Nazareth College says 1 in 3 of its teachers are adjuncts, and on Thursday, the demand for higher wages by many of them was discussed in a news conference called by those faculty members and their union.
Colleen Wolf teaches french horn at Nazareth College. She’s one of the adjuncts who protested low salaries and short term appointments with SEIU Local 200.
Wolf said the school commits to adjuncts on a semester by semester basis.
“This is not good for our students,” said Wolf. “This doesn’t serve our students. And ultimately being in higher education service to our students is the ultimate goal.”
Wolf is a single mom and says it takes four teaching jobs to support herself and her two children including many nights and weekend lessons. She says she does it to guarantee that the money keeps coming in, and because she’s always worried that she’ll lose her position. Wolf says a bit more security would make all the difference for her and her children..
“My ideal scenario would be of course full time but I think that’s a long way off. I don’t believe the college is prepared to take those steps,” said Wolf. “Right now I feel like I have to go go go just to do it all.
Wolf said that there 17 full time music teaching positions at Nazareth and about 50 adjuncts. And she says 17 is an improvement.
Alexis Hicks is a junior at Nazareth college. She’s part of a group of students showing support for the adjuncts.
“I was shocked to learn that over the last two decades, that the majority of their faculty have actually seen their take home pay decrease because their wage increases have failed to keep up with inflation,” said Hicks.
This statement was provided by Nazareth College:
Nazareth agrees that part-time faculty compensation should increase and we are confident that the College’s compensation and continued employment proposals are meaningful. At the same time, of course, Nazareth must be a responsible steward of our students’ tuition dollars.
Nazareth remains committed to continuing to bargain in good faith with SEIU Local200United, is hopeful regarding the process, and looks forward to continuing its productive discussions with SEIU Local200United at the bargaining table.
