Adjuncting and Independent Studies/Rejection letters
Hi everyone,
I have two separate questions here, and hope that is OK.
One is regarding one of my adjunct positions. I just started teaching at a local college in Fall 2011, and one of my students from last semester asked if I would work with her on an independent study this spring, i.e. now. I agreed, thinking it was nice that I made such a positive impression on the student and also that it would be a bit of extra income - I know not as much as a full class, but something.
I asked around to the department secretary to find out if I could even accept the IS as an adjunct, as well as how much it would pay. I did get approval for the IS, but never a straight answer about the pay rate. Nothing extra has shown up beyond the one course I am teaching on my paycheck stub, so I emailed the chair of the department this past week to further inquire. He replied saying that it was his impression that IS is just something that everyone accepts doing as part of their service once in a while, and that he doesn't think that there is pay involved, but that he'd double check. I could accept that MAYBE for a full-time faculty who is getting decent pay and benefits that would be OK, but for an adjunct you'd think that they could at least throw you a few hundred for your trouble, right?
Am I totally off base in this thinking? Honestly, I'd probably do it anyway because I've got a great student and it doesn't take too much time to work with her, but on principle this pisses me off! Adjuncts get crap pay and nothing else to begin with!
What has your experience been? Is this standard practice?
***
My second question involves job applications. I just received my first rejection letter (it was nice, though!) and have about 20 other places to hear from. Is there any guideline about when you'd hear from a school who's interested in you? For instance, the longer it takes to hear from a committee is better, or if they want to interview you, they'd tell you right away? Or is there no rhyme or reason? I have one school that I am really interested in, but the app deadline was back in mid-November and I have yet to hear a peep from them beyond the "we received your application" email. At this point I am giving up hope for that school; does that seem like logical thinking?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
I have two separate questions here, and hope that is OK.
One is regarding one of my adjunct positions. I just started teaching at a local college in Fall 2011, and one of my students from last semester asked if I would work with her on an independent study this spring, i.e. now. I agreed, thinking it was nice that I made such a positive impression on the student and also that it would be a bit of extra income - I know not as much as a full class, but something.
I asked around to the department secretary to find out if I could even accept the IS as an adjunct, as well as how much it would pay. I did get approval for the IS, but never a straight answer about the pay rate. Nothing extra has shown up beyond the one course I am teaching on my paycheck stub, so I emailed the chair of the department this past week to further inquire. He replied saying that it was his impression that IS is just something that everyone accepts doing as part of their service once in a while, and that he doesn't think that there is pay involved, but that he'd double check. I could accept that MAYBE for a full-time faculty who is getting decent pay and benefits that would be OK, but for an adjunct you'd think that they could at least throw you a few hundred for your trouble, right?
Am I totally off base in this thinking? Honestly, I'd probably do it anyway because I've got a great student and it doesn't take too much time to work with her, but on principle this pisses me off! Adjuncts get crap pay and nothing else to begin with!
What has your experience been? Is this standard practice?
***
My second question involves job applications. I just received my first rejection letter (it was nice, though!) and have about 20 other places to hear from. Is there any guideline about when you'd hear from a school who's interested in you? For instance, the longer it takes to hear from a committee is better, or if they want to interview you, they'd tell you right away? Or is there no rhyme or reason? I have one school that I am really interested in, but the app deadline was back in mid-November and I have yet to hear a peep from them beyond the "we received your application" email. At this point I am giving up hope for that school; does that seem like logical thinking?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!