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S 2880

An Act relative to adjunct faculty in public higher education

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Barrett and 13 co-sponsors

Establishes a Full-Time Faculty Pilot Fund to create new full-time positions at public colleges/universities and builds a commission to extend benefits to impacted adjunct faculty.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 2880

Summary of S. 2880 — An Act relative to adjunct faculty in public higher education

Overview

S. 2880, introduced September 18, 2025, seeks to address employment conditions of adjunct and impacted adjunct faculty in Massachusetts public higher education by creating a pilot program to expand full-time faculty positions and by establishing a commission to study and guide benefits for impacted adjuncts. The bill was reported favorably by the Senate Higher Education Committee and referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Primary sponsors include primary sponsor Gary Peters and cosponsor Jon Husted.

Key objectives

  • Increase the use of full-time faculty by funding a pilot program that creates new full-time positions at public colleges and universities.
  • Improve employment standards and benefits for adjunct and “impacted adjunct” faculty (those who work half-time or more across public institutions).

What the bill would do (major provisions)

Section 15H — Full-Time Faculty Pilot Fund and Pilot Program

  • Establishes a Full-Time Faculty Pilot Fund to be administered by the Department of Higher Education.
  • Fund sources: appropriations designated to the fund, interest, and private gifts/grants. Private funds must be approved and reviewed to ensure they do not condition hiring or academic operations.
  • Authorized use: competitive, one-time grants to public institutions to create 1 new full-time faculty position. Grants cover salary and related personnel costs only.
  • Evaluation criteria for grants: demonstrated institutional capacity and need, readiness to support the position, and financial sustainability after grant funds expire. Regional equity must be considered to distribute funds across the state.
  • Distribution goals: fund at least one campus in each of three segments (University of Massachusetts, state universities, and community colleges).
  • Post-hire reporting (within 6 months): grant recipients must report on benefits/challenges, recruitment processes, impact on adjunct faculty (including any reductions/elimination of impacted adjunct positions), fringe benefits funding, and recommendations to improve the hiring process and balanced use of adjuncts.
  • Post-grant reporting (within 1 year after funds are released): the department must analyze results and provide recommendations to improve hiring of full-time faculty, balance adjunct utilization, and address fringe benefits. This section also requires the text of proposed legislation necessary to implement recommendations.

Section 15H (a) — Definitions

  • Defines “Adjunct faculty” as faculty employed at one or more public institutions on a semester-by-semester basis.
  • Defines “Impacted adjunct faculty” as adjunct faculty who cumulatively work half-time or more at one or more public institutions.

Section 2 — Benefits for impacted adjunct faculty; Commission

  • Creates a special commission to develop a plan enabling impacted adjunct faculty to be eligible for benefits (e.g., health insurance, retirement) available to other benefited public employees.
  • Commission composition includes: AF/GA finance secretary (co-chair), Board of Higher Education chair (co-chair), Department of Higher Education commissioner, Comptroller, executive directors of retirement and group insurance programs, legislative chairs, and representatives from the UMass, state university, and community college segments, among others.

Who would be affected

  • Public higher education institutions (University of Massachusetts system, state universities, and community colleges) that participate in the Full-Time Faculty Pilot Fund.
  • Adjunct faculty, particularly those working half-time or more (impacted adjuncts), who may gain access to benefits under a future plan developed by the commission.
  • Administrative bodies: Department of Higher Education, the legislature’s Ways and Means committees, and related benefit programs (retirement and group insurance).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Program funding is contingent on appropriation and funds do not revert to the general fund.
  • Grant recipients must report within 6 months of hiring completion; a comprehensive program evaluation report due within 1 year after grant funds are released.
  • The bill requires ongoing reporting to legislative clerks and relevant committees on results and recommendations.

Overall impression

S. 2880 aims to promote stability in public higher education staffing by piloting full-time positions and establishing a pathway to extend benefits to impacted adjuncts, coupled with a structured feedback and accountability framework.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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