Miami Student

Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Front Page

Students in Microbiology 202 take notes while listening to their professors' lecture Monday afternoon. The loss of visiting faculty could affect the amount of sections offered for popular courses.

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.

Continued...

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