Most colleges and universities rely on adjunct (part-time) faculty members to teach their students and not for the benefit of the adjunct members, full-time professors, or even the students. Rather, the schools do it for their own benefit – cost-savings and avoiding legal obligations. Well-deserved press attention is finally covering this subject. The Baltimore Sun recently wrote that colleges and universities are even cutting the hours of the adjunct faculty so that they do not have to provide insurance. The New York Times recently profiled the struggles of a adjunct faculty member trying to make ends meet. There American Association of University Professors is trying to help the plight of adjunct faculty by assisting in organizing unions. There have been successes, such as in New Hampshire. In addition to organizing, adjunct faculty members can engage in “protected and concerted activity” to seek better working conditions. In addition, adjunct faculty members have the statutory right not to be subjected to unlawful discrimination and retaliation, as well as to be paid wages in compliance in state and federal wage-hour laws. Lebau & Neuworth attorneys welcome any inquiries for assistance by faculty members.
