In this brief, the authors argue that creating avenues to support VITAL faculty is an essential role for leaders within academic affairs, and particularly those in faculty affairs. While the authors review a host of supports needed, they argue for the importance of sustained professional development opportunities like faculty learning communities…

This study explored the extent to which faculty job satisfaction varied by faculty rank and tenure status. 118 Faculty members with varying ranks and tenure statuses from four higher education institutions participated in the study. Surveys were utilized to collect results. Descriptive statistics, and one-way ANOVAs, were utilized to analyze…

Workplace preparation is increasingly part of university curricula and this has led to the appointment of staff with professional practice expertise being appointed to teach, who are experienced professionals yet HE novices. How do they make sense of HE's expectations and begin to reconcile their identity as educators with the credibility their…

Part-time non-tenure track faculty, also referred to as adjunct faculty, are the fastest growing instructional group in higher education, but they are provided minimal professional support from their employing institution(s). This lack of support is a problem because working conditions shape instructors' investment and efficacy of performance in…

We report the results of a pilot study that offers the field of technical and professional communication its first look at material working conditions of contingent faculty, such as course loads, compensation, and professional support. Findings include that contingent faculty are more enduring with stable full-time, multi-year contracts; they…

In April 2013, "NEJHE" launched its "New Directions for Higher Education" series to examine emerging issues, trends and ideas that have an impact on higher education policies, programs, and practices. In this installment, DiSalvio interviews Adrianna Kezar, professor of higher education at the University of Southern California…

This article examines the plight of adjunct university faculty and urges new policies to express appreciation for their contributions to the teaching profession. A response from an adjunct faculty member at Hunter College, City University of New York, follows. (one reference) (KM)

Provides an annotated bibliography of current ERIC literature on community college adjunct faculty. Suggests that adjunct faculty will continue to play an important role in community colleges, with 53.4% of public 2-year college faculty currently teaching part-time. Indicates that colleges have increased their support services for adjunct faculty.…

Examines the literature on improving job satisfaction for community college adjunct faculty, providing an annotated bibliography of seven ERIC documents. Suggests that orientation programs to campus policies, professional development workshops, increased salaries and benefits, and job security all serve to increase the level of adjunct job…

Although the continuity of faculty is an important factor in sustaining an institution's general education program, if the measure is attainment of learning outcomes, qualitative considerations, and not a faculty member's employment status, are more important in determining who should teach such courses. This author argues that relatively junior,…

This book addresses the counterproductive conditions in which part-time and non-tenure-track composition faculty must teach, using case studies, local narratives, and models for ethical employment practices. It presents and evaluates a range of proactive strategies for change, both for local conditions and broader considerations. Section 1,…

Non-tenure-track (NTT) faculty represent a significant and growing element of the American academic profession. In the fall of 1992 there were 110,227 full-time faculty working in non-tenure eligible positions. Data from the 1993 National Study of Postsecondary Faculty (NSOPF-93) illustrate where and in what program areas NTT faculty work, and…

In July 1989, Rio Salado Community College established an Adjunct Faculty Staffing and Development Program (AFSDP) with the following goals: to insure excellence in instruction through content consistency and the use of effective teaching and learning strategies; to increase adjunct faculty identification with the college and appreciation of the…

This book presents 11 author-contributed chapters concerning the role of adjunct college faculty, ways that such faculty members can obtain resources to maximize their effectiveness, and relationships of adjuncts with other faculty and the administration. Chapters have the following titles and authors: (1) "Program Policies and Administration"…