What is the IFA?
The Irvine Faculty Association (IFA) is an independent dues-paying association designated with the responsibility to represent faculty concerns. The mission of the IFA is to keep its members informed of matters of concern to UC faculty and to represent UC Irvine faculty to UCOP and the state legislature through the Council of UC Faculty Associations (CUCFA).
What is CUCFA?
CUCFA (Council of University of California Faculty Associations) coordinates the individual Faculty Associations on the separate campuses of the University of California an represents them to all state- or university-wide agencies on issues of common concern. It gathers and disseminates information on issues before the legislative and executive branches of California’s government, other relevant state units dealing with higher education, the University administration, and the Board of Regents.
What do the IFA and CUCFA do?
The UC faculty associations are the only group with the authority to represent the economic and/or employment interests of UC faculty before the University. Each UC campus faculty association is empowered to act as a watchdog and advocate for UC faculty by California law AB 1091, passed in 1978 and also known as HEERA. UCOP is required to send notices to CUCFA about any proposed changes to the wages, benefits, hours, and working conditions of UC faculty. If CUCFA has questions about such changes or feels that they are not in the interest of the faculty, it raises those issues with UCOP and/or with the state legislature.
How is the IFA different from the Academic Senate?
The IFA organizes and mobilizes around issues that fall outside the purview of the Academic Senate and is uniquely empowered by law to represent the economic interests of faculty. As an independent group, the IFA may also take political positions, protected by the First Amendment, without restriction by university guidelines.
Who is the IFA membership?
IFA members represent a substantial portion of UCI faculty and come from every school on campus.
How is the IFA Board selected?
IFA Board members are nominated by and elected by members bi-annually. The 2023-25 board is Annie McClanahan (English), Chair; Kevan Aguilar (History), Vice-Chair; Aaron Bornstein (Cognitive Science), Treasurer; Tiara Naputi (Global and International Studies), Secretary; Maria Rebolleda-Gomez (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), At-Large Member.
How much are IFA dues?
Dues are $15.00 for Assistant Professors, $25.00 for Associate Professors, and $30.00 for Full Professors per month, a portion of which we in turn pay to CUCFA, which employs paid staff, including lobbyists.
Why should I join IFA?
Joining IFA means being part of the only body legally empowered to advocate for UC faculty’s economic and workplace rights—something the Academic Senate can’t do. When Senate recommendations go ignored, faculty associations can take action. Plus, IFA offers forums for discussion–a separate discussion list, town halls, and quarterly meetings and social events–and member-driven advocacy on the issues that matter most to you.
What are some examples of issues IFA and CUCFA have mobilized around?
In the last year, IFA and CUCFA have advocated to local campus Senates, UCOP, and the state legislature around issues like increases in faculty health insurance premiums and UCOP proposals to implement costly cybersecurity software across the system. CUCFA has also worked closely with representatives in the California state legislature to voice urgent issues affecting UC faculty. This included the recent statement released by dozens of state legislators calling for the state to rescind the currently proposed 8% cuts in funding to the UC and CSU systems. The Faculty Associations have also expressed members’ concerns around issues that come before the Academic Senate, as in the case of the recent “Common Calendar Initiative.” Because the Faculty Associations do not have the same limits on political expression that constrain the Academic Senate, CUCFA has also been able to call on UCOP to implement concrete policies and resources to materially support international students, scholars, staff, and faculty in the context of international student visa revocations. Taken together, this advocacy represents a vital defense of academic freedom, shared governance, and the values of the UC system.
What is the relationship between IFA and AAUP?
IFA partners with the AAUP as independent but allied entities. By partnering with AAUP, we are better able to advance its goals in the defense and promotion of academic freedom, shared university governance, and the economic security of all those engaged in teaching and research in higher education. To receive the full rights and privileges of individual AAUP membership, you can, as a supplement to your campus Faculty Association membership, join AAUP at special rates, available only to members of CUCFA-affiliated associations, of $13.34/month for Assistant Professors, $21.34/month for Associate Professors, and $23.92/month for full Professors. Individuals who choose this option will receive the AAUP magazine Academe and AAUP emails, be entitled to vote and run for office in AAUP national and state elections, and receive other membership benefits provided by AAUP.