The Academic Tier is for use by academic institutions such as High Schools, Community Colleges, Certification Programs, Colleges and Universities and was developed to address and accommodate the particular needs of such institutions.

There are two Academic Tier Levels: Academic Tier A covers non-accredited higher educational institutions like community colleges or certificate programs, or any K-12 school. Academic Tier B covers fully accredited Colleges or Universities. The Academic Tier Contract does not have a set compensation minimum. Property rights and rights of first refusal are protected under the Academic Tier.  The academic institution is responsible for a pension contribution of 9% of all compensation, plus a fixed health contribution.

The following is the SDC policy regarding Members working in a college or university setting:

• • Full-time teachers who direct student productions as part of their teaching assignments are not required to file SDC contracts
  • Director/Choreographers jobbed into a college or university for the specific purpose of directing or choreographing any production are required to file a contract.
  • Guest or part-time teachers must determine if more than 50% of their time is spent directing and/or choreographing. If so, an SDC contract must be filed.

Some academic institutions have difficulty signing contracts with outside unions due to state regulations or other reasons. In such cases, members can file the Academic Tier Contract through Extreme Reach, Falcon Paymasters or the University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA). These companies provide services as Employer of Record to academic institutions on behalf of SDC members. Below are links to Extreme Reach, Falcon and U/RTA.

EXTREME REACH (Formerly PES and SPOTLIGHT)    |   FALCON   |  U/RTA

Once the contract has been completed, the employer sign the contract first. Then, after the SDC Member signs, each party should email a copy to SDC at Contracts@SDCweb.org. The appropriate health and pension contributions should arrive in separate checks – one made out to “SDC-League Health Fund” and the other to “SDC-League Pension Fund” and mailed to the following address:

SDC-League Pension & Health Funds 321 W 44th Street Suite 804 New York NY 10036-5477

For SDC’s Guidance for the Performing Arts issued March 21, 2022, click here.

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