Hello CMers. I've been asked to chair a committee that is part of our strategery planning. With the chairmanship I can either be paid at the adjunct rate for one course, or be released from one course. Which would you take, the money or the release?
Certainly, it depends on the amount of actual work you'll do on the committee and how much adjuncts get paid. Do you need more money or can you afford to spend more time at work?
I was given time off from a course this semester to deal with some Big Important University Committee work. The routine of teaching is easier than the unexpected, irregular choirs of the committee. I wasn't offered extra pay but it wouldn't have been worth it anyway.
Neither, long range planning Comm's are a joke, and you perpetuate the farce by participating. Get a personal guaranty from the Provost that your recommendations will be acted on, or walk away. Don't whore yourself out for course release or money (yes I have a strong opinion about this aspect of shared governance).
Wait, you GET something?! I recently got put in the same position and was given the joy of chairing it as my compensation. What kind of nickel and dime place do I work at? Sheesh.
honest prof is probably right but committees are part of evaluations and tenure. If you take the "time off"everyone wants you to do something for them since you have more time. I suggest take the pay.
release time, for certain. You can avoid letting this get filled in with more admin work by arranging your schedule by declaring that one day, or two afternoons, or however it works, a week, are "research time", which you will spend in the library, or working at home, or anywhere at all that is nowhere near your department office. If they don't see you they won't think of you as "having time off".
The money will get taxed at the top end of your bracket; you'll lose half of it. Adjuncts in Canada are relatively well-paid compared to some in the US, but an extra course at adjunct pay for me would work out to only another $208 per month for the year, after taxes. The time is worth infinitely more than that.
Well if your instution is anything like mine, if you break down our salary on a class-per-class basis, professors are paid _way_ more per class than adjuncts. So in that sense, hour-per-hour, the course release means more in terms of dollars than an adjunct- pay-bump. Your time _is_ money. And even if it didn't mean anything in terms of dollars, I would still say GO WITH THE COURSE RELEASE!! ;)
Course, course, course, course.
ReplyDeleteTake the release. Unless adjuncts are paid royally at your institution.
ReplyDeleteCertainly, it depends on the amount of actual work you'll do on the committee and how much adjuncts get paid. Do you need more money or can you afford to spend more time at work?
ReplyDeleteI was given time off from a course this semester to deal with some Big Important University Committee work. The routine of teaching is easier than the unexpected, irregular choirs of the committee. I wasn't offered extra pay but it wouldn't have been worth it anyway.
My advice: avoid being the chair all together.
Neither, long range planning Comm's are a joke, and you perpetuate the farce by participating. Get a personal guaranty from the Provost that your recommendations will be acted on, or walk away. Don't whore yourself out for course release or money (yes I have a strong opinion about this aspect of shared governance).
ReplyDeleteWait, you GET something?! I recently got put in the same position and was given the joy of chairing it as my compensation. What kind of nickel and dime place do I work at? Sheesh.
ReplyDeletehonest prof is probably right but committees
ReplyDeleteare part of evaluations and tenure.
If you take the "time off"everyone wants you to do something for them since you have more time.
I suggest take the pay.
release time, for certain. You can avoid letting this get filled in with more admin work by arranging your schedule by declaring that one day, or two afternoons, or however it works, a week, are "research time", which you will spend in the library, or working at home, or anywhere at all that is nowhere near your department office. If they don't see you they won't think of you as "having time off".
ReplyDeleteThe money will get taxed at the top end of your bracket; you'll lose half of it. Adjuncts in Canada are relatively well-paid compared to some in the US, but an extra course at adjunct pay for me would work out to only another $208 per month for the year, after taxes. The time is worth infinitely more than that.
If you are making over $45k, take the course release. If you are an underpaid nonentity, take the money.
ReplyDeleteI'm with AM. Take the release. Even with the planning work that takes its place, one less course to grade is always the way to go.
ReplyDeleteWell if your instution is anything like mine, if you break down our salary on a class-per-class basis, professors are paid _way_ more per class than adjuncts. So in that sense, hour-per-hour, the course release means more in terms of dollars than an adjunct- pay-bump. Your time _is_ money. And even if it didn't mean anything in terms of dollars, I would still say GO WITH THE COURSE RELEASE!! ;)
ReplyDelete