The college employs 220 full-time faculty, 508 part-time faculty, and 248 classified staff and administrators. There are twenty-seven academic department each headed by an elected Department Chair.  Faculty members share in the governance of the College through the Academic Senate and various committees

Getting Started

Human Resources Office

Location:  College Services Building – Building 2100         

Hours:  Monday-Thursday, 8: 00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday 8:00am – 3:00pm 

Personel:  818.719.6407

Payroll:  818.719.6403

Equal Opportunity Policy/Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment

All programs, activities, services and employment of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and Pierce College shall be operated in a manner which is free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, marital status, medical condition (cancer related), sexual orientation, age, disability, or veterans status. [LACCD Board Rules, 15001-15022] Please direct inquiries or complaints to Gene Little, LACCD Director of Diversity Programs, at 213-891-2317. Additional information may be obtained by email at diversityprograms@laccd.edu

The District Human Resources Department is making an effort to outreach to employees who have concerns with assignments, payroll or benefits data related to SAP. They have created a position of HR Helpdesk to facilitate and connect employees to key contact personnel at District office to assist with inquiries.

Phone support:  8am - 5pm  (For urgent matters only please)

Helpdesk phone number: (213) 891-2080

Helpdesk Email: Helpdesk@laccd.edu

Keys 

To obtain keys for your classroom, please contact your Department Chair. 

If you lose your key, you will have to submit a New Key Request, and show proof of payment for the keys before recieving the replacement.

Plant Facilities Website

Parking

To get a staff parking gate card key (for use on the automatic gates leading to the staff parking lots) and a parking decal, go to the Business Office, located in the College Services Building.  You will be required to pay a $10.00 deposit fee for the card key and parking decal. Then go to Copy Tech to get your campus ID/gate card key. The parking decal allows parking at all LACCD campuses.

Faculty may park in all Faculty/Staff parking areas, as well as any Student parking areas if necessary.  If you are using a vehicle without a current parking decal and you wish to park in a Faculty/Staff lot, do not park first.  Go to the Campus Sheriff’s Office and pick up a temporary parking pass for the day (or period of time needed).  

Bookstore /Textbooks

Location: College Services Building – Building 2100

Hours: During the Fall and Spring semesters, Monday-Thursday, 7:00am - 7:30pm and Friday 7:30a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Closed Saturday and Sunday. Store hours will vary during the first two weeks of school as well as the summer and winter break.

The Bookstore is located in the College Services Building. Several months prior to the start of each semester, faculty members must submit all requisitions for textbooks to their respective department chairpersons. Instructors who are hired after the textbooks have been ordered will be required to use the same textbook ordered by the previous instructor or the Department chairperson. A policy governing textbook adoptions by faculty has been passed by the Academic Senate. Text book adoptions are due April 15th for the Fall semester and October 1st for the Spring semester. 

Visit the LAPC Bookstore Website

Access the Book ordering form here.

Email Book orders to this address: textbookorder@piercecollege.edu

Mailroom - Location: College Services Building – Building 2100

Each faculty member is assigned a mailbox.  Please see your Department Chair if you have not yet been assigned a campus mailbox. 

Phone: 818.719.6426

Food Services 

At this time we have limited food services on the campus.  Please visit the Brahma Cafe, located next to the Bookstore in the College Services Building – Building 2100, and or food kitchens which are located around the campus.  Or the Cafeteria, located under the Library.

Work Requests

If there is damage or a facilities-related safety issue on campus, call Plant Facilities at 818.719.6441.  If an office or classroom needs to be modified, repaired or changed, a Work Request Form generated by the Department Chair is submitted to Plant Facilities.  

Submit a work request via the Plant Facilities Webpage

Information Technology

Information technology (Info Tech) provides a variety of technology-based support for faculty.  The district has an email system containing a database of district faculty and staff that can be accessed from on and off campus.  When personnel are hired their email account is created at the beginning of their assignment.

