Our department has been told we’re taking on a new adjunct hire, but not because of their research or qualifications. They’re here because their family has deep pockets and strong political connections. During the interview, they were asked why they chose our university, and their answer was, “I need to be in the States to finish my book.”
No one in the department is on board with this—not the chair or the faculty who have already met this person. Has this ever happened at your university?
So they think this job is just a fun little hobby? Fine, give them the worst classes. The gen-ed courses students hate. No syllabus, no teaching materials, let them figure it out themselves.
They’ll quit by next semester.
@Zen
8pm-10pm General Biology 1 labs… on a Friday.
@Zen
The problem is you’ll get bombarded with student complaints—and they’ll probably be valid ones too.
Arun said:
@Zen
The problem is you’ll get bombarded with student complaints—and they’ll probably be valid ones too.
Forward every single one straight to admin. Or better yet, tell the students to email admin directly.
@Zen
This won’t work if they’re here because of their connections. I’ve seen a similar situation, and suddenly all the rules were different for that one person.
@Zen
The students will just suffer. I’d put them in an elective no one wants to take, schedule it for 8am, and let it be. With any luck, they’ll stay invisible and stop bothering everyone.
@Zen
This is exactly what you do. Throw them into the classes with the highest failure rates, like gen-ed math or science. They won’t last.
Our chancellor brought in three associate professors because he knew them personally and said they were ‘good people.’ Turns out they’re awful teachers, terrible researchers, and have no place in our department.
Four years later, they’re still here, despite constant complaints and bad reviews. Every time we try to not renew their contracts, the chancellor blocks it.
Honestly, be grateful this is just an adjunct. It could be way worse.
If this person comes with connections, then your department should at least get a slice of whatever funding or benefits they’re tied to.
Arden said:
If this person comes with connections, then your department should at least get a slice of whatever funding or benefits they’re tied to.
Exactly. Play this to your advantage instead of fighting a losing battle. This hire isn’t going anywhere.
We had a similar case. The president’s partner got a job despite zero experience. They taught a quarter of the usual workload and spent the rest of the time ‘working on their book.’ Spoiler: the book never happened.
There’s also an activist in residence here who has done nothing for ten years except complain and get paid. No research, no teaching, nothing.
And don’t get me started on trailing spouses who get research roles for no reason other than who they’re married to.
But sure… let’s keep cutting the budget.
@Willow
Good luck convincing some parts of campus that this is an issue. To them, activism counts as a job, even if there’s no real contribution.
If they’re just an adjunct, how much interaction will they even have with the rest of you?
Quinn said:
If they’re just an adjunct, how much interaction will they even have with the rest of you?
Right? Since when is an adjunct position such a big deal that you have to ‘make room’ for someone?
@Tamsin
Worst case, they get an office and teach a couple of required classes. Not the end of the world.
Sort of. I’ve seen it happen. It’s frustrating, but it could be worse—like a tenure-track hire that’s forced on you.
We had a dean whose spouse needed a job, so she was immediately placed in a tenured role despite not being qualified. Then she sat on the tenure committee and ripped apart my application. I got lucky because a big grant I wrote was announced at the same time, but still.
Both of them were terrible people and a nightmare to work with.
At my school, someone’s friend tried to get a role as an ‘artist in residence.’ They wanted free studio space and access to resources but didn’t have a solid portfolio or resume.
It almost happened until someone in admin finally said no.
Honestly, this kind of thing happens more often than people realize.