Professor Marlene Morales, of the Miami Dade College School of Education, is being penalized for taking maternity leave. She has served the College for nine years. Her Academic Dean refused to forward her application for promotion to the rank of Associate Professor, Senior to the Promotions
Committee, denying her the opportunity to have her case evaluated by her fellow professors. Professor Morales met all of the promotion requirements established by the contract. In spite of this, the Dean claimed Professor Morales was ineligible for due consideration by her peers, because she had taken a combination of maternity leave and unpaid professional development leave (to finish her doctorate).
Professor Morales and United Faculty of Miami Dade College Local #4253 filed a grievance against the College, and the arbitration hearing has been set for October 31, 2012 at 10:00 am.
By signing this petition, you offer your support to Professor Morales and all faculty who take leaves to start families and complete their education. UFMDC believes that no professor should be unfairly denied due considerations simply for taking maternity leave, or for taking a professional development.
