Faculty in dismay as college mulls cutting hours due to Obamacare

Proposal suggests the school limit adjunct faculty hours to avoid having to pay benefits

Faculty decried the proposal during a Nov. 2 board meeting

No final decision has been made

Austin Community College (ACC) employees are in dismay over a late November memo that suggests the school cut adjunct faculty hours due to Obamacare. 

The Nov. 25 proposal recommends that adjunct faculty work no more than 28 hours per week so the school would not have to pay them full health benefits, according to an article in Community Impact, a local newspaper. The ACA requires employers offer benefits to anyone working 30 or more hours per week. 

The administration would be allowed to make exceptions.

Almost a half-dozen people spoke at a Dec. 2 board meeting, alleging that the proposal contradicts ACC board policy which requires that the college have adequate faculty to accomplish its mission. Some threatened to campaign against future bond elections if the policy is approved. 

The board members did not reach a decision on the proposal during the meeting, and will discuss the issue formally on Jan. 21.

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