Phone support:  8am - 5pm  (For urgent matters only please)

Helpdesk phone number: (213) 214-2130

Helpdesk Email: lapc-techsupport@laccd.edu

Academic Affairs Policies and Procedures

The Office of Academic Affairs works directly with faculty in matters pertaining to instruction and instructional support.

Absences

Faculty members must contact the Office of Academic Affairs at (818) 719.6444, prior to their class, if they are going to be absent, as well as contact their Department Chair.  They must state the reason (illness or personal emergency), and dates of absence.  Please leave a phone message if the office is closed.  Be sure to sign the Absence Form that will be put in your mailbox and return it to the Office of Academic Affairs.  Absences due to illness that exceed five days require a doctor’s signature.  Download the Absence form here.

Religious Holidays

Faculty and staff have the option of observing officially recognized religious holidays without loss of pay.  Students have this same privilege and should not be penalized.  They must, however, make up any work that is missed.  Faculty observing religious holidays should follow the same procedure as regular absences.  No substitutes will be provided.  

Substitutes

Substitutes may be provided beginning the second day of absence for classes or the first day if arrangements are cleared in advance.   Faculty members must provide lesson plans for substitutes. Substitutes are chosen through the department chair in consultation with the Office of Academic Affairs only; faculty members do not make arrangements for substitutes

Adjunct (Part-time) Faculty Members                                                                       

The Adjunct Survival Guide contains useful information about your contractual rights. It is available online at www.aft1521.org

Address/Telephone Number Changes

Any changes to your home address and/or telephone/cell numbers should be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs for payroll and emergency purposes

Class Scheduling

The schedule of classes for each department is drawn up by the Department Chair working with faculty members and your department’s Dean of Academic Affairs in accordance with the provisions in the AFT-LACCD Contract.

Student Discipline

The District has adopted Student Discipline Procedures to provide uniform procedures to assure due process when a student is charged with a violation of the Standards of Student Conduct, as outlined in the College Catalog.  For student behavior in the classroom, see “The Classroom” section of this handbook.  A Student Academic Integrity Policy Statement also appears in the Catalog.  All faculty should familiarize themselves with these policies and procedures.  The Vice President of Student Services or their designee administers student discipline on campus.

Student Grievances

The student grievance procedure is designed to provide a prompt and equitable means for resolving student grievances.  The formal procedure is detailed in District Administrative Regulation E-55, which is available in the Office of Academic Affairs or can be found on the LACCD website at www.laccd.edu .  All parties involved in a potential grievance, however, are encouraged to seek an informal remedy.  The recommended steps for students to follow are:    

•  meeting directly with the faculty member(s) with whom the student has a problem

• meeting with the department chair of the faculty member(s)

• meeting with the department’s Dean of Academic Affairs

• meeting with a College Ombudsperson

Ombudspersons are faculty members appointed by the Academic Senate to assist students in obtaining informal resolution of a grievance.

Contact Ombudsperson/ Grade Grievance Officer William Marmolejo:  ombuds@piercecollege.edu or marmolwa@piercecollege.edu 

Confidentiality of Student Information

Federal and state laws prohibit giving any personal or academic information about students to the public.  The District policy is not to release any information to parents unless the student’s consent is obtained. 

Release of student records by faculty members to third parties, including parents and their family members, without a student’s written permission or in the absence of a judicial order is prohibited by the California Constitution and the Education Code.  

This policy applies to all students regardless of their age and status as either a dependent minor or independent adult. While this policy is unequivocal concerning the requirement that any release of student records requires a student’s written permission or a judicial order, Pierce College officials and employees with a “legitimate educational interest” may inspect a student record.

Instructors who wish to post grades in any public place, including their web page, must use a unique identifying system that does not include the names or student identification numbers.

Contractual Rights and Responsibilities 

All faculty are represented by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) College Guild, the exclusive bargaining and grievance representative for the Los Angeles Community College District. 

