Non-Tenure-Track Faculty

Both the national AAUP and our local chapter are very concerned about the increase in non-tenure-track faculty positions.  A recent Board of Regents report provides statistics for the three regent institutions and includes the following:

• “The total number of non-tenure track faculty [at the three regent institutions] increased again this year [2008-09] for the ninth straight year; it is the highest number (3,823) during the past 20 years.”
• “During the past ten years, the average number of tenured faculty [at the three regent institutions] is 2,766 with a low of 2,728 (2004-05 & 2006-07) and a high of 2,878 (1999-00).”
• At the University of Iowa, from 2007-08 to 2008-09, the number of tenured and tenure-track faculty increased by only 15 (0.9%) while the number of non-tenure-track faculty increased by 77 (7.5%).
• “The majority of non-tenure-track faculty are employed on a part-time basis.”