Resolve, To Establish the Commission To Study the Use of Adjunct Professors in Maine's Public University and College System

Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: That the Commission To Study the Use of Adjunct Professors in Maine's Public University and College System, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established.

Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 11 members appointed as follows:

1. Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and one of whom is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing;

2. Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, at least one of whom is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and at least one of whom is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing;

3. One member representing the Office of the Governor, appointed by the Governor;

4. One member representing the University of Maine System, appointed by the President of the Senate;

5. One member representing the Maine Community College System, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

6. Two members representing the employee representatives of adjunct professors and professors, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House.

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the commission.

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the commission to meet and conduct its business.

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the commission shall examine and make recommendations on the use of adjunct professors in the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System, including, but not limited to, an examination of:

1. Recruitment and retention issues;

2. Creation of a career path for adjunct professors;

3. Expansion of the role of adjunct professors in student retention and success;

4. Expansion of access to health care for adjunct professors; and

5. Identification of funding needs for the recommendations of the commission.

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission, except that Legislative Council staff support is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than November 4, 2020, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing.

summary

This resolve establishes the Commission To Study the Use of Adjunct Professors in Maine's Public University and College System. The commission is directed to examine and make recommendations on the use of adjunct professors in the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System, including, but not limited to, an examination of recruitment and retention issues, creation of a career path for adjunct professors, expansion of the role of adjunct professors in student retention and success, expansion of access to health care for adjunct professors and identification of funding needs for the recommendations of the commission. The commission must report its findings and recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on Labor and Housing.