Dr. Hiestand,

I hope the implication behind your response is not that the contingent faculty member who does not feel he is amply compensated for his work does not enjoy teaching. I can assure you that, as a former adjunct and current full-time, non-tenure-track faculty member, I would not have taught here for the less-than-$1,300-per-course I was initially paid if I did not enjoy teaching a great deal. The problem is, a person cannot pay her bills with the pleasure she obtains from her work alone. 

As one of the organizers of last week's Campus Equity Week events, I'm confident I can say our goal was not to whine about our pitiful lot here at the university, but instead to raise awareness of the exploitation of contingent faculty here and across the country. I hope an ongoing conversation about the issues here at UTC will lead to equity, not only in pay, but in other aspects of the job as well. Contingent faculty deserve to be treated as professionals, and should be valued for the contribution they make to the university, whether they have other full-time jobs or not.

Sincerely,


-----Original Message-----
From: "Dr. James W. Hiestand" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2003 15:49:33 -0500
Subject: Re: [UTCSTAFF] contingent faculty

        I'd like to respond to Prof. Efaw's message.

        Though some "contingent faculty" may be exploited, not all are.  I
was an adjunct engineering faculty member before returning to UTC full-time
in 1985.  While an adjunct I had a full-time job in industry and made more
(adjusted for inflation) than I do now at UTC.  I taught because I enjoyed
teaching and wanted to keep my foot in the door here.  Other professionals
in our community employed full-time or retired also teach because they like
teaching.  I think it may be an encouragement to our students to be taught
by such faculty.

        I also object to his characterization of the new Simulation Center
and associated PhD program as "sexy" or "exotic."  This is a quality program
with top-flight practitioners and brings prestige to UTC.  We are fortunate
to have this program.  Its presence does not detract from undergraduate
teaching nor affect the salaries of those who teach undergraduates.

        James W. Hiestand


Kristy L. Starks-Winn
Lecturer of English
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
423-425-4261