Sunday, September 15, 2013

Updated Statistics on the Misery

I enjoy reading this graphic -- not because I am a masochist who loves pain and misery, but because it puts in rather stark terms the struggle we or our colleagues are facing, right now, at all of our institutions.

If only there were an easy solution.

[Clicking on the original link below and opening the graphic there may provide easier reading. Or try CTRL + to make your screen a bit bigger.]









7 comments:

  1. Fortunately, the situation isn't QUITE as bleak... there are "issues" with the claims in this graphic.

    http://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/2013/09/the-adjunct-crisis.html

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  2. I like the graphic, but am not quite sure what to make of the "brought to you by" site (which matters mostly because I'm tempted to print it out and post it on my office door). When I saw the address, I was hoping it was somebody's attempt to lure and warn potential Ph.D. candidates, but it looks instead like a site that's trying to balance discussing the subject realistically with hoping, perhaps, to draw advertising revenue? Or something else? I can't quite figure out basic rhetorical-analysis stuff like intended audience and purpose.

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  3. It's not a website I'm familiar with, but this graphic is bouncing around facebook today. A good dozen of my friends (who don't necessarily know each other) have posted it within the past day.

    The graphic mirrors my own experiences in the past few years, before I landed Ye Olde Awesome Job earlier this year.

    Best comment on this graphic so far:

    "Being an adjunct is like being your crush's Fuck Buddy. They only call you when they need you, they are never available when you need them, and you will never hope to upgrade to the full-time."

    Sounds about right.

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    Replies
    1. Damn skippy, sounds about right, AdMonk.

      I can't deny, I have had it better than most ... currently two adjunct appointments one which provides me a full public employee benefits package (pro-rated. of course, but I have had full health coverage) and one of the higher paid online graduate programs.

      Still, to earn a sustenance wage, I have maintained 150 - 200% TT load for the past 6 years.

      I've also suffered the silent termination from other programs.

      But (::fingers crossed::) I may be on the precipice of rejoining the care and feeding of wombats professional corps. Then, next term, I might be able to return adjuncting to my original intention -- something on the side that helped fund the extras, not was relied upon to keep the lights on and food on the table.

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    2. That sounds good, A&S (I'm at 200% TT load, too, but with full benefits, all at the same place, a multi-year contract, and c. 2/3 TT wage -- not perfect, but far better than most contingent jobs, and all part-time ones).

      Fingers crossed for you!

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    3. And yes, the Fuck Buddy analogy works extremely well. It can even be extended to what happens in case your line becomes TT/FB decides to marry -- it almost certainly won't be you.

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  4. What's sad is that as good number of institutions, like mine, experience enrollment declines, the adjuncts are the first to get cut. Fewer sections, fewer adjuncts.

    If things continue the way they are at my CC, there will hardly be enough enrollment for the full-timers. The adjuncts get essentially "laid off."

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