The University of California campuses are among a small but growing number of research universities adopting new policies--or reinvigorating old ones--that allow tenure-track and tenured professors to work part time. Typically, professors interested in scaling back their work want more time to care for young children, a sick relative, or an aging…

At a time when colleges are under increasing financial pressure to rely more on part-time instructors, three new studies suggest that doing so erodes the quality of education many students receive. Part-timers' inability or unwillingness to devote more time to students outside the classroom, the research suggests, results in the denial of…

A report released by the Coalition on the Academic Workforce based on a survey of departments in 10 social science and humanities fields shows that part-time and adjunct professors receive far less pay and fewer benefits than their peers. In many institutions, nontenure-track instructors make up almost half of the teaching staff. (SLD)

The trend toward hiring of part-time faculty, most evident at two-year colleges, angers many faculty groups. Critics contend the practice exploits part-time teachers to help colleges balance their budgets, erodes educational quality, and threatens tenure. These faculty are also most likely to be laid off during retrenchment. (MSE)

Faculty at nonprofit colleges and universities are concerned about the quality of faculty at the for-profit University of Phoenix, and about the personnel policies that support them. This institution's faculty lacks tenure, and most teach part time. Ninety percent are fully employed elsewhere. The fast-paced courses and regimented curriculum are…

In an effort to eliminate the part-time teaching track for all faculty except those who hold professional jobs outside academe, Georgia State University created 95 new full-time faculty positions and filled 62 of these positions with former part-time faculty. For the time being, however, all the positions are non-tenure-track "visiting"…

On campuses around the country, part-time and temporary instructors are pushing for power, and many see unions as the most likely way to get results. At issue are salaries, benefits, terms of appointment, etc. (MLW)

The University of Phoenix, once belittled as providing "McEducation" and branded a diploma mill, has garnered respect among higher education professionals. The school is attracting increasing numbers of adult students for its practical approach and 64 locations in 10 states and Puerto Rico, and is a financial success. The heavy use of…

At a time when some are critical of higher education's increasing reliance on part-time and adjunct faculty, many of those faculty do not seek tenure or full-time teaching positions. While they would like better pay and benefits, they prefer part-time work so they can pursue other jobs or interests and enjoy the teaching they do. (MSE)

The myriad duties in academic life make it especially difficult to keep stress under control. Some of the reasons academic careers are so stressful include: competition, low pay and poor working conditions, tight resources, lessened mobility, growth in part-time positions, and high self-expectations. (MLW)