The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the AFT College Guild and the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD or the District) will be referred to as the Contract.

The Contract spells out rights and responsibilities in the areas of:

• Assignments and class load

• Retention and seniority

• District life insurance coverage

• Hospital, medical, dental and vision group coverage

• Salary schedules

• Academic freedom

• Non-discrimination

• Board of Trustees rights and responsibilities

• AFT rights

• Work environment

• Calendar

• Holidays, vacation days and leaves

• Department/division/cluster chairs

• Salary and wage-step placement

• Transfers and reassignments

• Resignation and retirement

• Evaluation and grievance procedures (and applicable forms)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Intellectual property rights

• Distance learning

• Load banking

• Leaves, including the Load Credit Leave

Also covered in the Contract is information about Committees, fields of instruction, professional growth, personnel files, column placement, faculty replacement, agency shop, definitions, class size and additional assignments. 

All faculty should be familiar with the Contract, a copy of which can be obtained from the AFT Chapter Chair.  Adjunct faculty members are also covered by the Contract.  For a copy of the contact go to www.aft1521.org .

Faculty Code of Ethics 

The Pierce College Faculty Senate adopted the Code of Ethics and the Code with Operational Guidelines on May 14, 1990.  It was revised and approved by the Senate on March 19, 2001. 

The Code of Ethics is found here.

Business Office

Location:  College Services Building – Building 2100

Hours:  Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

818.719.6432 

The Business Office offers the following services to Pierce College faculty members and staff:

• Check cashing for amounts up to $25.00 (proper identification required).

• Issuing of staff parking decals and gate cards. (Temporary parking permits for adjunct faculty are available at the Campus Sheriff’s office.)

• Disbursement of reimbursement checks.

• Answers to routine budget inquiries.

Payroll

Location: College Services Building – Building 2100 

Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m, and Friday 8am - 3pm

818.719.6403

Inquiries regarding salary or electronic depositing of paychecks can be made in the payroll office.

Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)

Two ATM machines are located in the College Book Store, which is in the College Services Building.    

Campus Security

The Sheriff’s Department is located in the Sheriff’s Office which is next to the South Gym, Building 5400 and near the Winnetka entrance to campus. The Sheriffs can be reached 24 hours a day at 818.719.6450.   The services provided by the Sheriff’s include:

• First Aid and CPR for accident victims and other emergencies.

• Jumper Cables (can be checked out but no assistance is provided in using them).

• Lost and Found services.

• Emergency notification of students or faculty.

• Campus escorts at night, if requested. 

• Copies of accident reports for insurance purposes, available for a nominal fee, must be obtained from the district insurance office.

All injuries should be reported immediately to the Sheriff's office, which will determine if the School Nurse (ext. 4270) or paramedics are needed.  In instances where the School Nurse treats a student for an injury, she will complete a report and forward a copy to the Administration and the Sheriff's Office.

Worker's Compensation injuries should be reported to the appropriate on-duty Community College Supervisor.  The supervisor shall notify his/her department chairperson and the school administration.  First-Aid requests should be routed through the Sheriff's Office and/or 9-1-1, as needed.

The Sheriff’s Office provides a variety of services to the entire campus and surrounding community.  The officers enforce all laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the state, local and district levels, whether they be criminal, civil, traffic, or parking.

This office provides information, directions and parking assistance, as well as handling all emergencies on campus and intervening in student discipline procedures, as necessary.  They are also responsible for enforcing policies related specifically to the College campus, such as controlling distribution of written materials, and enforcing the no smoking and no pets policies.  

Credit Union

The California Credit Union, open to all faculty members, has seven branch offices.  Information about the credit union and all branch offices may be obtained by calling 800-334-8788.  The California Federation of Teachers Credit Union in Burbank can be reached by calling (818) 845-7835.

Health Insurance 

For information regarding health insurance coverage contact the LACCD Heath Insurance section at 213-891-2200.

