grades. Be mindful of the workload you can handle in a week.
2. Effective communication: Keep your supervisors informed about your class schedule. If there are emergencies or exams that clash with your work schedule, communicate with your supervisors promptly. Discuss the possibility of rescheduling or inform them in advance about your unavailability due to exams or other commitments. Prioritize your education, and as a work-study student, your exams and classes are a top priority.
Remember, the best ways to contact your supervisors are through email, Microsoft Teams, or a quick phone call to notify them about any exams or schedule conflicts.
By managing your time effectively and maintaining open communication with your supervisors, you can navigate your work-study experience more smoothly.
Advice for searching for a work-study job
When using Handshake, simply login to your student account and explore the available job opportunities. Exercise caution when applying and ensure you have a clear understanding of the roles you are applying for. Additionally, consider your mode of transportation, as some positions may require reliable access to a car. It’s important to verify the legitimacy of the places you apply to and consider the transportation options available to you.
Creating a well-crafted resume is crucial when applying for any job. If you need assistance in writing a resume, there are various options to consider. NECC Career Services comes highly recommended as they offer support in resume and cover letter writing, along with resources for interview preparation and more. If you are just getting started, you can utilize ChatGPT to generate a skeleton draft for practice purposes. You can edit it to make it your own and connect with NECC Career Services for feedback.
By being mindful of these factors and utilizing available resources, you can navigate the job application process more effectively.
Perhaps some of you will recognize the expression from “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurth Vonnegut.
I’ve been time tripping ever since Hamas’ attack of October 7th:it’s as if I’m back in the movement against the Vietnam war.
Every bomb dropped by Israel explodes in my mind, with no end is in sight.As an aging antiwar activist, I remember all too well the anger and despair at the more than 7.5 million tons of bombs dropped on Vietnam.Those feelings have returned.
What makes it especially difficult now is that I feel complicit in Israel’s attack on Gaza.My tax dollars, after all, pay for the bombs used by Israel in the Gaza Strip.And because of the horrendous attack by Hamas on hundreds of civilians, Israel has garnered much sympathy in the U.S. Before rushing to join the pro-war crowd, however, we might want to ask ourselves a few questions.
• Is it possible to achieve the complete destruction of Hamas given the support of much of the Gaza population for resistance to Israeli occupation? Could it not be argued that for each civilian killed, two more will take their place?
• Is it possible to understand the current situation without taking into account the context of the 1948 Nakba (catastrophe) in which Palestinians were driven off their land to make way for Israeli settlers?
• Is there a real moral difference between an intentional massacre on the one hand and, on the other hand, the technological massacre now raining down on Gaza, with 10,000 killed thus far and more to come?
• Is it necessary to factor in the danger of a wider war, with the possible use of weapons of mass destruction?If, God forbid, Israel were to strike Iran, what would happen next? Does anyone know?
• Whatever happened to the idea of peace and negotiations?Since unconditional surrender seems unlikely, the only viable alternative is some kind of compromise, though neither side seems particularly interested.
I submit that in the long run either a two-state solution or a binational state (as advocated by, among others, the famous philosopher Martin Buber) is preferable to the present configuration.
And in the short run, a cease-fire is urgently necessary to stop the technological massacre now being perpetrated on residents of Gaza.We should call on our representatives to support HR 786 for a cease-fire and de-escalation.Let’s not forget the lessons of Vietnam!
In a potential second term, the twice impeached, 4 times indicted, sexual abusing fraud of a former President Donald Trump and his associates reportedly plan to use the federal government to target high-profile critics if he secures a second term.
Trump wants the Department of Justice to investigate individuals who criticized his first administration, including former Chief of Staff John Kelly, former attorney General Bill Barr, former White House council Ty Cobb, and former Chief of Joint Staff General Mark Milley. Additionally, Trump’s allies are considering using the Insurrection Act and bypassing policies to block criminal prosecutions. These plans, known as “Project 2025,” have raised concerns about the implications of using the government for political vengeance.
