Reviews recent studies on the plight of part-time faculty at the college level and attempts to achieve a perspective that fits the treatment of part-time teachers into an overall scheme. (CRH)

In a personal narrative reflecting on 27 years of teaching, an adjunct faculty member realizes that she knows quite a bit firsthand about the adjunct. Judith Gappa and David Leslie, in their 1993 book, "The Invisible Faculty," state that budgets are balanced and classes assigned on the assumption that 20 to 50% of all undergraduate…

Employment of part-time, temporary, and non-tenure track faculty can be hazardous to programs, institutions, individuals, and even the character of the academic profession, but in some situations, when carefully applied, it may lead to substantial benefits. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the growing community college reliance on adjunct professors to absorb greater numbers of students in the face of declining budgets. Describes policies for assigning courses, benefits for students from adjuncts' expertise and special skills, concerns held by adjuncts and other faculty, and opportunities for administrators to show support…

Even at institutions where highly trained, highly motivated, and deeply committed part-timers teach, part-time instruction can adversely affect teaching, the support of students, the general quality of education, and morale in departments.

In this introduction to the papers in this volume, the author argues that the central role of contingent appointees in undergraduate education is beyond dispute, and, yet, the implications for undergraduate learning are very much in dispute. Understanding of this issue and correction of such problems as may exist begin by focusing discussion of…

Explores the research regarding the profile and perspectives of part-time two-year college faculty in English. Considers weekly time management, research and professional activities, and views regarding the profession of teaching. Argues that all faculty should increase their activism in support of part-time faculty and their needs. (HB)

Discusses the employment conditions and levels of satisfaction of the increasing numbers of full- and part-time college faculty members ineligible for tenure. Recommends extension of academic freedom, a reasonable amount of job security for all faculty, inclusion of tenure-ineligible faculty members in governance, and basing faculty rewards and…

This study used data from the 1993 National Study of Postsecondary Faculty to examine the extent to which the concentration of women among part-time and nontenure-track faculty is related to family responsibilities. It found that in fact the effects of family responsibilities are less advantageous for women than for men. (EV)

At the post-secondary level, 38% of teaching is done by adjunct faculty. How did the profession become so divided? The answer goes beyond the academic profession because full-time positions are getting splintered into part-time ones all over the United States, but nevertheless academics make themselves particularly vulnerable because of their…

Part-time instructors make up an increasingly large percentage of college faculty. In English departments, part-time instructors take on the least prestigious and most demanding work--the teaching of writing--for low wages and without job security or professional recognition. This unfair treatment stems from the belief that the study and teaching…

The American Association of University Professors statement concerns policies and practices that open senior academic appointments to persons with reduced workloads and salaries without loss of status. (MSE)

Discusses the issue of hiring part-time faculty to teach college English courses. Describes how the English department at Pennsylvania State University was forced to deal with this problem. (MM)

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.…

The trend toward hiring of part-time faculty, most evident at two-year colleges, angers many faculty groups. Critics contend the practice exploits part-time teachers to help colleges balance their budgets, erodes educational quality, and threatens tenure. These faculty are also most likely to be laid off during retrenchment. (MSE)