From: dr@ducvax.auburn.edu
Newsgroups: alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk,sci.econ,misc.jobs.misc,misc.education,sci.bio,sci.chem,sci.edu,sci.math,sci.physics
Subject: Re: Faculty underclass
Summary: Interesting note in *Science* v.258:1303
Date: 13 Dec 92 02:22:26 GMT
Organization: Auburn University, AL

In article <ByFyv2.AIw@NeoSoft.com>, claird@NeoSoft.com (Cameron Laird) writes:
> According to a couple of paragraphs on page 1303 of volume 258
> of *Science* (20 November 1992), the "AAUP in a new report de-
> cr[ies] the growth of a 'large but poorly paid "underclass"' of
> part-time faculty" at US colleges and universities.  "The AAUP
> says that almost 40% of faculty in higher education are part
> time ...  The AAUP calls on institutions to draw up long-term
> plans to reduce reliance on part-timers, who, it suggests, should
> make up no more than 15% of faculties.  . . .  The AAUP also pro-
> poses that part timers--who are disproportionately female--be
> made eligible for pay increases, promotions, fringe benefits,
> and inclusion in institutional governance."
> 
> Is this anything other than a losing battle?
> 
> I have plenty of my own opinions on collective action, the future
> of education in the US, the treatment of women, my own career,
> and so on, but I'm trying to ask a fairly narrow question, today.
> Does anyone see a fundamental difference between this report and
> such other rear-guard actions as textile industry quotas, the
> vehicle-worker strikes of the last two decades in the US, or the
> recent protests against BOAC's capital infusion into United Air?
> Until the AAUP expands its vision beyond protection of its own
> territory--and, in particular, until it shows leadership and
> imagination in negotiating the conflicts between the already-
> tenured and the not-on-tenure-track--it will stay on the wrong
> side of historical inevitability.
> -- 
> 
> Cameron Laird
> claird@Neosoft.com (claird%Neosoft.com@uunet.uu.net)	+1 713 267 7966
> claird@litwin.com (claird%litwin.com@uunet.uu.net)  	+1 713 996 8546


... 'Thought I'd expand the distribution of this thread, which was
origionally cross-posted to: alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk, sci.econ, 
misc.jobs.misc  -- the curious may wish to peruse the origional thread 
there, as a number of insightful points were raised in a non-volatile
manner.  I don't want to dilute the disciplined presentation with any
of my comments and questions just yet, except for this comment: 

*Everyone* I have broached the subject with has thought about this 
(or closely related topics) at considerable length.  Many had also 
seen the AAUP report, or other respected sources which would be 
accessible to those with access to a decent library.  I recognize 
that this understandably hot topic raises passions (mine especially) 
but feel the topic is important enough to warrent serious discussion.

	D.R.
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