College adjunct instructors are often the “workhorses” of an institution, teaching the many low level core courses that fill the requirements of a growing undergraduate population. Under recessionary times, some institutions are adding adjuncts instead of filling full time vacancies while other institutions are eliminating adjunct positions to cut costs, resulting in larger classes and added teaching responsibilities for full time faculty. As institutions address the role of the adjunct, certain considerations – like limited benefits – should be a part of that discussion.
Benefits for Adjunct Instructors
Some adjuncts that teach at multiple institutions earn better than average incomes. Writing in the Chronicle Review (Chronicle of Higher Education), Douglas Texter flourishes as an adjunct, making $100,000 a year (“No Tenure? No Problem: How to make $100,000 a year as an adjunct English Instructor,” March 6, 2009). Texter gives ten tips for succeeding as an adjunct while at the same time earning top dollars.
This is not the norm for most adjuncts, particularly those that only teach one or two classes to supplement income from full-time positions elsewhere. But if Texter’s prediction is true, that “adjuncting is the way of the future,” then institutions should consider a limited plateau of benefits based on the number of years adjuncts have been teaching at that college and how many semester courses they are given.
For example, adjuncts with five uninterrupted years of service who teach a minimum of four classes per semester should be given health care benefits and/or a limited retirement benefit. Rewarding long term adjuncts encourages institutional loyalty that translates into positive-minded faculty members.
Adjuncts versus Full Time Staff
If the primary purpose of an educational institution, whether that is a community college or four-year senior institution, is the academic process, adjuncts are as qualified as many full-time instructors without doctorate degrees. In most cases, both teach by virtue of a Master's degree and 18 graduate hours in the field they are teaching.
Full time instructors do have responsibilities beyond the classroom and teach more courses than most adjuncts. Full time instructors advise students, help with registration, attend committee meetings, serve on boards, and are charged with frequent on-going endeavors like community service projects and college outreach programs.
These are the factors that dictate competitive salary packages and benefits for full time instructors. Adjuncts are typically paid a flat fee per course or, as in the case of some community colleges, an hourly rate. Yet their academic credentials and experience level frequently duplicates those of full time instructors.
Redefining the Adjunct Position
Colleges seeking loyalty and consistency should consider the position of “permanent adjunct” that includes some benefits. Permanent adjuncts could be assigned 4 or more semester classes and, by building longevity, work toward a threshold that qualifies them for either specific benefits or a menu of benefits.
More qualified instructors would be drawn to teaching, particularly those who have retired early from other jobs, have become unemployed, or are not yet ready to stop working altogether. The attraction of benefits as well as a programs highlighting longevity might also attract significant talent that might gravitate to other career tracks.
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