by P.D. Lesko

IN THIS ISSUE, readers will note several editorial changes. First among those changes is the addition of two new columns: "the commuter" and "technically speaking." The first column grew out of an idea that I had after reading about the income tax credits available to owners of electric-powered vehicles. Why not, I thought, have a column which deals directly with the fact that those adjunct faculty who piece together work at multiple universities often drive several hundred miles each week? The trick, however, is to choose topics for the column which interest all of the readers who commute, as well. Look for columns which cover a wide range of subjects, but always strive to help the adjunct faculty member make the most out of the commute.

The second column was born in a meeting I had this past August with marketing representatives at ABLongman. I believe that technology will continue to play an ever-increasing role in the classroom (for better and for worse). As adjunct faculty spend the majority of their time in the classroom, a column which covered the subject of technology in the classroom seemed an important addition. Who, though, would be best to write it? Could one author really hope to do justice to the subject? Even a full-time reporter would have a difficult time keeping up with important developments in the field.

When I mentioned this to Tami Wederbrand at ABLongman, she had an interesting suggestion. Why not tap ABLongman's long list of faculty authors? Of course, the whole idea is not to give the podium to the books, software or other products of any one publisher. However, authors who have done enough research, and have compelling enough ideas on a subject to interest a major publishing house, are good bets to contribute thoughtful and well-researched pieces. I hope you will agree that the column in this issue, written by Christine Hult, is just such a thoughtful, well-written and informative piece. Not all of the pieces for this column will be written by ABLongman authors. I would certainly welcome queries and column suggestions from those readers and free-lance writers who are technologically inclined. Which kinds of technologies do you use in the classroom? How have these technologies streamlined or changed the way you teach?

The next editorial change I want to talk about has to do with the "Letter to the Editor" section. We have received a steady stream of correspondence from readers. The vast majority of letters come, however, via e-mail. Given that adjunct faculty tend to be a "connected" lot, this comes as no surprise.

You may also have noticed in the past two issues that there are now cartoons in the "Letters to the Editor" section. I am a firm believer that laughter and satire play a crucial role in any publication. Matt Hall's cartoons are as well-drawn as they are well-aimed. He contributes two cartoons for each issue, and I can't tell you how pleased I am to have found him. To e-mail a letter to the editor, please send it along to us at: editor@adjunctadvocate.com.

I am excited to tell you that we're cooking up some rather extensive changes for the magazine's Web page, AdjunctNation.com. Users will soon be able to search a conference database, and enjoy monthly streaming media (video and audio) pieces. Users will also be able to download more book chapters from participating publishers. There is now a shopping cart on-line, as well. Visitors may renew or purchase subscriptions, books and reprints. We will soon add other items to the shopping cart, but do take advantage of it if you want to subscribe or renew.

Unless you registered to use the Web page within the past month, you may not know that we now collect data about where our Web users come from. How do faculty find AdjunctNation.com? One important way that users find out about the magazine and its Web page is by word of mouth. To those of you who've told a colleague or left issues of the magazine in the faculty lounge, I send along my sincere thanks. For those of you who think the magazine and Web page worthwhile resources, please take a moment and tell another adjunct faculty member. Leave a copy of the magazine in a colleague's mailbox, instead of the faculty lounge. Send off for sample copies to distribute (there's a form on page 27 of this issue). Take a moment and spread the word about the Adjunct Advocate. In the meantime, enjoy!