by Shari Dinkins

FOR MOST APPLICANTS, the Hiring Committee is a mysterious entity. What happens behind the closed doors of a conference room on our own campus can affect hundreds of lives. Yet, the details of what is discussed cannot be revealed to candidates. After attending a Hiring Committee orientation at a very large urban community college where I have taught and talking to a number of tenured instructors who have served on hiring committees, I would like to try to unravel some of this mystery for applicants—particularly adjuncts. Although your campus may have different processes, depending on size and function, this exploration may help some understand the complex process of hiring.

POSITION POSTING
After the department head requests a position, the Human Resources department gives information about faculty hiring, the search and other forms to the department head. The Position Allocation and Budget Planning committees must concur before the search committee is formed. An Affirmative Action monitor is identified, and the Human Resources department checks that the search committee includes underrepresented groups (this percentage varies from campus to campus).

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