The Birth of a Contingent Faculty Activist

Abstract

What follows is a transcript of a telephone interview conducted on October 10, 2014 with Kim Laffont, founder of the South Florida Faculty Association. In 2013, Kim and her partner Julian, who is an independent filmmaker, began work on a documentary about the employment issues Kim (shown in the photo on the left in a white skirt) was experiencing in her adjunct positions at community colleges. Her communications with colleagues as she began work on the film led to the inception of organizing the South Florida Faculty Association. In January of 2015, Kim obtained a full‐time job at a community college; her professional obligations do not include teaching.Kim was interviewed by Anne Wiegard, an executive board member of United University Professions (affiliated with New York State United Teachers and American Federation of Teachers). Judy Olson, a representative on the Lecturers' Council of the California Faculty Association (affiliated with California Teachers Association and National Education Association) and Chair of the NEA Contingent Faculty Caucus, served as the scribe. The interviewer's questions appear in bold type.