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[history_anon]

In a perfect world, you would sit down with the chair and map out a contingency plan like two reasonable adults.  Barring that, I'd suggest you wait to tell your chair until the outside offer is definite, and then (assuming you are willing and able) offer to swap your scheduled section for an evening one so as not to leave them in the lurch.  That way you give the chair the choice between 1) losing a section, 2) asking/forcing a full-time faculty member to swap times, and 3) having two evening sessions, hopefully not on the same night of the week.  Either way s/he goes, you have been reasonable and accommodating.  And by all means, tell your chair right away that you are looking for full-time jobs (as any adjunct should be), and ask him/her to write a letter of recommendation for your file.

Good luck!

[spinnaker]

In a perfect world, you would sit down with the chair and map out a contingency plan like two reasonable adults.  Barring that, I'd suggest you wait to tell your chair until the outside offer is definite, and then (assuming you are willing and able) offer to swap your scheduled section for an evening one so as not to leave them in the lurch.  That way you give the chair the choice between 1) losing a section, 2) asking/forcing a full-time faculty member to swap times, and 3) having two evening sessions, hopefully not on the same night of the week.  Either way s/he goes, you have been reasonable and accommodating.  And by all means, tell your chair right away that you are looking for full-time jobs (as any adjunct should be), and ask him/her to write a letter of recommendation for your file.

Good luck!

In an improved world, offers from colleges and the government would be serious, solid offers and the recipient would be able to give ample notice to whichever offer he has entertained but now declines so that they can make a carefully considered choice for a replacement.

[spinnaker]

And students wouldn't be asked to change their schedule after they have already planned it.

[scholarysomething]

I work full time and one of my classes didn't have enough enrollment to make. My boss sat me at the computer and said "here are your choices." They were all adjunct classes. My point is twofold. 1) Adjuncts are the first to go, and as such need to watch out for themselves. My boss, a very kind man, said, matter-of-factly "we have to staff full timers, and I'm fine with pulling an adjunct." Because of this, you have to watch out for yourself. 2) There are adjuncts to whom this will happen at almost every school. One of them is going to be thrilled to pick up your load and usually the first week is add/drop anyway; some won't even know the teacher switched.

Do what others have said and tell the boss you need a letter because you're applying for full time positions. If you go the first week, the boss will have to shuffle a bit, but it won't be a huge deal.

[multinodal]

I wanted to post an update since everyone was so helpful in thinking through this situation.

First, the non-academic full-time job got embroiled in some serious politics so for a while it was looking like that would not work out after all. So, it was first week of the semester, the new job seemed like a no-go and I was glad to have not submitted my resignation from the adjunct position. Fast forward a couple of weeks, and that job suddenly comes through, complete with an offer letter.

So, 3-ish weeks into the semester I had to resign the adjunct position. I'm able to give them quite a bit of notice and (mostly) hang around until they sort out new instructors. The chair has been understanding and gracious as have others in the department. It's been a huge relief!

As much as it's been a relief for me, it also saddens me that the academic market is so oriented towards exploiting cheap, easy and available labor that a change like this barely makes a ripple. I've met one of the people who's taking over a course and hu was ecstatic because hu has managed to negotiate gaining benefits in exchange.

[larryc]

the academic market is so oriented towards exploiting cheap, easy and available labor that a change like this barely makes a ripple.

True that.

[spinnaker]

As much as it's been a relief for me, it also saddens me that the academic market is so oriented towards exploiting cheap, easy and available labor that a change like this barely makes a ripple. I've met one of the people who's taking over a course and hu was ecstatic because hu has managed to negotiate gaining benefits in exchange.

I usually act ecstatic when starting in a new position. It's good business.

Happy for you!