Hoping to change the perception that adjunct faculty members are exploited, the Illinois Board of Higher Education on Tuesday released a study concluding that part-time and non-tenured college instructors are generally satisfied with their jobs and salaries.
But the report, which prompted strong criticism from union groups and teachers attending the board’s meeting at DePaul University, also observes that while few part-timers “believe they are mistreated,” the potential for inequity exists.
Because non-tenured faculty members and part-timers, who now make up nearly half of all university faculties, are often excluded from the administration of their departments, their workloads and pay may depend more on departmental whimsy than formal personnel policies, the study finds.
These faculty members deserve a voice in how their institutions are run, it says.
The study, however, rejects the notion that the board place a limit on the percentage of part-time and non-tenure teachers in a faculty.
Instead of quelling the controversy, the study stirred strong emotions. Speakers attacked the legitimacy of the report, saying the state board had merely served up something palatable to its tastes on the issue.
“There’s no hard data and no specific recommendations,” said Mitch Vogel, president of the University Professionals of Illinois.
Joseph Laiacona, president of the Part-Time Faculty Association at Columbia College, offered this study summary: “Your report is lousy, folks.”
Phil Rock, former Illinois Senate majority leader and the president of the Higher Education Board, characterized the study as “a work in progress.” He said part-time faculty play an important role at Illinois colleges and universities and noted the issue of their treatment deserves close attention.
“Whether or not we’re being totally fair I suggest in many instances probably we’re not,” said Rock. “There’s been a move to make it better and I hope we continue to move.”
The board took no action on the study. Rock said he expects the board, at its April meeting, will address recommendations raised by the report.
Aside from the controversy over the findings, there was no question that the number of part-time and non-tenure track teachers is growing.
At Illinois public universities, 49 percent of all faculty members in 1999 were non-tenure track or part-timers–up from 41 percent in 1991.
Meanwhile, about 75 percent of community college faculty members are part-time, according to the study.
In terms of compensation, the median salary for a tenured university professor during the fall term was $25,200–or just about double that of a full-time teacher who lacks tenure.
In other action Tuesday, the Higher Education Board unanimously adopted a resolution recommending that candidates hoping to enter teacher preparation programs–or teachers wanting to specialize–should have passed the appropriate state tests before engaging in those pursuits.
“That endorsement does not have the effect of law,” said board spokesman Don Sevener. “If that is to become a state policy, it would require legislation.”