The ongoing threat to American democracy and the rule of law is posed by a plan to seize power and dismantle democratic institutions. This plan includes targeting political opponents and critics, taking control of the Justice Department, and deploying the military against demonstrations. It highlights the continued support for this plan from Trump’s base, Republican leadership, lawyers, and policy professionals, despite Trump’s criminal behavior and rejection of democratic principles. The text of project 2025 emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the need for voters to decide the future of American democracy in the upcoming elections.
Project 2025 is a controversial initiative that has sparked widespread concern due to its potential erosion of democratic norms. The plans to use the federal government to target high-profile critics and individuals who criticized the Trump administration have raised serious questions about the abuse of power and the independence of the Justice Department. Moreover, the consideration of using the Insurrection Act and bypassing policies to block criminal prosecutions has further fueled fears about the implications of political vengeance within the government.
Project 2025, led by the Heritage Foundation, has unveiled a manifesto titled “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise,” which espouses highly conservative and anti-LGBTQ+ views. The manifesto advocates for stringent measures against LGBTQ+ issues and individuals, including criminal penalties for pornography, outlawing pornography, and rescinding regulations prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. While the extreme implications of the manifesto may not be immediately enforceable, its influence could potentially shape the policies of a future Republican administration if elected, impacting the LGBTQ+ community significantly.
Under Project 2025, if a media outlet has any negative news about the disgraced ex-president, Trump will have them investigated and will do what he can to shut it down. This mirrors what Dictator presidents like Vladimir Putin does in Russia, Kim Jung Un in North Korea, and Xi Jinping does in China, illuminating any public source that does not follow Trumps authoritarian agenda.
In addition to targeting inividuals who criticized the Trump administration, Project 2025 also includes plans to investigate media outlets that are not aligned with Trump and to investigate and jail President Biden just because Trump is under investigation and Trump hates that Joe Biden has come out squeaky clean so far from the Republicans investigation. These alarming intentions have alarmed many observers, who argue that such actions would resemble a “banana republic” and go against the principles of a free press and the peaceful transition of power, which are fundamental to a functioning democracy.
Under Project 2025, if a media outlet has any negative news about the disgraced ex-president, Trump will have them investigated and will do what he can to shut it down. This mirrors what Dictator presidents like Vladimir Putin does in Russia, Kim Jung Un in North Korea, and Xi Jinping does in China, illuminating any public source that does not follow Trumps authoritarian agenda.
The potential use of Project 2025 to arrest people who Trump believes wronged him, such as General Mark Milley, John Kelly, Bill Barr, and others, has raised serious concerns about the abuse of presidential power and the erosion of democratic norms. The notion of using the federal government to settle personal scores and target political opponents has been widely criticized for its authoritarian undertones and potential damage to the institutions of democracy.
Furthermore, the plan to investigate and jail President Biden represents a direct threat to the peaceful transfer of power and the functioning of American democracy. Such actions would set a dangerous precedent and undermine the democratic principles that form the foundation of the United States’ political system. The use of government institutions to pursue personal vendettas and undermine political opponents is antithetical to the values of democracy and the rule of law, which we know MAGA republicans really do not believe in democracy or the rule of law.
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. The fate of American democracy hangs in the balance, and the upcoming elections will play a crucial role in determining its future. The need for voters to decisively reject the erosion of democratic norms and the abuse of power cannot be overstated. The potential consequences of allowing Project 2025 to proceed unchecked are dire, and it is essential for the American public to stand up in defense of democratic values and the rule of law.
The widespread concern and condemnation of Project 2025 reflect a deep-seated commitment to upholding democratic values and safeguarding the rights of all individuals. The initiative’s potential to erode democratic norms and target political opponents has sparked intense debate and ideological divisions within American politics.
It is imperative for the American people to remain vigilant and actively defend the principles that form the bedrock of a free and democratic society. The stakes are high, and the outcome of this ongoing struggle will have far-reaching implications for the future of American democracy.
Wait there’s more. The proposed job classification known as Schedule F aimed to increase the President’s control over the federal career civil service. However, it was widely criticized for potentially politicizing the bureaucracy and was ultimately repealed. The repeal of Schedule F underscores the importance of upholding democratic values and preserving the independence of government institutions. The initiative faced strong opposition due to concerns about its potential to undermine the merit-based civil service system and introduce partisan influence into the federal workforce.
