Pgh_CD, I'm sorry to disagree with you, but even though the position of an adjunct began not as a full-time job, it has certainly evolved from those days back in the 70s when this was the case. And you are right: administrators indeed do use the 70s stats and practices to relay 21st century principles, which just does not make sense. Things have changed, constantly, yet that is the one thing administrators refuse to change, because it affects their bottom line: the almighty dollar.
Your "however" is correct; 75% of higher ed faculty today are contingent. Out of those, over 50% work semester to semester (some may be year to year), without contract, many without benefits. The other 25% are non-tenure track instructors, so the majority of the faculty today are contingent, and not as you say, tenured faculty; tenured faculty are going the way of the dinosaur. When they retire, usually they hire three adjuncts to replace the tenured party. Universities have also been known to encourage old timers to take early retirements, and again, these people are replaced with adjuncts. Why do you think the numbers are up to 75%? Pretty soon they will come for your job! AND don't you think many of us have been willing to move to where ever? There are no jobs to be had: look through the jobs listings; then look through the Adjuncts Wanted... Especially now, with the ACA, everyone wants more adjuncts too. After all, we're only allowed to teach so many classes. God forbid we should go over the almighty 30-hour golden rule...
Finally, you might want to get off your high horse and smell the roses. I have known a few adjuncts waiting tables, working at Trader Joe's, or tutoring to make some extra bucks, helping their students out of the back of their beat up old Toyotas, yet having a few publications under their belt. I think they are better professors than any self-satisfied academics looking their noses down at the likes of us.
Ana M. Fores Tamayo
Adjunct Justice
Petition: http://signon.org/sign/better-pay-for-adjuncts.fb1?source=c.fb&r_by=426534
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AdjunctJustice
Thank-you for this comprehensive and excellent analysis of the adjunct crisis. Living in the central southwest, in Texas, I can honestly say that while you think not much is being done for adjuncts, your state is leading the pact, and I thank you for that. Just in media coverage you do us a great service. I wish here in Texas we were so brave. All I would like to add, for those who read this, is to add your name to our petition for Adjunct Justice, and share it please: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/better-pay-for-adjuncts.fb1?source=c.fb&r_by=426534. Maybe one of these days we will be heard!
Ana M. Fores Tamayo
Adjunct Justice
Petition: http://signon.org/sign/better-pay-for-adjuncts.fb1?source=c.fb&r_by=426534
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AdjunctJustice
Recent Comments
Your "however" is correct; 75% of higher ed faculty today are contingent. Out of those, over 50% work semester to semester (some may be year to year), without contract, many without benefits. The other 25% are non-tenure track instructors, so the majority of the faculty today are contingent, and not as you say, tenured faculty; tenured faculty are going the way of the dinosaur. When they retire, usually they hire three adjuncts to replace the tenured party. Universities have also been known to encourage old timers to take early retirements, and again, these people are replaced with adjuncts. Why do you think the numbers are up to 75%? Pretty soon they will come for your job! AND don't you think many of us have been willing to move to where ever? There are no jobs to be had: look through the jobs listings; then look through the Adjuncts Wanted... Especially now, with the ACA, everyone wants more adjuncts too. After all, we're only allowed to teach so many classes. God forbid we should go over the almighty 30-hour golden rule...
Finally, you might want to get off your high horse and smell the roses. I have known a few adjuncts waiting tables, working at Trader Joe's, or tutoring to make some extra bucks, helping their students out of the back of their beat up old Toyotas, yet having a few publications under their belt. I think they are better professors than any self-satisfied academics looking their noses down at the likes of us.
Ana M. Fores Tamayo
Adjunct Justice
Petition: http://signon.org/sign/better-pay-for-adjuncts.fb1?source=c.fb&r_by=426534
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AdjunctJustice
Ana M. Fores Tamayo
Adjunct Justice
Petition: http://signon.org/sign/better-pay-for-adjuncts.fb1?source=c.fb&r_by=426534
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AdjunctJustice