OPINION: The Honest Truth

I hate to be brutally honest, but this needs to be said.

Many department heads at faculty meetings often expound about the important role adjuncts play as faculty members. In reality, adjuncts are “fill-in” instructors meant to cover classes left in the course schedule or those that are labor intensive with heavy marking such as introductory composition courses. When new policies such as “We decided to go in a different direction” or budgetary constraints arise, adjunct instructors are first to go and suddenly are no long a part of the “family” in many departments as they are viewed as expendable.

As an adjunct at various college and university programs, I have fallen into this false impression and facade, sitting upright and listening intently at faculty meetings. Taking in every word from department heads and program coordinators to show enthusiasm and motivation toward my adjunct position. Do not be mislead in believing you are a part of the faculty or family when you are not. Unfortunately, some adjunct instructors, especially young ones, will have an eye out for a full-time tenure-track position and some are successful. The emphasis is on “young adjuncts” as they are most attractive in the eyes of department hiring committees.

Over my some 25 plus years as an adjunct, I have slowly stopped attending staff meetings as I find them not very beneficial as I can simply find out what happened in a mass departmental email. That is not to say I am derelict is any way with the courses I do teach, my students, and their learning outcomes. As an adjunct I know where we stand in the department, but remain professional and cordial in dealing with co-workers.

In reality, you are nothing but a cost efficient measure to the department head or program coordinator. Some faculty will take the time to get to know an adjunct, while others will not even acknowledge them, and in some cases view them with scorn. Adjunct are often viewed as second-rate instructors by many full-time and tenured faculty with the attitude of “If they were good instructors, they would be tenure-track!”

My advice to new adjunct instructors is to remain grounded with the knowledge that you are marginalized and a “quick fix” for many department heads to teach and cover classes. You have little job security or seniority. Do not get comfortable with some semblance of a steady course load each semester or too friendly with full-time instructors as they are not your friends. All of this can and does end suddenly, often when you least expect it. You need to look out for yourself.

That Adjunct Guy
September 15, 2026