The controversial aspects of Project 2025, including its potential erosion of democratic norms and its use of government institutions to target political opponents, have raised serious concerns about the future of American democracy. The initiative’s stance on climate policy and its potential impact on future generations, combined with its transphobic and anti-LGBTQ+ aspects, have further fueled the intense debate surrounding its implications. The repeal of Schedule F serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding democratic values and safeguarding the rights of all individuals in the face of challenges to the institutions that underpin the United States’ democratic system. It is essential for the American public to remain vigilant and actively defend the principles of democracy, as the outcome of this ongoing struggle will have profound implications for the future of the nation.
In recent months, James Comer, a Kentucky Republican representative and Chairman of the Oversite Committee, has been vocal in his accusations of corruption against President Joe Biden. Comer repeatedly highlighted a $200,000 personal loan that Biden gave to his brother, James Biden, as evidence of shady business practices within the Biden family.
However, a deeper investigation reveals a stunning display of hypocrisy on Comer’s part.Reports have uncovered that Comer himself had made a similar $200,000 loan to his own brother, raising questions about his own questionable financial dealings.
James Comer has consistently accused President Joe Biden of corruption, alleging that Biden profited from illicit international business dealings. Comer specifically homed in on two personal loan repayments made by James Biden to his brother, totaling $240,000. These transactions occurred in 2017 and 2018, when Joe Biden was neither in office nor a candidate for presidency. Despite the lack of evidence linking these loans to any nefarious activities, Comer has relentlessly attempted to paint them as proof of the president’s unethical conduct.
While James Comer has been quick to condemn Joe Biden for the loans to his brother, it has come to light that Comer himself engaged in similar financial transactions with his own brother. A closer examination of Kentucky property records reveals a series of land swaps between Comer and his brother related to their family farming business. These exchanges involved a loan of $200,000, highlighting the glaring hypocrisy of Comer’s accusations against Biden.
According to the Daily Beast, Comer and his brother were involved in land swaps and questionable business practices. In one instance, Chad Comer bought out James Comer’s half of an inherited Kentucky property for $100,000. However, just five months later, James and his wife, Tamara “TJ” Comer, purchased the property back from Chad for $218,000. This buyout resulted in Chad Comer receiving an unexplained additional $18,000 above the property’s total value.
In another transaction, James Comer gifted his brother his share of two inherited pieces of land, with a value of $175,000. Astonishingly, the cost of this transaction was only $1. Subsequently, Chad Comer applied for a significant tax break on the gifted land and then gifted James Comer a more valuable piece of land in return. These convoluted exchanges raise serious questions about the ethical nature of Comer’s financial dealings.
James Comer’s hypocrisy becomes even more apparent when considering his political positions and conflicts of interest. Prior to his election to Congress in 2016, Comer served as a member of Kentucky’s state legislature Agriculture Committee for eight years. He then went on to become the Kentucky agriculture commissioner. Once in Congress, Comer was a member of the House Agriculture Committee and even negotiated the Farm Bill, which increased federal support for American farmers.
During this time, Comer was actively engaged in the agricultural industry, while also managing his family farming business. The overlap between his political roles and his private business raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and whether he used his positions to benefit his own financial endeavors. It is evident that Comer’s actions contradict the principles he claims to uphold.
Scrutiny of James Comer’s business activities reveals a series of puzzling discrepancies. The Daily Beast discovered that Comer allegedly runs multiple businesses that do not appear to exist on paper. For instance, the company he co-owned with his father and brother, Comer Land & Cattle, has no business filings under that name in Kentucky. Similarly, his personal agriculture company, James Comer Jr. Farms, cannot be found in official records.
Notably, when Comer purchased land from his brother, the transaction involved a shell company named Farm Team Properties, LLC, owned by Comer and his wife. The existence of these mysterious entities and the lack of official documentation raise concerns about the transparency and legitimacy of Comer’s business practices.
Given the revelations surrounding James Comer’s own financial dealings, his accusations against Joe Biden appear hollow and hypocritical. While Comer has relentlessly attacked Biden for the $200,000 loan to his brother, he conveniently ignores his own involvement in similar transactions. It is clear that Comer’s actions do not align with the standards he seeks to impose on others.
