Online Training

New Programming!

Gain in-depth knowledge and prepare for the fall semester with hands-on, intensive workshops for department chairs:

Program Assessment and Curriculum Review
June 14, 2012
12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT

The Highly Effective Department Chair
June 21, 2012
12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT

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BOOKS

FERPA Clear and Simple: The College Professional’s Guide to Compliance

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance has always been challenging due to complex regulatory language and exposure to risk. However, institutions that do not comply are in jeopardy of losing federal funding. Accessible and user-friendly, FERPA Clear and Simple clarifies the regulations and provides a ready reference for compliance and problem solving. This need-to-have guide offers critical and relevant material (including the 2008 Amendments) from a new perspective to help staff in student affairs, academic departments, and administrative support positions understand and comply with FERPA guidelines.

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JOURNAL

This quarterly periodical for department chairs and deans features practical advice, useful information, and up-to-date resources. Its applications, techniques, case studies, strategies, and guidance are directly relevant to today's academic leaders.

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E-NEWSLETTER

ASK THE EXPERTS

7/1/2011 12:00 AM

Engaging Adjunct Faculty

From The Department Chair Insider, August 2010 – Vol. 1

Q. How can chairs meaningfully engage their adjunct faculty?

A. As institutions of higher education are facing budget cuts, more adjunct faculty are being hired to replace full-time faculty. The percentage of adjuncts differs by type of institution, but as the number of adjuncts approaches half or more of the faculty a new perspective is needed on how to engage and involve adjuncts. Adjuncts are being hired for longer terms, and the orientation, involvement, and engagement of these faculty must be different from the model used for short-term hires. In these situations the department needs to expend considerable energy, time, effort, and resources to ensure that adjuncts are woven into the fabric of the department. The orientation program is important, but that program can be extended over a longer period and be much more comprehensive. More importantly, efforts and strategies must be employed to engage these individuals in a meaningful way in the ongoing activities of the department. This means involving them in the total activities of the department, including curriculum decisions, faculty meetings, student advising, and other departmental activities. Significant changes may be required in terms of schedules for department meetings, providing office space, and making them feel they are members of the family or academic community. A culture needs to be created where adjuncts feel they have ownership in the department. One of the major issues that needs to be clarified is related to governance and decision making—will adjuncts have voting or discussion privileges and on which topics? It is up to the chair and the full-time faculty to create such a culture.

—Alan T. Seagren is professor emeritus and director of the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.