Advocating for Equity

In this episode of Amplifying Voices, John Govsky, an Associate faculty member at Cabrillo College, shares his personal journey and insights grappling with the disparities faced by contingent faculty. As a dedicated advocate, he tirelessly campaigns for the rights of part-time faculty. John's fervor lies in advocating for implementing a one-tier system, or Unified Faculty Model, debatably inspired by the Vancouver Model in British Columbia. This proposed system stands in contrast to the existing structure within the California Community Colleges, which privileges full-time faculty while relegating contingent faculty to a subordinate status without avenues for advancement. The essence of the Unified Faculty Model is to bridge this gap among faculty members. Highlighting the prevalence of contingent faculty within the community college system, John emphasizes that today’s arrangement diverges significantly from the intended vision of the "architects" of the higher education system from the 1950s-1960s. His own entry into teaching revealed the hierarchical nature of the employment system, prompting him to deepen his involvement within his union and emerge as a leading advocate for a Unified Faculty Model.