Unsurprisingly, Democrats were quick to highlight Comer’s hypocrisy and call for his own investigation. Congressman Jared Moskowitz humorously recreated Comer’s video of signing subpoenas, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. Congressman Eric Swalwell went a step further, urging Comer to subpoena himself and referring to the loan as “highly suspicious.” The exposure of Comer’s double standards has brought into question his credibility and integrity as a lawmaker.
It is essential to note that the Republican-led investigation into the Biden family’s business dealings has been ongoing for over 10 months. Despite their efforts, they have failed at every turn to produce any concrete evidence directly implicating Joe Biden in any wrongdoing. News organizations, including CNN,
The Wall Street Journal, FactCheck.org, and the conservative-leaning Washington Examiner, have debunked the allegations made by Republicans.In response to the subpoenas issued by James Comer and other House Republicans, the White House accused them of abusing their power to conduct a partisan smear campaign.
They emphasized that extreme House Republicans should focus on their responsibilities instead of pursuing baseless attacks on the president and his family. This response highlights the frustration felt by the Biden administration over the relentless and unfounded scrutiny they have faced.The exposure of James Comer’s hypocrisy regarding the $200,000 loan to his brother has cast doubt on the legitimacy of his accusations against Joe Biden. Comer’s involvement in similar financial transactions and questionable business practices undermines his credibility as a lawmaker. The stark double standards exhibited by Comer reveal a disconcerting lack of integrity. It is imperative that politicians be held accountable for their actions, and Comer’s actions warrant further scrutiny.
The Knights women’s basketball team will take the court for the first time since the 2009-2010 season. The inability to field a complete Roster had left the program dead in the water. However, after a decade of recruiting and inquiriesamong students the program has been resurrected.
Hired to navigate the revived program is Malaquias Carney. The Lawrence native played for his high school basketball team and four seasons at Clarkson
The 2023-2024 Women’s basketball players NECC website
university. In 2019 he founded MAC basketball which focuses on empowering and educating players through basketball. Carney has also worked with Lawerence high school, Pingree school, Hamilton-Welham. In addition, he works with playmaking New England AAU. He has also served as an assistant coach under Darren Stratton. This will be Carney’s first role as a head coach.
“I have always been an assistant and in the gym kind of guy, so I have always been able to be crazy and myself. I think I’m always going to be myself but just trying to figure out how that looks like a head coach. It’s going to be a fun journey I know I was built for this,” said Carney.
Throughout the last several weeks, each of the players have developed a strong bond and connected through playing and practice together.
“We all kind of clicked because we were all the same age and in the same situation where we played basketball and then stopped playing for a few years. Now we’re coming back and so everyone is coming back into the social aspect of the game. We have bonded over that” Emma Ruggerio of Chelmsford, MA Said.
“All the girls on the team are very outgoing, no one is closed off, so we all got to know each other” Iesha Burgos of Haverhill, MA added
NECC’s long battle with numbers isn’t over, the hope is that this will be the foundation of a basketball program for years to come.
Three Knights players on a bench NECC website
“We want to grow and have that growth allow us to recruit a new crop of talented players and keep the program running,” said Carney. “It’s really about longevity, it’s not just having one good year or two we’re trying to build something that can keep going and doesn’t go away this time,” said Carney
Women’s basketball will play their home opener on Nov 26th against Suffolk community college. The first tip is set for 4:00 p.m.
A team photo of The Knights celebrating their win NECC athletics website
The Knights punched their ticket to the NJCAA tournament on Oct 29 with a three-set sweep over the community college of Rhode Island. The region 21 championship match victory secure a 2023 region district title, NECC’s first since 2018. The tournament takes place on Nov 9th and 10th in Cedar Rapids, IH.
In the match The Knights (23-0) defeated CCRI with ease in three sets. The first set was 25-9, the second 25-14 and the final set 25-8.
The Knights struck first with a kill by Abigail Heredia of Lawerence, MA In set one. CCRI responded with a point of their own to even the score at 1-1. A 6-1 Knights run followed to lead 7-2. A 5-2 run gave NECC a commanding 12-4 lead. CCRI picked up a point by a miscue from NECC. A 5-2 run from The Knights was highlighted by three kills fromHeredia. A six-point run ended the set 25-9.
