Bill
SD 1505
Launches a time-limited pilot to improve contingent (non-tenure-track) faculty working conditions and career pathways at Massachusetts public colleges, with evaluation.
Status and origin
- Bill number: Senate Docket No. 1505; Senate No. 934
- Title: An Act establishing the public higher education faculty advancement pilot program
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Status: House concurred
- Referred to: Committee on Higher Education (2/27/2025)
Purpose and core idea
- Establish a time-limited public higher education faculty advancement pilot program to evaluate strategies for improving contingent faculty working conditions and career pathways at Massachusetts public institutions of higher education.
Key definitions
- Contingent faculty member: an instructor at a public institution who teaches at least 2 courses per academic year, is paid on a per-course basis, and is not in a tenure-track position.
- Pilot institution: any public institution selected to participate in the program.
- Program: the faculty advancement pilot program established by the bill.
Pilot structure and reforms
- Selection of pilot institutions (competitive process):
- 1 community college
- 1 state university
- 1 campus of the University of Massachusetts
- Reforms to be tested at each pilot institution:
1) Career Advancement Framework
- Creation of two advancement tiers for contingent faculty
- Clear criteria for moving between tiers
- Access to professional development
- Internal pathways to full-time positions
2) Working Conditions Improvements
- Earlier course assignments where feasible
- Shared office space for student meetings
- Access to departmental resources
- Inclusion in departmental communications
3) Limited Benefit Testing
- Pro-rated health insurance for faculty teaching 50% or more of a full-time load
- Professional development funding
- Technology access support
Oversight, evaluation, and reporting
- Oversight and governance:
- An oversight committee chaired by the commissioner of higher education or designee
- 1 representative from each pilot institution
- 3 undergraduate student members (appointed by the board)
- 3 contingent faculty members (appointed by the board)
- 1 representative from the state auditor’s office
- 1 representative from the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts
- 1 representative from the American Federation of Teachers
- 1 representative from the Massachusetts Teachers Association
- 1 expert in higher education employment
- Duties of the oversight committee:
- Monitor implementation costs and feasibility
- Evaluate metrics including faculty retention and satisfaction, administrative efficiency, educational continuity, cost implications, and implementation challenges
- Submit annual reports analyzing program effectiveness, scalability, budget impacts, and recommended modifications
Funding and matching requirements
- Faculty Advancement Pilot Fund (subject to appropriation)
- Initial funding not to exceed $2,000,000 annually
- Distributed via matching grants to pilot institutions
- Used for program administration, direct faculty support, and data collection/evaluation
- Pilot institutions’ obligations:
- Provide matching funds of at least 25%
- Submit detailed expenditure reports
- Participate in program evaluation
- Share implementation findings
Implementation timeline and expiration
- Regulations: The board must promulgate regulations within 180 days of passage
- Start of implementation: Begin by July 1, 2025
- Interim reporting: Preliminary report due by July 1, 2026
- Final recommendations: Due by December 31, 2027
- Expiration: Act takes effect upon passage and expires June 30, 2028, unless extended by law
Impact and scope
- Aims to improve contingent faculty retention, satisfaction, and career pathways; enhance working conditions; and test targeted benefits while assessing costs and scalability for broader adoption. The pilot emphasizes collaboration among faculty, administration, students, unions, and external stakeholders.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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