Welcome to the National Council for Higher Education's web site. NCHE is an independent organization for all higher education members of the National Education Association.

NCHE Summer Meeting at the RA
NCHE Summer Meeting will be held on the following dates:

Academic Freedom

In April, the outgoing Board of Trustees of the College of DuPage adopted a controversial new policy loosely based on the so-called “Academic Bill of Rights.”  This policy seriously threatens academic freedom at the college.  Both the full-time tenured/tenure track and the contingent faculty are represented by collective bargaining units affiliated with the Illinois Education Association and the National Education Association.  In March NCHE President Jim Rice had written to the Board (see March 18, 2009 letter) urging them not to do so.  Since then a new Board has been elected.  On May 4, 2009 NCHE President Jim Rice and AAUP General Secretary Gary Rhoades wrote a joint letter to the new Board (see May 4, 2009 letter) asking them to rescind the previous decision.

NEA Contingent Faculty Report
The report, "The NEA and Contingent Academic Workers in Higher Education: NBI 2004-60 Action Plan" (pdf 217k, 46 pp) is a comprehensive plan of action developed "to secure for contingent academic workers throughout public higher education the rights, benefits and protections that full-time tenure track workers currently enjoy." The elements of the plan include recommendations for research, organizing, political advocacy, collective bargaining, leadership development and capacity building, and communications. For more information, contact highered@nea.org or call 202-822-7162.

Membership Renewal
Have you renewed your NCHE membership? You will receive the 2009-10 renewal materials for Individual, Associate and Organizational memberships. If you have not yet renewed your membership you can return the invoice to Dean Bruce, Membership Chair. You can also renew Individual membership at the NCHE RAM in Washington D.C., held Thursday night and Friday morning prior to the NEA/AFT Higher Education Conference. Individual and organizational voting credentials are only available to members who have paid their dues. Please return your NCHE membership today. We look forward to your continued support and seeing you in Washington D.C.

Help us to encourage Individuals, Associates, and Organizations within your state to become members of NCHE so that we can continue to lobby for the interests of our 150,000 NEA higher education members. Join Now!

NCHE NEWS
Read the June 2009 Newsletter online.

Changes to Constitution
Approved in March 2007, dues are payable by January 1 each membership year.  See Article III, Section 5.

NCHE Executive Committee
Take a look at the job descriptions for each NCHE Executive Committee position.