FOR SOME ADJUNCTS at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), the recent news that they’ll now be paid three times per semester--not the traditional four times per academic term--is causing them to look elsewhere, including online, for work. According to a May 14, 2004, memo issued by MTSU’s Human Resources office, “Due to the academic calendar changes that will be effective for the fall 2004 semester, pay dates for adjunct faculty will be changed.”

The “academic calendar changes” the memo mentions refer to the fact that instead of beginning classes in mid-August, this fall courses will begin Aug. 30. However, instead of being a one-time only change in pay disbursement for fall, MTSU’s adjuncts will continue to be paid only three times (February, March and April) in the spring 2005 semester. Plus, according to the memo, “Adjunct contracts have been updated to reflect this change for all future semesters,” not merely the upcoming fall and spring.

Upset by the pay-disbursement change, several MTSU adjunct professors reportedly contacted the local office of The Tennessean newspaper, but chose not to go on record with their grievances. Kathy Musselman of MTSU’s HR office, however, did go on record in the June 13, 2004, story to state that MTSU was in compliance with the law and that most Tennessee institutions of higher ed. pay monthly.

Welcome! The article you'd like to read is available to Adjunct Advocate subscribers, or to non-subscribers for purchase with AdjunctNation Passport credits. Your AdjunctNation Passport credit purchases compensate the writers directly!

If you like, visit our secure online store to purchase AdjunctNation Passport credits or subscribe. PLEASE NOTE: If you're already registered, you don't need to register again to read the article! You need to login, go to our secure online store, and purchase AdjunctNationCredits.