What is a College Advocate?

The Sacramento Chapter recognized a need for coordinating with and across departments on campus. As a result, the College Advocate program was born. Here is a brief Q&A to help you find your connection to the program:

Q: So what is a “College Advocate” and what do they do?

A: The program is meant to give support for colleges and departments in connecting with the union on multiple levels – from contract issues to workload issues, to event communication and advertising, and the like. We like to think of College Advocates as points of contact that help us identify areas where we need to organize together as a union.

Q: Who should be a College Advocate? 

A: Anyone and everyone! No, seriously! Literally anyone can do it. But in essence, the College Advocate is one who is looking for ways to get involved and learn more about the workings of our union, but not have a leadership role. Maybe they want to learn more not just about the union but the workings of the university from a different position. Maybe they just want to be involved in something new! If you connect with any of these, or anything else, then YOU SHOULD BE A COLLEGE ADVOCATE!  

Q: How has the program grown?
A:The number of faculty participating in CFA’s College Advocates is growing this year! Be a part of the growth and positive change. In addition to highlighting our wins last year to increase our membership, College Advocates have spent time identifying key issues where our faculty can be supported to have better working conditions. This semester we discussed the onboarding and inclusion challenges that our lectures can face, as well as the pressures and questions faculty have around issues of academic freedom and freedom of speech. 

Q: What actions have started with College Advocates?
Most recently, as noted above, inclusion of newly hired lecturers has been a focus. In response to these issues, CFA is preparing a lecturer onboarding and intentional inclusion guide for chairs, faculty and administrators. The guide will provide information on how to access materials and resources lecturers need when they start their careers at Sac State, as well as key tips on how departments can be thoughtful and transparent to communicate to lecturers what their participation and voting rights are in decision making. CFA will also offer a space for faculty to learn and discuss their rights around academic freedom and freedom of speech this semester. This all started with a discussion in the College Advocates meetings! 

Q: So should I get involved?
A: YES!!! Do you really want to get your ideas heard? Do you want to help your union create positive change? You should join! We want to hear from you! Support your college. Empower yourself. Empower your colleagues. Build a Stronger Union. 

Join College Advocates today! We meet every first and third week of the month on Tuesdays from 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm OR Thursdays from 1:30 pm to 2:45 pm. Our next meetings are Tuesday October 14 and Thursday October 16. Start helping this week!

If you are interested, email Lina Rincón at lrincon@calfac.org