Are you aware of the growing unrest among college professors? It seems that the educational landscape is shifting, and the instructors are feeling the pressure. Many believe that the teaching profession is changing for the worse, with non-tenured and part-time faculty facing serious challenges.
A significant number of these instructors, often referred to as "contingent faculty," are struggling to make ends meet. Reports indicate that about 25% of these part-time teachers rely on public assistance. Moreover, over two-thirds earn less than $50,000 a year. This situation has led to what some are calling a “precariat,” a group that now makes up more than 71% of college instructors in the U.S. Alarmingly, there are even stories of professors facing homelessness.
Take Boston University, for example. With a hefty endowment of $3.5 billion, the institution relies on adjunct or non-tenure track faculty for nearly 80% of its teaching staff. These instructors often lack job security, with their contracts uncertain from year to year. At Penn State, where half of the teaching is done by contingent faculty, starting salaries are as low as $35,000.
As colleges and universities face pressure to prepare students for lucrative careers, many instructors find themselves caught in a difficult position. They are tasked with guiding students toward financial success, even as they struggle with their own job security and income. This contradiction has led to a crisis within the academic community.
One professor, who chose to leave a tenured position during the Great Resignation, expressed frustration over the corporate influences that seem to dominate higher education. As they help students secure good jobs, their own positions appear less stable and less rewarding.
The political landscape also adds to the tension. Many faculty members are witnessing a shift in student attitudes, with some students leaning toward more conservative views. This has created a sense of disconnection between professors and the younger generation they teach.
With feelings of being undervalued and overworked, many professors are re-evaluating their roles in academia. They no longer see themselves as respected educators but rather as mere providers of content. This shift in perception has sparked a growing anger among faculty members, who feel exploited in a system that has changed dramatically over time.
As these issues unfold, it’s clear that the academic world is facing significant challenges. The once-respected profession of teaching is under threat, and the voices of those who dedicate their lives to education are starting to rise in protest.