California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) 

Information about STRS can be obtained by calling 1-800-228-5453 or 916-229-3870, or on the web at www.calstrs.ca.gov.

Instructional Support Services

Audio-Visual/Multimedia

Location:  Media Center, Library Building – Building 1800, Ground Floor

Hours:  Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Audio-Visual/Multi-media equipment may be reserved for classroom use by either phoning, emailing, or going directly to the Media Center.  Place orders at least 24 hours in advance by calling 818.719.6496.  Available equipment includes:  8 mm and 16 mm film projectors, film strip projectors, carousel slide projectors, overhead and opaque projectors, tape recorders, record players, television monitors, VCRs, DVDs, and multi-media carts with connection to the Internet.  All equipment must be picked up and returned to the Media Center by the faculty member.

Library Services to Faculty

Location:  Library Building, Building 1800, Second Floor

Hours:  Monday-Thursday, 8:00am – 8:00pm, Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm

Library Website

Library resources can be easily embedded into your Canvas course

Reserve Materials It is encouraged for faculty members to place textbooks or other materials on Reserve for student use on a limited basis; please bring them to the Reference Desk.  They should be removed from Reserve status as soon as their use is no longer necessary.  An extra copy of textbooks can often be requested from publishers, at no cost to the instructor.

Library Assignments Before making research assignments, faculty members are urged to check with the Library and discuss their needs with a Librarian.

Faculty Borrowing Faculty members with a Pierce library card may borrow materials for a limited time.  These materials should be returned as promptly as possible.  There will be a charge for unreturned or damaged items.

Books Purchase Suggestions/Requests from faculty for Library materials that support and enrich the curriculum are encouraged.  Request cards are available at the Reference Desk.  An effort is made to notify faculty members when their requests are ready for circulation.

Library Orientations You may book a session for your students by contacting the Reference Desk, 818.710.2833. It is recommended that you book your classes for the library at the beginning of a semester, or at least, several weeks in advance of your requested dates.

Online Databases The Library subscribes to more than 40 online databases through which you can access eBooks, academic journals, magazines, and newspapers. Access these resources using your Pierce username and the last four digits of your employee ID number.

Faculty Support

Employees Assistance Program (EAP)

EAP is a District program that provides you and your covered family members confidential personal assistance for a wide range of concerns.  Help is available for personal relationships, alcoholism and other drug problems, depression, job stress, legal and financial concerns, coping with grief and loss, parenting, physical abuse, compulsive gambling, or other personal concerns.  EAP services can be accessed on the Internet at www.laccd.lifeworks.com or downlaod the TELUS One Health App on your smart phone. 

Foundation for Pierce College

The Foundation for Pierce College provides financial support to the College, its faculty, and students through scholarships, grants, and gifts of equipment, services and supplies. 

For more information contact visit here

Professional Development 

All faculty are required to participate in Professional Development (also known as Instructional Improvement) activities.   Your obligation depends upon your teaching load each semester.  The Professional Growth and Development Committee oversee the program.  Extensive information on Professional Development requirements, opportunities, etc. can be obtained at www.lapc.edu

Beginning in Fall 2019, all FLEX obligations are recorded and detailed within the Vision Resource Center.  You may access this from the Intranet page on the Pierce Website.  

More information on how to use the Vision Resource and the FLEX Obligation here 

Faculty Staff Resource Center

Location: Faculty Staff Resource Center, Library Building – Building 1800, Room 1

The Faculty Support Center, on the ground floor of the library is open from 8am – 10pm Monday – Thursday and 8am – 4pm on Friday. Computers and graphics stations (both PC and Mac), b/w printers, a FAX, and scanner are available.  

Travel/Conference Attendance/Tuition Reimbursement

Funding guidelines for conference attendance by full-time and adjunct faculty are provided through the campus Faculty Professional Growth and Development Committee and can be obtained from its website (see above).  All requests must be approved prior to any travel/conference attendance.  Conference Request forms must be completed before the conference and may be obtained online.  Tuition Reimbursement forms can also be obtained online.    