NECC picked up where they left off jumping out to a 3-0 start in set 2. CCRI collected a point through a service error by Chantel Melgen of Lawerence, MA. Each team traded points leading to a 4-2 Knights lead. The Knights started to pull away on an 8-4 run for a 12-4 Knights advantage. CCRI chipped away at the deficit collecting four points to trail by four 12-8. A kill by Telaviv Nunez assisted by Vielka Sanchez both of Lawerence, MA to extend the lead 21-11. The Knights closed match on a 4-3 run to win 25-14 and claimed a 2-0 set edge
The third and final set was much of the same, NECC lead on a 12-2 run to start the set. The run was broken up by a kill from CCRI. A 12- 4 run put NECC within a point of victory. Sanchez hit a rocket over the net for an ace to win the match and the regional championship.
Heredia had a team high 11 kills and a .579 kill percentage.
On the defensive end Melgen and Lirianys Rosario of Lawerence recorded seven digs each.
The most outstanding regional player award was given to Sanchez. Sanchez collected 10 aces and four kills in the match.
Men’s basketball will begin their season with their first midnight madness event in program history. The event took place on Nov 1st, the first official game of the NJCAA season.
The Knights finished 31-1 and made their first national tournament appearance in program history. This has created excitement around the program that has never been greater. Although they fell short of their goal of a championship,they are looking to avenge the loss by making it further this season.
A group of Knights players NECC website
“We had a pretty good run last year, but we did not achieve our ultimate goal of a national championship and we can see everyone is hungry for that already” said sophomore Ata Savas Kurtulus of Turkey.
Already The Knights have received national recognition. They were ranked fifth nationally by the NJCAA men’sbasketball committee. This is the first time the program has ever been nationally recognized in the preseason.
The roster has turned over quite a bit from last. However, a duo of from last year’s squad, first team All-Americanmember Luis Reynoso of Lawerence, and team Captain Darlin Santiago are prepared to take on leadership roles.
“If I mess up and my teammates mess up, I will let them know they got it next time. I will let them put their heads down and keep competing,” said Santiago.
Reynoso had an incredible 2022-2023 campaign. He was named to thefirstteam All-American. He averaged a team high of 19 points per game, 13 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
The projected starting five are guards Santiago, freshman Jalen Aquino of Lawerence, MA Edwin SamMbaka of Paris,France. Reynoso who will start at forward and freshman Karl Wolfgang of Douala, Cameron will play at the center position
Leading this roster is head coach Darren Stratton. Stratton will enter his 21st season across two stints with NECC.During his tenure he has an all-time record of (288-202). Stratton was also named the NJCAA east district coach of the year last season.
Notable games on the schedule include midnight madness on Nov 1st at the fitness center. The NECC Turkey classic on Nov 25th against SNUY Adirondack and Nov 26th vs Suffolk community college. The Knights will wrap up the regular season against Bristol community college away on Feb 24th.
Once the clock struck midnight on Nov 1st the Northern Essex basketball team took the court to face Bunker hillCommunity college in what was the first midnight madness event in program history. In the early morning hours, The Knights defeated The Bull dogs 95-55 in a dominating fashion.
NECC looked rusty early on trailing 7-4. The sluggish start urged head coach Darren Stratton to call a timeout. Following the timeout, The Knights found their footing turning the three-point deficit into a 13-point lead, 20-7. A pair of free throws by Bunker Hill at the 10-minute mark broke the streak.
The Knights then went on a 17-2 run for a 37-11 advantage. This shifted the momentum completely towards NECC.
A buzzer beating shot from behind the arc by freshmen Kyoya Sasaki of Tokyo, Japan put the Knights up 52-20 as they entered halftime.
NECC took a moment during the break to recognize the Volleyball team for their 2023 region district title and upcoming tournament in Cedar Rapids, IA. Head coach Francesca Nival, and four players Abigail Heredia, YenelisBeltre, Telaviv Nunez and Chantel Melgen all of Lawerence, stood on center court to receive the nod.
The Knights held The Bull dogs scoreless the first three minutes into the half. A lay up at the basket by a Bunker Hill ended their drought. In the next six minutes Bunker hill kept pace outscoring the Knights 12-9, 64-32 Knights.
