I’m an adjunct faculty member at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester. Because there are so many adjuncts, I am a member of one of the majority populations on our campus. As such, I enjoy the following benefits:
- Free Parking
While I enjoy my benefit of free parking, it is
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- I enjoy working with the curious, creative, and dedicated UNH students
- I appreciate watching as my students grasp what I am sharing with them
- I treasure the many opportunities to celebrate the successes of my students
But I am exhausted by years of neglect from a system that does not value my service. Therefore, in addition to the free parking--or in exchange for that golden ticket--I would like to see:
- Equal pay for my work, acknowledging my experience, education, and dedication to the same degree as my tenured associates
- Health benefits
- Education benefits
- Retirement benefits
- Multi-semester contracts
- An office, even if shared, with privacy and storage space
- A way to easily communicate with my adjunct colleagues
I know it’s a shock that I would give up my free parking for all of the benefits that usually accompany a profession, but that’s the sacrifice I’m willing to make.
