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About ELAF-AAUP
Our Vision
The Emerson Los Angeles Affiliated Faculty Union (ELAF-AAUP) represents and advocates for the dedicated adjunct faculty who make up the heart of Emerson’s LA program. Since the early 1980s, adjunct instructors have been vital to the success of ELA, providing mentorship, professional expertise, and academic excellence for students pursuing their studies and internships in Los Angeles.
Today, adjuncts comprise nearly 95% of the ELA faculty. In 2016, after years of collective effort, ELAF ratified its first union contract, securing access to healthcare benefits, fair wages, grievance procedures, and improved campus security. This milestone built on decades of adjunct contributions and set the foundation for continued progress.
ELAF stands in solidarity with our colleagues on the Boston campus and across the AAUP network, committed to protecting academic freedom and ensuring that Emerson remains a place where faculty and students thrive together.
As of August 2022, the AAUP became affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). As a result, all dues-paying AAUP members are also members of the AFT, which is a major union representing educators. The CFT is a state affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the AFL–CIO.
What We Do
Our Work
Collective Bargaining
Through union negotiations, we secure fair wages, access to healthcare, and improved working conditions for adjunct faculty. Each contract builds on the progress of the last, ensuring faculty voices are heard and respected at Emerson LA.
Faculty Advocacy
We represent adjuncts in conversations with administration and provide support when challenges arise in the workplace. Our role is to protect faculty rights and ensure that every educator feels valued and supported.
Contract Enforcement
Winning a contract is only the first step — we make sure it’s honored. From grievance procedures to workplace protections, we help adjuncts navigate issues and hold the college accountable to its commitments.
Professional Development Fund
Part-time faculty have access to a $1,500 professional development fund to support their growth and expertise in their respective fields.
Community Building
ELAF fosters solidarity among adjunct faculty and builds bridges with students, staff, and Boston campus colleagues. By standing together, we strengthen the entire Emerson LA community.
Academic Freedom Protection
We defend the principles of academic freedom so that faculty can teach with integrity and without fear of retaliation. Preserving this freedom is essential to the quality of education and the mentorship students receive.
Our Agreements
Our union contract is the cornerstone of protecting adjunct faculty at Emerson LA. It establishes fair wages, access to healthcare benefits, grievance procedures, and workplace protections. The contract is negotiated by the Bargaining Committee and ratified by members to ensure that adjunct faculty have a binding voice in their working conditions.
The ELAF-AAUP Constitution defines who we are and how we operate as a chapter of the American Association of University Professors. It affirms our mission to promote the professional and economic well-being of adjunct faculty, ensure shared governance at Emerson LA, and provide clear processes for membership, elections, dues, and decision-making.
Media & Press
ELAF in the Headlines
The Berkeley Beacon
Spring News Letter
The Berkeley Beacon
Fall News Letter
Spring News Letter
Our Leadership
Mason Richards,
President
Shana Lloyd, Vice President
Eric Vanstrom, Treasurer
Kelsey Siepser, Member-At-Large
Amanda Richards, Member-At-Large
Our Campus
ELA-Emerson-Los Angeles Campus in the heart of Hollywood, CA
