Adjunct as Donors, a series

Intrepid readers, here's a treat for you: a 3-part guest post series on, as noted in the title, "Adjuncts as Donors." No, not organ donors (just couldn't resist the graphic ~ besides, doesn't it seem like the system takes everything and still wants more?). At least there is paying black market in that, something you can't say about all the uncompensated time adjunct donate. We're not even getting a tax break. 

Commentary by Chessie Green,  2.18.13  
Insecure, Insulted and Ignored: No Way to Treat a Donor – Part I  

In just the past few weeks, major gifts by individuals to prominent universities have made headlines.  We have Duke, Columbia, University of California, NYU, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and more.  That led me to think about donors to universities, and in thinking about donors, I remembered the administrator who said that adjuncts aren’t teaching for the money but because “the best adjuncts want to give back.”

Let’s say, for the moment, that the point is legitimate, and we view the adjunct as a willing and generous donor who gives the students and the university a gift.  Place a value on it: let’s say a couple of hundred thousand dollars’ worth of expertise, time, commitment to educational excellence - and for the students, a priceless amount of caring and attention. 

In return, the university gives them a tip and treats them without respect and as completely dispensable. 

 Here are some examples from my experience.
 If an adjunct spoke out about a late payment, or some help that had been promised but not delivered, the university closed ranks.  The attitude seemed to be to let them sink or swim because “it’s a privilege” to teach for the university and because “the best adjuncts want to give back.”