Letters to the Editor

Distance Education: A Global Perspective

Hello, I just wanted to send you a quick note to say how much I appreciated Matt Hall’s cartoons that capture the essence of life as an adjunct English teacher.

I’m writing more particularly about the article on distance learning. Although your survey of what’s happening internationally (“Distance Education: A Global Perspective,” January/February 2003) was useful background information, I guess I was hoping for a bit more analysis on the impact of this surge of growth in distance learning in the working conditions adjunct faculty face.

Although I’m a full-time teacher, responsible for coordinating adjunct faculty in our department, one major problem that I see from an adjunct’s point of view is that the college will not pay at the same level for development of courses; in fact, few colleges will pay for such development by adjunct faculty. So, increasingly, adjunct faculty may be asked to take on this expanded role without recognition or reimbursement—and are further hidden from the day-to-day work of a department.

Thank you.

Beth Camp, English Dept.
Linn-Benton Community College

Sometimes Teachers Should Lose Their Jobs

The instructor at Citrus College stole time from her students (“The Last Word,” May/June 2003). She deserves to at least repay a portion of their tuition for the class; she also deserves to be removed from her job for being unprofessional. Being late several times is sufficient cause to be terminated—using the first 10 minutes of class for self-aggrandizement is the same as starting class late. She has no case for defense, and the union should stay out of it.

As for the Columbia professor speaking out about the war in Iraq, I only pray to Allah that he is one of those in the next car, train, bus, airplane or building any new terrorists decide to blow up. Calling for the massacre and defeat of one’s own military forces is tantamount to treason. We all know of professors who use the classroom for their own personal vendettas and proselytizing particular political purviews. If it’s done in the context of a “political” class, so be it; however, in math, science, and other subjects politics has no place. The professor at Columbia should be fired.

I’ve only got 20 semesters as an adjunct, teaching communication, and I know I’m not the most wonderful professor ever. However, when a student leaves my classroom for the last time, communication skills have improved and self-image has climbed. I try to be the “guide at the side” and not the “sage on the stage.” Egos are best left at the door if the students, our future leaders, are to be truly served.

Jim Heaberg, Adjunct Instructor, English and Communication
Tokyo, Japan

University of Phoenix

I have been facilitating (University of Phoenix’s lingo) classes on-line for University of Phoenix for one year. The four-week training course and men-tored first class were excellent experiences, even if the training was unpaid. Provost Craig Swenson’s pay rate for on-line faculty is absurdly incorrect. I am paid $950 for a 5-week course with 13 students. I am expected to be in class at least 6 days per week. I figure my pay rate is $6 to $10 per hour. Swenson’s contention that “grading and preparation” are not included probably does raise the pay rate to maybe $30 per hour (not $50 to $80). How many adjunct faculty only count classroom time in calculating their workload? Swenson is playing fast and loose with the numbers, I believe, to mislead your readers.

Simple math. The class size is 13 (faculty get a whopping $100 extra for every student over that). The tuition for undergraduates is $1,266 per 3-credit hour course. Gross to University of Phoenix is therefore $16,456. Less $950 to me leaves a pre-other-expenses margin of $15,506 per course. In other words, the faculty member is paid only 5.7% of what University of Phoenix takes in for the class.

University of Phoenix faculty can only buy stock though the company plan after three years. The only expense I am reimbursed is $10 per month for my Internet Service Provider. As a part-timer, I am ineligible for the University of Phoenix 401K matching dollars, even though I am a W-2 employee and was denied the option of being a 1099 independent contractor. I cannot get a raise until I have taught for 3 years. Well no wonder profits are skyrocketing. The money sure as heck isn’t going toward compensating the part-time faculty.

Due solely to the University of Phoenix’s compensation package, I am currently researching other on-line teaching opportunities where the pay is better. I plan to take my University of Phoenix training where I am valued.

Name Withheld