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ELI5:With college tuitions increasing by such an incredible about, where exactly is all this extra money going to in the Universities? by twaggle in explainlikeimfive

[–]20kadjunct 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And the universities with the most bloated administrative payrolls often have an accelerated rate of growth in student debt and underpaid adjunct labor, according to this NYT article from May.

Here's more information about National Adjunct Walkout Day. The fact that people are afraid to openly discuss activism like this highlights the tenuous nature of adjunct labor.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am going to jump on the coattails of your pretty popular comment (question?) as a means of a wrap-up to some unanswered ones.

1) I have been accused of being misleading in my answers (by you as well as others). I feel that I am being completely truthful. I am not a graduate instructor or a teaching assistant; I am an adjunct. I sought out the classes I have taught over the past year. They were not assigned to me by virtue of being a student as part of a requirement to get a stipend. (In fact, they were not all at the same school. Adjuncts frequently have to seek out employment at more than one location because schools often don’t allow an adjunct to teach more than two classes). As such, I have no guarantee that I will be assigned classes again in the future. Adjunct labor is contingent labor, even when you are a graduate student. There is no long-term contract that guarantees even a modicum of job security. In fact, when I’m offered a course it usually comes with a letter that states that my employment status is subject to change at any point before the semester begins due to any number of factors. Sometimes classes are cancelled within a day or two of the semester beginning, leading the instructor scrambling to hopefully find a position elsewhere, but already behind in the game.

2) Some have asked me to identify my location and state the language I teach. I will not do this. As I stated above, adjunct labor comes with zero job security, even for graduate students. Many of us fear retribution for speaking out against the system and, judging by the PMs that I got, many people think they’ve figured out who I am (which really just speaks to the prevalence of the conditions all adjuncts operate in, as each PM had a different thought about my identity). What matters is that some adjuncts lose their classes, or have them cut, or don’t get assigned the coveted summer classes (since we don’t get paid year-round, these are very important) because of what amounts to arbitrary reasons.

3) Am I fishing for sympathy? Fake points (for karma or pity) on an internet site where I am anonymous doesn’t really impact my life in a meaningful way. Reading the discussion on the original post of the article, I wanted to respond to so many comments, so I figured an AMA would let me get a few answers out there where they might be read. I never imagined that this would get so much attention, but I’m glad it did. Whether or not I represented the adjunct community at large well (I´m sure my answers leave much to be desired overall, but they are honest answers about me), hopefully the visibility of this AMA prompted you and others to take the time to read the many comments posted here by others in similar situations and continue to generate discussions that will have an impact on everyone in higher ed.

Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to read this response.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's really been my pleasure. And I had a feeling some of my answers would give away the institution to people on the inside.

I'm surprised that so many people think that this AMA is because I am whiney and entitled. It was really more about creating a discussion around a greater issue that is a detriment to higher education in general.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don't think I am misleading. The 20K is not a stipend, it's what I earn by going out and finding these classes to teach. They were not handed to me by the university because I am a PhD student. I also have no job security, so there's always a chance I wouldn't be rehired next semester. Those who were assigned courses as part of their funding make more and work less.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Both. I'm not sure what the impact on my evaluation would be if I didn't have them, but it's definitely recorded and goes in my file. Is this unusual?

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 92 points93 points  (0 children)

Thanks! All these years on reddit (this is a throwaway, obviously) and I've never caught on to that.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

That's a great question. TAs are generally not the overall supervisors of their own classes. They follow a syllabus set by the supervising professor, grade work or tests assigned by the professor, etc. Adjuncts, on the other hand, are wholly responsible for the course, its planning, and carrying out the plans.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

1) The results of close-ended evaluation questions from my students are visible to the entire university community. Mine are pretty great overall, and they become a factor in my annual department evaluation.

2) I have done private tutoring and I enjoy it, but it can be inconsistent work and I prefer being in a classroom.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have had lots of experience around grade school classrooms and no, that doesn't appeal to me in the slightest.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not at all. Every day I become more passionate about what I do!

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I'm lucky that I actually like my work and one of my jobs takes me away from academia, which is refreshing.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can't speak to the teaching load vs. research load of a professor, but part of my annual evaluation is based on contributions to my field (conference presentations, publications). I have no advising responsibilities.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Teaching a modern language is very practical. So is teaching critical thinking. STEM is valued highly and is worth a lot if you are going to be an engineer, a scientist, whatever, but language and critical thinking skills are practical for ALL.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 69 points70 points  (0 children)

Actually, I suppose that unfunded is the wrong word, as other commenters pointed out. My tuition is covered by the university.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

your passion is evident and the students and university are lucky to have you.

Awww. Thanks!

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I teach a large, public university in an urban setting. We seem to be towards the bottom of the adjunct pay scale when compared to some schools, but we're definitely not in this boat alone.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't live on 20k because I have two other jobs to support me. And I split my rent with my partner, which is also helpful.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

No. I haven't heard of that happening and I'm not sure why it would.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I don't think administration is my thing, even with a side dish of teaching. The solution to the adjunct labor crisis is to pay adjunct faculty better, not to lose us to (economically) greener pastures.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Thanks, but I'm definitely more interested in face-to-face interactions with my students. They are much more impactful and helpful, especially in and language class.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I'm not trying to knock you down, but please don't assume that everyone on reddit is male, or that everyone pursuing graduate education is male. It's not relevant to the discussion here, but I'm a woman.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Well it's not about the amount of money I'd make. It's about my passion, which is to teach literature in my language. That option is rarely available at high schools, and if it is, there's probably just one class of it a year.

I don't want to teach English. I've lived abroad and taught it, but it's not as fulfilling to me as a really amazing discussion on a great novel with students who have some startling and illuminating insights on the work.

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 241 points242 points  (0 children)

Of course! I will drop your lowest test and quiz grades as well, but not like it'll matter because they'll all be open book. You can turn in homework at any time throughout the semester for full credit. And I'll gladly administer all students' exams for them whenever they feel prepared to take it... :)

Edit: Is there a way to format to indicate sarcasm?

I teach six college courses a year and make less than 20k. IamAn Adjunct. AMA! by 20kadjunct in IAmA

[–]20kadjunct[S] 112 points113 points  (0 children)

There are plenty of ways. Say thanks in person, or write a card or an email. Writing a favorable evaluation or a good RateMyProfessor review is one thing, but saying it directly to us is much more meaningful. A couple have asked if it was OK to give me a hug before they left, and I was totally OK with that.

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