Sociologists' Recommendations on Contingent Faculty

The American Sociological Association in a new report urges institutions to commit to “maximum feasible equity for contingent faculty.” Specific recommendations to that end include that “pay should be proportional to work done” and job offers be provided well in advance of starting dates. Contingent faculty members should be provided as much short- and long-term job security as possible, the association says, and all instructors should be eligible for and included in academic awards, professional development support, intellectual and social events, and institutional governance. Academic freedom “should be protected for all, irrespective of employment status,” the report reads.