Across the final seven m
Knights’ Luis Reynoso attempts a two-pointer | NECC Observer
inutes The Knights went on a 25-9 run for the 95-55 win over Bunker hill.
Returning First team All-American Luis Reynoso of Lawerence, MA led the team in points and rebounds with 15 and 12 respectively. Sasaki had an impressive college debut with 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Sophomore guard Darlin Santiago of Salem, MA chipped in with double digit points with 11.
As a team, The Knights Impressed offensively shooting 43.4 percent and on defense holding The Bull dogs to just 23.2 percent in the game.
Fans during the midnight madness event | NECC Observer
Faculty and staff hold an informational picket, with signs that say “Fair Pay for Community College Educators” outside the TC building at the NECC Haverhill campus on Nov. 1. Photo by Melissa Ferris
Professors and staff are under “Work to Rule,” as of press time for the Observer, on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
They say they are protesting being underpaid, not receiving a raise since 2021 and currently working without a contract.
Faculty and staff members of the Massachusetts Community College Council – MCCC Union held signs that read “Work to Rule” on Nov. 1 at President Lane Glenn’spizza meeting, in front of the TC building at the Haverhill campus. A similar group stood under the rain, in front of the Dimitry building on the Lawrence campus on Nov. 9.
What is Work to Rule
Faculty and staff members of the MCCC Union are not allowed to strike.
“We are stuck. All we can do is Work to Rule,” said English Professor Tom Greene, who is the day grievance coordinator for the NECC union.
Work to Rule means that they will follow only what is intheir job descriptions, which is, besides teaching and grading students’ papers, working according to their office hours, advising assigned students and attending some meetings.
Any email or students’ questions after hours, or their participation in events or committees as volunteer advisers or mentors would be avoided. These extra tasks are done voluntarily as they work above and beyond on behalf of students. They have adopted this measure since Oct. 24.
They have also held informational pickets, which they hope will help to draw the legislators’ attention to find a solution to their problems.
“Our hope through Work to Rule is to not hurt the students because it’s not the student’s fault that we’re in this predicament,” said English Professor Patricia Portanova, the vice president of the NECC union.
Why are faculty and staff “stuck”
“I think the public doesn’t know that we’re so poorly paid. I would hope that the public would support a fair wage for their educators,” stated Portanova.
Most of the faculty and staff at NECC and 14 other community colleges across the state are part of the MCCC Union.
The board of the union and the board of Higher Education negotiate raises and contracts. The governor submits a proposed budget to the state Legislature.That needs to be ratified by legislators, it must be approved by both the House and Senate, when the money should then be distributed to faculty and staff through their paychecks.
On Nov 9, the House of Representatives sent the supplemental budget with the MCCC contract to the Senate for passage. The Senate passed it the evening of Nov. 14, however there is a disagreement between the House and Senate about funding for the state’s emergency shelter system so the supplemental budget was not sent back to the governor by Wednesday, the last scheduled meeting day for the Legislature before their holiday break. It’s unclear when the supplemental budget will now be sent to the governor, as the Legislature is not scheduled to meet again until January.
Glenn, NECC president, told the Observer he has communicated with legislators to encourage them to pass the budget.
On Nov. 16 he sent an email to faculty and staff that said he and the other college presidents have all sent formal entreaties to legislators urging them to address the issue.
He said that since the contract funding is included in the budget but that it could be 2024 before the bill is passed, they are moving forward to pay the new pay rates and COVID bonuses in the Dec. 8 payroll and retroactive payments in the Dec. 22 payroll.
This contract, 2021-2023, has been negotiated since 2021 with an increase of 2%, until last February when it was approved, but had already expired last June. Community college faculty and staff have been waiting for retroactive pay for those raises from 2021 and 2022.
In addition to that, “we started negotiating our 2023 contract over the summer and already the state has not put together a strong negotiating team. So, we’re already behind on negotiating our next contract,” explained Portanova. Faculty and staff are working without a contract at this moment.
“However, we have worked many, many years without a contract,” emphasized Business Professor Sheila Muller.
On top of it, “we are still waiting for a COVID bonus of $1,500” noted English Professor Ginger Hurajt.
