Results are in from the AFAC survey requested by the Faculty Affairs Committee, on criteria for promotion to Adjunct III. NOTE: The response rate was so low that the survey is invalid as a vote by adjunct faculty on adjunct preferences.* The low response rate may reflect lack of enthusiasm for surveys, for surveys requested by non-adjunct faculty, or for exceptional promotions rather than broader-based improvements (pay raises). That said, here are the trends that did show up in responses:

Areas of consensus: 

On the questions:

Question 1. Overwhelming majority agree that candidates for Adjunct III must have the qualifications of an Adjunct II.

Question 3 (Option B). Strong majority agree that there should be no minimum time in grade after Adjunct II, for            promotion to Adjunct III.

Question 4. Solid majority agree on teaching record, as established by in-class observation and SCEQs, as a criterion.

Question 5. Solid majority agree that criteria for teaching should be consistent with those for candidates for promotion to the rank of Senior Lecturer at UMBC: “A Senior Lecturer is expected to demonstrate excellence in teaching and teaching leadership, which may include development of new curriculum, teaching innovations, scholarship, and/or creative works.”

On qualifications of current adjuncts:

A solid majority of responders DO have 1) memberships in academic or community organizations and records of service in same; 2) other community service and/or research; 3) evidence of professional development; 4) evidence of service to UMBC on campus or off; 5) awards, honors, or prizes; and 6) evidence of productivity in a job or profession off campus.

Note: for every category of professional qualification except one, responders indicated that they "Expect to have in the future." The one exception was the category "evidence of productivity in a job or profession off campus." (In other words, responders not already working elsewhere do not expect to engage in a profession other than college teaching, or do not expect to leave UMBC, or both.)

An overwhelming majority of responders do NOT have a record of elective office at any level, although two responders do.   

Areas of disagreement:

Question 2 (Option A). Wide-ranging disagreement over what time in grade should be required for Adjunct III.

Question 6. Wide disagreement on recognition for service.

Proposed UMBC guidelines for promotion to Adjunct III 

Background:

Adjunct faculty, as defined under Section 5.5.II of the UMBC Faculty Handbook, are initially appointed with the rank of Adjunct I and are eligible to apply for promotion to Adjunct II after three years of teaching at UMBC, in at least twelve 3-credit courses, establishing a consistent record of teaching excellence.

In addition to the designation of adjunct faculty as Adjunct Faculty I or Adjunct Faculty II, the Board of Regents’ Policy on the Employment of Adjunct Faculty in the USM allows each institution to establish a range of position titles for its faculty, consistent with BOR policy.

To implement the new rank of Adjunct III, the UMBC Faculty Senate through the Faculty Affairs Committee (Chair, Orianne Smith) has asked the AFAC to survey adjunct faculty on criteria for promotion. Guidelines from the provost’s office have established that criteria for eligible adjunct faculty will fall into the category of teaching; it is unclear whether criteria will also fall into the category of service. The AFAC is seeking input in each of these categories, as explained briefly below:

Important:

Please note that adjunct faculty are not necessarily recognized within their departments for research, independent projects, professional development, or off-campus service. We should find ways to recognize the many professional activities in which adjuncts engage.

            So in your response to this survey, please remind the AFAC and the Faculty Affairs Committee of professional activities, yours or others, which would support an adjunct’s promotion to Adjunct III. Unlike promotion to Adjunct II, which is coordinated through the department chairs, promotion to Adjunct III will be handled through the offices of the college deans. It is appropriate to view your professional and community activities through the prism of benefit to the entire school and to your community, especially in considering the category of service.