Adjunct faculty are caught up in this crisis in higher education. Our precarious positions, low levels of compensation, lack of benefits, lack of institutional support for research and scholarship, and our exclusion from the governance of our institutions limit our academic freedom and endanger our profession.
Yet, as part-time faculty, we are the majority of all teaching faculty at most colleges and universities. Unless we take action, the trend toward a marginalized adjunct faculty will continue unabated.
We have the power to do something about this situation. We are joining our efforts with other adjunct faculty in New York State and a larger nationwide movement to reform higher education and reclaim our profession.
How many hours do you work for every course you teach? Considering the preparation, student correspondence and other work for your students, the answer is probably more than your employer would like to admit but it’s a question that can help improve your work life and many other adjunct and part-time faculty members. Tell us your story to help raise standards in higher education.
The crisis in higher education requires everyone to get involved to improve standards for adjunct faculty and learning conditions for students. Go here for ways to support the movement.