This paper discusses the legal precedents and implications for non-renewal of elementary, secondary, and university and college probationary faculty. Selected federal and state cases are reviewed to show the evolution of case law from the early 1950s to the present day. Analysis of the court cases reveals that for the last 40 years the courts have…

Drawing from 18 years of experience as an adjunct professor at a community college and 3 years as a non-tenured full-time faculty member, the President of the Faculty Senate of Valencia Community College (VCC) offers a number of personal observations on the ways in which adjunct faculty and faculty senates can address the problems encountered by…

Since the early 1970s the composition of faculty in communication departments and in higher education in general has changed dramatically. A review of the literature shows that increasingly, part-time instructors have come to dominate faculties in roles that have shifted from occasionally offering an outside specialty to regularly replacing…

The academic qualifications, experience, and productivity of nontenure-track and tenured/tenure-track full-time and part-time faculty at a state university are compared, based on the results of a 1985 study. Recommendations concerning working conditions and policy for nontenure-track faculty are also offered. Findings include: almost 87% of…

The role of academic staff and faculty members in college governance was studied at two public universities. The frame of reference was the social contract model, which posits that individuals give up some rights in order to have other rights protected. Documents were analyzed and interviews were conducted with 50 staff: full professors and…

The trend toward extending nontenured faculty members' probationary periods beyond the traditional 6 years, is discussed, along with problems faced by faculty at the time of nonrenewal, implications for academic careers, and the issue of multiple standards for faculty evaluation within an institution. (MSE)

The primary purpose of "National CrossTalk" is to stimulate informed discussion and debate of higher education issues. This publication contains the following articles: (1) "Truth in Tuition" (Susan C. Thomson); (2) In Katrina's Wake (Kathy Witkowsky); (3) News from the Center: New Center Associates; (4) Colorado On the Edge…

This paper identifies information sources on new and junior college faculty and summarizes information on (1) who the new and junior faculty are; (2) what their careers are like; and (3) the nature of their work experience. Differences between tenure and nontenure track faculty, the genders, and new and junior faculty are noted. (DB)

A case study of a large research university illustrates the increasing use of nontenured faculty. Origins of the expansion are examined, arrangements used to resolve staffing problems are described, and their effectiveness and general consequences for departments are assessed. It is concluded that while short-term negative outcomes can be…

Argues that judicial deference to a university's denial of tenure based on an allegedly unclear accent may be unjust. Discusses: (1) the usual tenure process; (2) Title VII action and academic deference; (3) evidence that inherent bias against accents in the classroom hurts non-white instructors; and (4) proposed action for courts and…

This study examined the faculty reward system in public universities to ascertain how the current system affects faculty use of time especially by faculty at Ohio's 13 public universities. The study reviewed how university norms and incentives regarding promotion and tenure influence a faculty member's decision to focus on research over teaching…

A study was done to explore the perceptions of senior and junior faculty women regarding the barriers to success experienced early in their academic careers. The study population was drawn from a colleague pairing program at a major urban research university in the western United States and consisted of 22 junior faculty in tenure track positions…

This monograph examines gender differences and related issues in higher education faculty and proposes steps to change the current climate to resolve gender inequalities, solve the impending shortage of faculty, and improve diversity among faculty. A look at the status of women in academia finds that women are an under-represented group in tenured…

Mentoring programs have consistently demonstrated their value in assisting new and early faculty members to make successful adjustments and productive contributions to the academy. Yet, mentoring programs have failed to be consistently implemented despite their efficacy and increasing levels of job dissatisfaction reported by new and early faculty…

The National Education Association (NEA) regards the misuse and abuse of part-time, temporary, and nontenure track faculty appointments as one of the most serious problems confronting American higher education. This report discusses the following topics and gives NEA's recommendations to colleges and universities: (1) categories of part-time,…