Letters to the Editor

Why Do I Do It? Good Question

After reading Dr. Susan Mazur-Stommen’s article “Why Do I Do it? Good Question” (July/August 2005 Adjunct Advocate), I felt compelled to commend her for an accurate and wonderfully written article about the exploitation of adjunct faculty. I call us “Academic Sharecroppers” for the reasons she eloquently states. Those of us slaving in the fields of academia are little more than “field hands.” We work hard and put in long hours for Jack-in-the-Box wages. Why do we do it?
Wendell V. Fountain, D.B.A.

What an arrogant, opinionated, simplistic, irreligious jerk!

Those of us who believe in the “theory” of creationism over the theory of evolution would have both taught, not try to force everyone to learn only “our” idea of which is correct, nor try to rewrite textbooks to try to get our theory taught as fact! As for her idiotic attitude toward graduates of public school systems that would teach creationism, she knows nothing about the rest of the curriculum, and her attitude toward legislators and legislative bodies is truly ill-informed. Just because she does not believe in creationism does not make her opinion correct! Her anti-religious prejudice is showing clearly.

I have been both an adjunct and a full-time instructor (and an excellent one, I might add), in both a community college and a small university. Being a good teacher/instructor really has no bearing on whether one gets a job in a large university — research and publishing is everything. Okay, you have to be on committees, too.

If Ms. Mazur-Stommen has published as extensively as she indicates, then there is another reason why she hasn’t been offered a position; maybe it’s her abrasive, arrogant attitude!
B. Bachman

Champaign-Urbana, IL

After reading Mazur-Stommens recent article, it would seem obvious why full-time positions are hard to come by for her. The underlying bitter attitude in the article would make me less likely to hire her, even less willing to want to work with her, and even more unlikely to ever take a class from her. It seems that the tone of the article does exactly what she accuses others of doing. Her arrogance is a major negative, and it might be wise to look inward instead of point the finger outward.

Give us something a little more positive next time.
Jamie Bingham

Surprises in the Academy (Not!)

I enjoyed your article, and sympathize concerning the injustices suffered by adjunct professors. If this helps, most of my adjunct professors have been the most helpful, to-the-point, and encouraging teachers I have ever met.

Please take heart. Think of the positive impact you have on the students like myself you are helping. That is how you measure the fruits of your labor.

A very grateful student,
Victoria Williams

Waiting

I teach at the University of Cincinnati, and am one of the part-time faculty who are waiting for Dr. Zimpher to recognize our union. I found the piece well-written, and extremely well-researched. It is a shame that President Zimpher has chosen, up to this point, not to do the right thing and recognize our right to bargain collectively.

When Dr. Zimpher came to the U of C, I had high hopes that she would make every effort to treat the university’s many adjunct and part-time faculty more equitably. Instead she relies on henchmen, such as Dr. Karen Faaborg, who wonders aloud, for the sake of only lord knows who, if our union is still around. I will make a prediction: the adjunct faculty union at the University of Cincinnati will still be around long after Karen Faaborg has gone on to greener pastures.
Name Withheld
Cincinnati, OH

Don’t Ask the Adjuncts

After I finished reading the “Desk Drawer” columns in the July/August 2005 issue (“And Speaking of Not Asking the Adjuncts…” and ”Is Harper College a Great Place to Work? Don’t Ask the Adjuncts”), I had to write. How perfect for adjuncts (faculty who are ignored, overlooked, exploited and left to wither on the vine that is the Academy) to be left out of faculty surveys at their respective institutions. Administrators at George Washington University and Harper College are not only missing an important opportunity to communicate with their people on the front lines, so to speak, but have ended up looking inept, as well. I am delighted that you published these news pieces, so that practices such as these are exposed. Adjunct faculty not only deserve to be heard, they deserve to be respected for the word they do at their institutions. Keep up the good work!
Jack D. Gregerson
Washington, DC

Is GW a good place to work? Maybe for President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, who earns over half a million dollars every year. Certainly not for the part-time faculty, whose legally elected union Dr. Trachtenberg has just refused to recognize. No wonder George Washington officials decided not want to solicit the comments of part-time faculty in the worker survey. I know what I would’ve written.
David Delafield
Fairfax, VA