The ASA Task Force on Contingent Faculty was appointed to address the changes in faculty employment and working conditions, career prospects for graduate students, and the consequences for higher education that have resulted from the increased reliance on contingent faculty. Contingent faculty, both part-time and full-time non-tenure track, have increased dramatically. By 2011 a majority of faculty were employed part-time. Contingent faculty are least common at Ph.D. granting institutions and most common at community colleges. At for-profit institutions of higher education there are virtually no tenure-system faculty, and part-time faculty constitute perhaps 90 percent of the total.
The Task Force has prepared an interim report, which can be found here. This interim report contains findings and recommendations to date. In addition, the Task Force is seeking member feedback.
Attendees at the ASA Annual Meeting in Montréal are encouraged to join members of the Task Force for a workshop session on Sunday, August 13, 12:30 to 2:10pm, Palais des congrès de Montréal, Level 5, 512D. The Task Force looks forward to hearing your input about how well the report reflects how contingency affects you and your colleagues, departments, and campuses.