Other Services

Auto Shop

As part of the instructional program, the Pierce auto shop invites faculty and staff members whose automobiles may be in need of repair to bring them in for students to work on as part of their class projects.  All work is done under faculty supervision.  The auto shop also welcomes donations of vehicles, which are tax deductible.

Visit the webpage here 

Business Cards

Business cards may be ordered from Copy Tech, which is located in the College Services Building.  Charges for these cards are made to the supply budget of your department and should go through your chairperson.

FAX

A FAX machine is located in the Mailroom for sending and receiving material related to your employment at the College.  It cannot be used for personal communication.  If you wish to FAX something, fill out the FAX request form available in the Mailroom and give it to the mailroom clerk.  Your original plus a confirmation of transmission will be placed in your mailbox.  Incoming Faxes will be placed in your mailbox when received.  The College’s FAX number is 818.710.9844.  

Health and Fitness 

Opportunities for faculty to participate in fitness classes are provided through the Men’s and Women’s Physical Education Departments and through Extension Classes.  Enrollment fees must be paid either through the extension program or through the regular program.  The swimming pool is open for lap swimming on weekdays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Smoking Policy

Background

Los Angeles Pierce College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its students, employees, and visitors. In light of evidence that the use of tobacco and nicotine as well as exposure to secondhand smoke and aerosol (commonly referred to as “vapor”) from electronic smoking devices pose significant health and environmental hazards, the College has established a smoke, vapor and tobacco-free environment. 

Policy

The smoke and tobacco free policy includes all Los Angeles Pierce College indoor and outdoor areas. Smoking and the use of any tobacco product is prohibited at all times on all College properties, grounds and buildings within the Los Angeles Pierce College, including parking lots and within personal vehicles on College property.  This regulation applies to employees, students, visitors, and other persons who enter any College property as described above.  Such products will also not be sold or distributed on campus property.  No advertising or marketing of such products shall be permitted on College property or in publications produced by the College. Except as provided below, Tobacco is not permitted on any College Owned or Leased Property, including any portions of such Property that may have been previously designated smoking areas.  

• Tobacco Use may be permitted in connection with research if it adheres to all federal and state regulatory requirements, EH&S health and safety guidelines, or in connection with research approved in writing by the UCLA Institutional Review Board or Animal Research Committee.  

• Smoking or Tobacco Use may be permitted in connection with research if it adheres to all federal and state regulatory requirements, EH&S health and safety guidelines, or in connection with institutional approval of research.

Definitions

“Electronic Smoking Device” means an electronic device that may be used to deliver any aerosolized or vaporized substance to the person inhaling from the device, including but not limited to, an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, vape pen, or e-hookah.  

“Smoking” means inhaling, exhaling, or burning any tobacco, nicotine, cannabis, or plant product, whether natural or synthetic, such as cigar, cigarette, cigarillo, pipe, or any other lighted, heated, or activated tobacco, nicotine, cannabis or plant product intended for inhalation. “Smoking” also means using an electronic smoking device or hookah.  

“Tobacco Product” means any product containing, made from, or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption or is likely to be consumed, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, including, but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, snuff, or snus; and any electronic smoking device and any substances that may be aerosolized or vaporized by such device, whether or not the substance contains nicotine.  

“Tobacco Product” does not include a product that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco treatment product marketed and sold solely for such an approved purpose. 

Compliance

It is the responsibility of the administration to ensure compliance with this procedure. It is the responsibility of managers and supervisors to inform their employees of this procedure and it is the responsibility of all employees to inform the students.  

Nicotine is an addictive product and it may take time for students, faculty, and staff that use tobacco to change habits of use. For these reasons, education, including resources and referrals for tobacco treatment, will be the primary mode of implementation and compliance.