Precarious careers are more and more common in academe. At Miami, rising enrollments and austere hiring policies have led to an extraordinary ballooning in the number of non-tenure-line faculty, especially VAPs, over the last ten years—a rise of 108%, according to data Miami reported to the federal government (180% if you count only faculty on one-year contracts). Given its solid financial condition, Miami could and should become a leader in reversing the trend toward unethical exploitation of academic workers.
To encourage better conditions, Miami’s precarious faculty need to have a voice. But because they are at higher risk than other faculty, they may feel uncomfortable raising their voices. Miami’s AAUP chapter would like to support contingent faculty, to learn about what issues are most important to them, and, on occasions when it would be useful and welcome to them, to advise and to share their concerns with the community and the administration.
The AAUP chapter has started an email discussion list in which contingent faculty can discuss issues relevant to them and share information. Miami VAPs, VIs, per-credit-hour faculty, and lecturers are all welcome to join.
VAPs on campus are also starting an AAUP Contingent Faculty Caucus, a discussion and advocacy group open to all ranks of contingent faculty.
These groups are autonomous, organized by and for their members. AAUP chapter leadership will not moderate, direct, or oversee them. Assistance and advice will be available if requested.
If you’re interested in participating in the email discussion list or the Contingent Caucus, visit the email discussion list page or write miamiaaup@gmail.com.
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