February 8, 2025
The Washington State Legislature is currently considering Senate Bill 5663 (SB 5663), a proposal aimed at creating a statewide virtual campus for community and technical colleges. While this bill seeks to expand online education, it also presents serious concerns for faculty and union members regarding workload, job security, and the potential redistribution of funding away from local institutions.
The full text of the bill can be found [here]. If passed, it would allow community and technical colleges (CTCs) to market online courses beyond their districts, facilitate cross-district enrollment, and prohibit colleges from competing for students. Additionally, it requires the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to build a centralized online course directory and establish policies for cross-enrollment. While the idea of increasing access to higher education is commendable, SB 5663 raises significant questions that must be addressed to protect faculty, academic quality, and institutional stability.
Key Faculty Concerns and Union Bargaining Priorities
AFT Local 4254 has identified several major concerns with SB 5663, particularly its effects on faculty workload, compensation, and collective bargaining rights.
One of the most pressing issues is workload and compensation uncertainty. The bill allows students to enroll in online courses across multiple colleges without defining how teaching loads, faculty assignments, and compensation will be managed. If faculty at one college are instructing students from multiple institutions, will they receive additional compensation? Could this lead to larger class sizes with no proportional pay adjustments? These are critical questions that remain unanswered.
Another concern is job security and faculty autonomy. A centralized virtual campus could reduce the need for full-time faculty positions in smaller colleges as enrollment shifts toward larger institutions. Since colleges will be prohibited from competing for students, local programs may shrink or even be eliminated, jeopardizing faculty employment and reducing educational opportunities for students in certain districts.
Additionally, the bill mandates faculty consultation but does not guarantee union negotiations on key issues such as workload, student distribution, or new teaching policies. Without clear protections, faculty could see major changes to their working conditions without the ability to collectively bargain for fair treatment. AFT Washington must demand a formal role in shaping these policies to ensure faculty rights are safeguarded.
Funding, tuition, and enrollment challenges also remain unresolved. SB 5663 does not clarify how funding will be allocated when students enroll in courses outside their home college. If institutions lose state resources due to shifts in online enrollment, faculty positions, and programs could face cuts. The union must push for funding formulas that protect faculty stability rather than diverting money away from colleges that see lower online participation.
AFT Washington Faculty Union Involvement
AFT Washington will play a critical role in shaping policies related to this virtual campus. The bill requires faculty consultation, and as union representatives, we must advocate for policies that protect faculty workload and compensation in online education, ensure job security for faculty impacted by cross-enrollment, and establish clear guidelines on how faculty teaching assignments will be determined across colleges. The Edmonds Federation of Teachers (AFT Local 4254) will continue to monitor SB 5663 closely and participate in legislative discussions to protect faculty rights in this evolving educational landscape.
What Comes Next?
The bill mandates that a detailed implementation plan be completed by December 1, 2026, with the virtual campus set to launch in the academic year 2028-29. Faculty members should stay informed about legislative developments, engage in discussions with union leadership about concerns, and prepare to advocate for necessary policy changes that protect faculty working conditions.
As union president, I am committed to advocating for fair policies that uphold faculty rights, job security, and academic integrity. We cannot allow this bill to be implemented without strong faculty protections in place. If you have concerns or would like to get involved, please reach out to AFT Local 4254. Together, we will ensure that faculty voices are heard in shaping the future of online education in Washington’s community and technical colleges.
In solidarity,
Scott Haddock, JD
President, Edmonds Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 4254