Source: Analysis of U.S. Department of Education IPEDS data prepared by ASA Research | Council for Comunity and Economic Research.
Community college faculty salary far below the cost of living in Massachusetts
Beyond the painstakingly slow process of getting paid late, faculty and staff in community colleges in Massachusetts are paid lower salaries than their counterparts in some other states, when the cost of living is taken into account.
As the cost of living in Massachusetts has skyrocketed in the last 10 years, including inflation, the 2% raise does not keep pace with the basic expenses of living in this area. According to the MCCC – NECC chapter, “other higher education unions in Massachusetts have been offered, and accepted, an 8% per year annual raise – including some members of other unions at NECC. The MCCC union was the only state higher education union that was not included in the 8% offer.”
The chart with this article shows the cost-of-living index in Massachusetts is $133,000 (red), while the average salary for community college faculty, $69,152 (green). Living in Massachusetts is nearly as expensive as living in California, $135,000 (first blue left), with the big difference that California faculty wage surpasses $101,000, over 46% more than their colleagues in Massachusetts.
State universities in Massachusetts have less workload and are paid significantly higher than their counterparts in community colleges with same credentials and experience, according to NECC faculty.
“UMass’es professors are making 30-40% more roughly than we make in community colleges. Our teaching load is 10 classes a year, their teaching load is between 5 to 7 classes a year. Most community colleges around the country are 8 classes a year. As a result, the important point is, because we cannot make ends meet on a base salary, most full-time professors take overload classes. For example, I have my base load of 10 classes, and I teach another 7 or 8 extra classes so I can make means to cover my expenses. The pay has been going down and down with inflation and the workload up and up to make up to the pay, and this hurts the students because if I have twice as many students, I have as much as half time to spend with them. If we would get paid a competitive wage, then we would be able to spend more time after class with our students,” stated Greene.
Difficulties in hiring new professionals and finding volunteers
Salaries are so low that it is a titanic job hiring for new positions or retaining new talent, according to NECC faculty.
Candidates either drop out of the hiring process as soon as they learn the salary, or they stay six months or a year until they find something else, Greene said. In addition, it is hard to find volunteers among faculty and staff as they have low morale due to low pay and being overbooked with lots of responsibilities around campus, he said.
MassReconnect
Without a doubt MassReconnect is a great opportunity that can benefit around 8,000 students across the 15 community colleges in Massachusetts.
MassReconnect allows students 25 and older without a college degree to attend community colleges for free.
However, Gov. Maura T. Healey should take into consideration the request of their educators.
Portanova said offering free college to a large percentage of our population “is a beautiful, amazing new initiative,” but she questioned “how are we supposed to invest in the success of those students if we’re not investing in faculty and staff who are there to support?”
In agreement with this concern, Muller stated, “If you’re going to bring more students, you also have to be able to serve equitably and humanely with the same accommodation for the faculty.”
Why are they staying?
Due to the unfair pay, faculty and staff are almost pushed to “live like Thoreau in Walden,” said professor Hurajt. Since 1998, however, she has loved teaching in NECC as there is support at every level, from courses through honors-level courses for students. Hurajt, MA, teaches English and is the Honors Program coordinator.
Portanova, MA, PhD, stated, “It’s probably the most rewarding job you could do because you get to serve others and you get to help others succeed in their goals and that’s such an amazing opportunity.”
Muller’s profile says that she takes pride in her students evolving into confident and self-reliant individuals. Her credentials include MBA, chair of Department of Business and Accounting, chair Executive Committee and All College Assembly.
“My dream is that the place where I am in, the place where I like to teach, the place that I really come to love in the last 15 years (NECC) would pay me the salary that I should get. That would be my dream. So I’m holding out hoping that the state come true, and trying to do everything that I can to encourage them to do that,” said Greene, MFA, PhD, chair of Department of English.
As of Nov. 16, the statewide union was urging members to attend a rally Nov. 17 at Bridgewater State and another at the State House on Nov. 20 to urge the legislators to pass the budget before Thanksgiving. They are also asking members and supporters to contact their legislators.
If you want to support your professor or staff in your community college, please visit this site: bit.ly/MCCCpetition23 and sign up for their petition “Fair Pay for Community College Educators.”
