When Solutions Become Problems: Taking a Stand on Part-Time Employment

The Relationship between Family Responsibilities and Employment Status among College and University Faculty

“…Nontenure-track appointments may provide colleges and universities with greater flexibility to respond to enrollment changes and shifts in enrollment across academic disciplines and may enable them to offer specialized courses without the commitment of resources that a tenure-track appointment entails. Nonetheless, Kasper et al (1986), Franklin et al (1988), and others have argued that the increasing use of part-time -and nontenure-track faculty undermines academic standards and diminishes the quality of undergraduate education. Gappa and Leslie (1993) concluded, based on their examination of the use of part-time faculty at 18 colleges and universities, that using part-time faculty does not necessarily improve efficiency or cost effectiveness.…”

“…Although some (e.g., Franklin et al, 1988) have recommended that some nontenure-track positions be converted to tenure-track assistant professor appointments, nontenure-track faculty are likely to continue to comprise a substantial proportion of our nation's faculty (Gappa & Leslie, 1993). The findings from this research suggest that individual colleges and universities should reexamine their policies and procedures regarding recruitment and tenure.…”

The Role of Part-time Faculty in the Quality of Instruction

“…Advertising was the largest single sequence at about 25 percent of the 184 units that were sequenced, followed closely by broadcasting with 23.4 percent, publicrelationswith 19 percent, news-editorial with18.5 percent and combinations of two ofthese at 8. 1 percent. Another 5.4 percent listed "~t h e r . "…”

“…A total of 1,443 adjuncts teach an average of 20 percent of allthe classes each term in these 214 units. Most (62.9%) teach skills courses only: another 31.5 percent teach both skills and theory classes; and fewer than 5 percent teach theory only.…”

One institution's success in increasing the number of minority faculty: A provost's perspective

“…The majority of colleges and universities hire relatively large numbers of part or full-time temporary faculty (Franklin, Laurence, & Denham 1988). A careful analysis of the budget will determine how much will be saved by the retirement of highly paid full professors, how much is currently spent on temporary faculty, and what the cost will be to convert some of these temporary, non tenure-track positions into tenure-track positions.…”