Adjuncts’ academic freedom snuffed out

by E Wayne Ross on October 22, 2008

St. Petersburg Times: Adjuncts’ academic freedom snuffed out

By Bill Maxwell, Times Columnist

On four different occasions during my teaching career, I was an adjunct professor — twice at major universities, twice at community colleges. Back then, adjuncts made up about 40 percent of the nation’s college professors. Now, they account for a whopping 70 percent.

Although the use of adjuncts has increased, one thing remains the same: Adjuncts are still treated like stepchildren and orphans on their campuses. Most adjuncts can accept the low pay because they need the job. Most can accept the high number of students they are assigned, and most can accept the lack of adequate office space and other amenities the tenured professors take for granted.

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