Hiring Adjunct/Part-Time Faculty
Part-time faculty status is defined as teaching 3 or fewer units. Most part-time faculty teach 1 or 2 units of coursework during a semester. Part-time faculty provide flexibility for meeting sabbatical needs, special enrollment needs or reassigned time for continuing faculty. Chairs are expected to minimize the hiring of part-time faculty.
As part of the teaching assignment projection (TAP) process, department chairs and program coordinators should work with Sharon Feldman to assess staffing needs each semester. All requests for adjunct support should be sent via e-mail to Sharon Feldman for initial approval prior to putting together the final class schedule for registration. It is the responsibility of the chair or program coordinator to locate individuals who are qualified to teach in the requested subject area and meet SACS requirements. If the individual does not meet the requirements of SACS for coursework or a degree in the field, but brings special expertise or experience that would meet SACS expectations, the chair or program coordinator must write a letter explaining how the individual’s experience or credentials justifies him/her to teach.
Once adjunct requests are approved, chairs and coordinators should aim to submit the adjunct information and approval form by February 28 for fall hiring and by September 30 for spring hiring.
The adjunct appointment letters issued to adjunct faculty have a clause that indicates the class may be cancelled at the last minute because of low enrollment. All adjunct appointment letters are for a single semester.
Chairs are expected to mentor adjunct faculty and provide them with guidance in the preparation of course syllabi and classroom policies.
At the conclusion of an adjunct-taught course, the department chair/supervisor reviews the course evaluations, offers guidance and critique as needed, and makes any personnel changes (e.g., termination, additional support, etc.)
Compensation and Benefits
The current pay scale for adjunct/part-time faculty teaching 1 unit is:
- M.A. or M.S. - $4,400
- M.F.A., Ph.D. or J.D. - $5,400
Science laboratory instructors are paid according to the terms above, except in the case of stand-alone laboratories that are subject to a different pay scale.
No fringe benefits are provided except access to selected university resources and parking. For temporary faculty, part-time or full-time, who must commute a one-way distance of more than 45 miles, we will allow reimbursement for mileage up to an amount based on the number of days that they teach on campus. For more information on Commuting Stipend, please visit this page.
