Here is a breakdown of the situation:

WHAT IS AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR

Adjunct faculty are contingent professionals who teach on college and university campuses. “Contingent Professionals” refers to a whole class of high-skilled workers who are engaged for their expertise. We bear the workload of full-time faculty but do not have the full-time contract or salary of full-time professors. Adjuncts, however, are equally qualified for their work. Students typically are not aware of who among their teachers are adjunct vs. full-time faculty unless they ask.

VIRGINIA’S RULE

In the Governor’s Manpower Control Program, the decision was made to reduce the number of hours adjunct faculty are allowed to teach. This rule cuts our hours and has resulted in 25% of adjunct faculty in the VCCS System having their income capped to less than $20,000 a year. This has also made it impossible for adjunct professionals to qualify for healthcare coverage as mandated by Obama's Affordable Healthcare Act now that their hours are less than 30 hours a week. This rule cuts our hours and has resulted in faculty losing their current healthcare they’ve been paying for out-of-pocket, as well as losing their homes, childcare, etc. due to inability to afford it.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
You can sign this petition. If you live in Virginia, you can write to your state representative and let them know that you stand for fair and just treatment for adjuncts. You can also remind them that the impact on students attending higher education in Virginia will be impacted by larger class sizes, limited class offerings and the absence of adjunct faculty that will no longer be able to afford working as as an adjunct professor.

Success in getting our voices heard and making change happen may set precedent for fairer and equitable treatment of adjunct faculty in Virginia.

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