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As the semester starts winding down and final exams loom around the corner, it is a stressful time of year for students and staff alike, and visiting faculty are feeling extra pressure as their positions may be cut for the 2009-10 academic year.
With the renewal of his contract up in the air, Joseph Bates, visiting assistant professor of English, said "this time of year can be a nail-biter."
Jamie Gillen, visiting assistant professor of geography, recently expressed similar concerns in a letter to the editor published in the March 17 issue of The Miami Student.
Gillen said he feels the university underestimates the unique value of its visiting faculty professors, who have a greater level of accountability because they are looking for permanent jobs.
"As visitors, we have an interest in responding to students' suggestions and feedback through course evaluations," Gillen said.
In his letter, Gillen referred to himself and the other visiting professors as being "new to academia."
"We are working very hard at research, and our writing is fresh," Gillen said. "We are up on recent literature and we provide a different set of skills."
While Gillen expressed respect for Miami's tenured faculty, he said they have been given greater flexibility as a reward for their hard work and the specialization they have developed over time.
Although Provost Jeffrey Herbst said the university places a high value in visiting professors, he emphasized Miami must base decisions on the current budget situation.
"(Visiting professors) have important expertise and they support our curriculum," Herbst said.
"Hiring decisions are made on a year-to-year basis based on curriculum and budget needs. We continue to utilize visiting faculty, but the core of our programs is returning faculty."
Bates said visiting professor contracts only last for one year and may or may not be renewed after the one-year period.
"I understood that my position was renewable depending on year-to-year department and budget needs," Bates said.
In his letter, Gillen said for the past few months, he has seen "writing on the wall," that many of the visiting faculty positions will not be filled next year due to budget cuts.
Gillen said the university sends visiting professors a letter every year to tell them their one-year contracted agreement is over. Year to year, some contracts are renewed, some positions are filled by other faculty and some positions are terminated.
Gillen said this year's letter was written differently. He said it included references to the poor economy and implied the positions are being terminated instead of being renewed or otherwise filled.
Bates said he felt this year's letter was more carefully worded to address the uncertainty of contract renewal.
"They are certainly very sensitive to the problem," Bates said, "but no one yet knows the outcome."
In addition to the letter, Gillen said he has seen other red flags.
"When my department chairperson says we want you to find a good job and you should probably look elsewhere, the picture is not looking good," Gillen said.
Both Gillen and Bates said their departments have been helpful and informative in what Bates referred to as a "stressful time."
Gillen, who is completing his second year as a visiting professor at Miami, said he is aware he is on a one-year contract.
While he said he understands there were no guarantees his contract would be renewed, Gillen said he feels the university's policy has changed greatly this year.
"No one has heard," Gillen said. "I know of many visitors in other departments who are in the same boat as I am."
Bates said while he does not know specifics, he believes his department will be going from eight visiting professors to four or five in the next year.
Gillen said he fears not only for his job but also for the future of the university.
"The language of the administration is that students will be minimally affected in the classroom, and I don't feel that's the case," Gillen said.
Herbst said the university's decision making process is in the interest of maintaining academic priorities.
"We are looking to protect the programs and curriculum as much as possible," Herbst said.
Gillen said he thinks students will notice fewer sections offered for introductory classes as well as less diversity in the selections of classes offered.
In his letter, Gillen said, "Students will be unprepared for the changes."
Gillen said those changes will affect students not only in the classroom, but also in advising and help outside the classroom.
