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[mssdoc]

I'm not sure where to post this, so I'll try this forum first. I'd like to hear from adjuncts, TT'ers, and chairs, or anyone else if they are interested.


My CC has a policy wherein adjunct instructors have a type of "tenure"--i.e., a system called "preferences".  It is a somewhat complicated formula (according to the adjuncts to whom I assign classes, anyway) but, essentially, adjuncts who have worked for us at least 8 of the past 12 semesters must be offered classes equal to the average of their courseload of two of the past three semesters. (There's another tier for those who work 12 of the past 16 semesters, and they get priority over the 8/12'ers.) This means, effectively, if an adjuct stays at our campus long enough, in any department, they are 'preferenced'.  There is, however, an "out" for the department, but the circumstances where you can avoid offering a class to a preferenced adjunct happen very rarely.

There is no publication requirement, no service requirement; just to be retained earns an adjunct 'tenure'--though not 'promotion'. They are refered to as 'instructors' officially, no matter what their degree.  They get no pay raise, and are still paid by the hour.  The same pay, I might add, as full-timers who take overload--who also get paid by the hour for their overload courses. (weird, I think).

So here's the question currently going the rounds in my department:  if the contract allows it (which it seems to), is there any reason to implement an additional requirement of 'service' or 'collegiality'--which we all know can be seriously abused?

[mathguy]

mssdoc,


I find it remarkable that your dept. at your CC is even considering the question of adding a 'service/collegiality' requirement for the adjunct instructors. This is ridiculous.

Most, if not all, of your adjuncts are probably already working as 'slave labor' for your dept. Perhaps, some of them are already doing more than some of the tenured 'deadwood' in your dept.

Please note that I am not attacking you personally, but rather the narcissistic-sounding attitude that some of your tenured colleagues seem to be displaying.

[slac_vap]

Exactly what would you require them to do to meet the service or collegiality requirement?  And will they be compensated for such work?  For example, if you have something like "attending colloquia" under the collegiality requirement, will you also pay them their hourly rate for attending such things?  If they help review the curriculum, will they be paid extra for that? 

You must realize that tenure-track faculty absolutely do receive compensation for such things, in the form of a higher pay rate than adjuncts.  Comparing regular pay for adjuncts to overload pay for tenure-track faculty is unfair, since the tenure-track faculty are paid a higher base rate with the understanding that service and collegiality are part of their role.

If you are requiring them to work additional unpaid hours in order to maintain their status, then that strikes me as unnecessary and abusive.

[mssdoc]

Since I hadn't noticed the responses on this particular thread, I've been responding to the same topic on the Tenure Track thread. Sorry again for the confusion.

[nardo]

Sounds like indenture to me.