Hello friends of the blogosphere,
I hope this blog finds you all well after a safe and relaxing holiday. I’m sure that many of you have been too tired to even think about syllabus writing, course preps or research. I’m in the same boat, but my dissertation has been put off for too long. So I have fired up my laptop once again, and figured that writing a bit for you all would be a nice warm up.
Plans for thenewadjunct.com are coming along nicely. In coming entries to this blog, I’ll share with you more about the process of designing and launching the web site (I’ll also pass along opportunities for you to get involved, so stay tuned). So far, feedback has been great. Responses have been very supportive, and I feel really confident about all the site can be. One comment, in particular really speaks to my professional convictions. So much so, that it is the motivation behind this entry.
The comment is simple: “Why put the effort into launching thenewadjunct.com?” The answer, at surface level, is just as simple. We conceptualized this site as an outlet to inform adjunct faculty on the secrets of the academy that they aren’t always privy to. Further, we found it important to hear from all of you out there, as illustrations of the frustrations and triumphs adjunct faculty face. Finally, we feel as if adjuncts need to be showcased. It is my personal hope that our page can serve as a space to celebrate you, and your work.
Regarding the secrets of the academy, I feel as if many of them keep adjuncts from landing the full-time employment they desire. One of the “secrets” is the scope of full-time faculty appointments. While most institutions will never fully admit it, the days are over when a candidate could be competitive with a Master’s Degree alone. In an economy that, despite minor rejuvenation remains weak, even the entry-level instructor position requires a Doctorate.
If you think about it, it’s perfectly sensible. A weak economy leads to a more competitive job market. Experienced academicians are beating out young Ph.D.s for tenure-track positions, leaving newly branded doctorates to apply for the non-tenured positions that were previously given to candidates with Master’s Degrees. What this means for most adjuncts is that despite all of the years of teaching experience, the recognized terminal degree in higher education in the United States will trump all. While this is not meant to question the intentions of all who offer the encouraging words of “keep teaching for us and something will come up,” it does expose a paradox between the perception and reality of part-time faculty. The adjunct faculty member is no longer (and some would argue have never been) perceived as a profession. Traditionally, they are viewed as resources of wisdom that have full-time employment, and simply seek to impart their knowledge in the classroom. They aren’t doing research, seeking grants or trying to “break in” to the profession. Mind you, we know better.
The name “The new adjunct” comes from the belief that the current perception of adjuncts is outdated. We’re no longer retired high school teachers, and corporate executives looking to teach a couple of classes on the side. We’re now 20, 30, and even 40+ something’s who have finished Master Degrees and want to pursue teaching as a full-time profession. For many of us the Doctorate may be a couple years away, or a long shot, nestled in the backseat to family lives or in many cases, a much needed break from student status. We no longer seek to represent the “mid-life crisis” of faculty—more qualified than graduate assistants, yet without the credentials of our tenured counterparts. This declaration may not do much to nullify the fact that we are losing positions to the terminally degreed, and non-tenure track positions are at a premium. However, it does provide a salient context to begin new discussions about adjunct faculty. It’s no surprise that we’re overworked, underpaid, and professionally frustrated. It’s also old news that we’re sick of being denied professional development opportunities because we’re not full time. So, let’s change the conversation to something a little more productive.
The new adjunct seeks to move the discourse toward more productive topics that will help enhance professional opportunities for adjuncts. Can we guarantee that our page will ensure full-time employment? No, that’d be silly. Can we guarantee that you will agree with everything we say? Of course not. What we can guarantee is that we will do our best to try and provide space to highlight your work, feature your dedications, and share insights that will help use all move forward in our professional struggles. We welcome your comments, your questions, your debates and your opinions. We’ll have an announcement page to praise your successes, and share opportunities as they arise (i.e. grant dollars, information about Ph.D. programs, etc).
With that, all the best for 2010! Now get back to those syllabi!
