PAYCHECK WOES
Reimplimented check schedule sparks debate
Brennan Stebbins
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: News
That explanation isn't easing concerns for Horner, who said she may be forced to consider finding employment elsewhere. She also teaches English part-time at Pittsburg State University.
"If this change goes into effect, PSU will be a better place to work," Horner said. "They pay us twice a month over there, and they pay us more.
"I can't speak for anyone else," she added. "I will have to consider it. I cannot wait seven weeks before I get paid."
Kyle Tucker, another adjunct in the English department, echoed the frustrated sentiment.
"I'll put it this way," Tucker said. "I can see how this would make people, A., want to pursue teaching jobs at other schools, and B., want to bring in a labor union that would work in support of part-time college staff.
"These are the kinds of issues that make people want to bring in a labor union," he added.
Messick was surprised at the uproar the change has elicited.
"My understanding of the initial concern several years ago was that it happened without advance warning," he said. "I visited with the deans last spring and I am surprised that over the past several months I hadn't heard any concern expressed about returning to this four-pay contract system."
He said he's always willing to visit with part-time employees about their concerns.
"If we could work out some sort of compromise I would be happy to do so, but the major issue is we just don't know in some cases whether or not a class taught by a part-time instructor or in some cases an overload contract is going to make that far in advance of the beginning of the semester."
Asked about possibly alienating part-time employees, Messick said they are all valued and he would like to see them receive more compensation in the future. The University currently pays adjunct faculty $1,800 per semester per course.
"We value our part-time instructors," he said. "I think if you look at the pay schedule for part-time employment, we're not as high as some institutions; we're above some others. I would hate to lose our part time instructors.
"We depend on them very heavily, and I'd like to see us increase our pay rate for part-time instruction, we just can't do that now because of our budget situation. In my opinion that's going to have a high priority down the road."
In the meantime, Horner is trying to raise awareness by contacting adjuncts in other departments.
"Another thing Messick told me was that his understanding from the deans was nobody else cared if they didn't get paid until the end of February," Horner said. "I told him that I would find some people who cared."
"If this change goes into effect, PSU will be a better place to work," Horner said. "They pay us twice a month over there, and they pay us more.
"I can't speak for anyone else," she added. "I will have to consider it. I cannot wait seven weeks before I get paid."
Kyle Tucker, another adjunct in the English department, echoed the frustrated sentiment.
"I'll put it this way," Tucker said. "I can see how this would make people, A., want to pursue teaching jobs at other schools, and B., want to bring in a labor union that would work in support of part-time college staff.
"These are the kinds of issues that make people want to bring in a labor union," he added.
Messick was surprised at the uproar the change has elicited.
"My understanding of the initial concern several years ago was that it happened without advance warning," he said. "I visited with the deans last spring and I am surprised that over the past several months I hadn't heard any concern expressed about returning to this four-pay contract system."
He said he's always willing to visit with part-time employees about their concerns.
"If we could work out some sort of compromise I would be happy to do so, but the major issue is we just don't know in some cases whether or not a class taught by a part-time instructor or in some cases an overload contract is going to make that far in advance of the beginning of the semester."
Asked about possibly alienating part-time employees, Messick said they are all valued and he would like to see them receive more compensation in the future. The University currently pays adjunct faculty $1,800 per semester per course.
"We value our part-time instructors," he said. "I think if you look at the pay schedule for part-time employment, we're not as high as some institutions; we're above some others. I would hate to lose our part time instructors.
"We depend on them very heavily, and I'd like to see us increase our pay rate for part-time instruction, we just can't do that now because of our budget situation. In my opinion that's going to have a high priority down the road."
In the meantime, Horner is trying to raise awareness by contacting adjuncts in other departments.
"Another thing Messick told me was that his understanding from the deans was nobody else cared if they didn't get paid until the end of February," Horner said. "I told him that I would find some people who cared."
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