In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the imbalance of salaries between university administrators and adjunct faculty. According to a 2018 study by the American Association of University Professors, the median salary for full-time university administrators was $170,100, while the median salary for adjunct faculty was $2,700 per course.
>The median salary for a college president this year ranged from just over $200,000 at public community colleges to nearly $700,000 at private independent doctoral universities, AAUP found. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/04/10/aaup-study-finds-small-gains-faculty-salaries-offset-inflation
There are a number of factors that have contributed to this imbalance. One factor is the increasing corporatization of higher education. As universities have become more like businesses, they have adopted a top-down management structure that rewards administrators for their ability to raise revenue and cut costs. This has led to an increase in the number of high-paying administrative positions, while the number of adjunct faculty positions has increased at a much faster rate.
Another factor that has contributed to the imbalance is the decline in state funding for higher education. In recent years, state governments have cut funding for public universities, forcing them to raise tuition and fees. This has made it more difficult for universities to hire full-time faculty, and has led to an increase in the use of adjunct faculty.
Adjunct faculty are often paid very low wages, and they do not receive benefits such as health insurance or retirement plans. They are also often required to teach multiple courses at multiple universities, which can make it difficult to maintain a stable teaching schedule.
The imbalance of salaries between university administrators and adjunct faculty has a number of negative consequences. It can lead to a decline in the quality of education, as adjunct faculty are often less qualified than full-time faculty. It can also lead to a loss of morale among adjunct faculty, as they feel that they are not being valued by their institutions.
There are a number of things that can be done to address the imbalance of salaries between university administrators and adjunct faculty. One thing that universities can do is to increase the number of full-time faculty positions. They can also raise salaries for adjunct faculty, and provide them with benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. Finally, universities can work to improve the working conditions for adjunct faculty, by reducing the number of courses that they are required to teach and providing them with more support.
The imbalance of salaries between university administrators and adjunct faculty is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. By taking steps to increase the number of full-time faculty positions, raise salaries for adjunct faculty, and improve working conditions for adjunct faculty, universities can help to ensure that all faculty members are treated fairly and that the quality of education is not compromised.
Here are some additional details and anecdotes about the imbalance of university administration salaries vs adjunct faculty salaries:
- According to a 2019 study by the Chronicle of Higher Education, the average salary for a university president was $475,000, while the average salary for an adjunct faculty member was $3,200 per course.
- In 2018, the University of California system paid its president $2.2 million, while the average salary for an adjunct faculty member at the University of California was $2,500 per course.
- A 2017 study by the American Association of University Professors found that the number of adjunct faculty in the United States has increased by 75% since 2000.
- Adjunct faculty are often required to teach multiple courses at multiple universities, which can make it difficult to maintain a stable teaching schedule.
- Adjunct faculty are often less qualified than full-time faculty, as they are often hired on a temporary basis and do not have the same opportunities for professional development.
The imbalance of university administration salaries vs adjunct faculty salaries is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. By taking steps to increase the number of full-time faculty positions, raise salaries for adjunct faculty, and improve working conditions for adjunct faculty, universities can help to ensure that all faculty members are treated fairly and that the quality of education is not compromised.