Extensive testimony for and against pay parity bill for community college part-time faculty at House hearing

House sponsors and numerous witnesses from labor organizations, community colleges and part‑time faculty presented competing views Feb. 6 on House Bill 2669, a bill that would require Oregon community colleges to compensate part‑time faculty at the same per‑hour rate as full‑time faculty for comparable teaching work and provide funding through the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to implement the change.

Primary sponsors Representative Ricky Ruiz (HD 50) and Representative Lisa Bridal framed HB 2669 as a remedy for longstanding pay inequity. Ruiz said community colleges rely heavily on part‑time instructors and described the bill as a step toward fair compensation for work such as classroom instruction, preparation, grading and office hours. Bridal, who previously served as a Lane Community College trustee, said part‑time instructors routinely perform the same duties and qualifications as full‑time faculty and presented survey statistics she said show disparities in compensation and economic hardship among part‑time faculty.

Supporters who testified included representatives of the Oregon Education Association and American Federation of Teachers Oregon, and numerous current part‑time faculty who described long service, multiple jobs to make ends…