The Cause or the Symptom?

Recently, studies have been released that indicate the possibility of contract staff eroding the quality of education for students. According to the studies, part-time staff fail to provide important student services outside the classroom, even to those who need them most.

But who's to blame? One of the study's authors is careful to note: “We are not treating these faculties in a way that they are feeling valued.” The implication, of course, is that faculty cannot provide support to students if they are not themselves receiving support. After all, part-time staff are notoriously overworked and underpaid -- a point stressed last week, as Fair Employment Week was recognized here on campus.

In the end, quality teaching is not simply in the realm of professors. Any erosion of this quality is a greater institutional problem, and oversimplification of the matter does not benefit anyone.