When departments support adjunct faculty and help them more quickly become acclimated to our University, student success will also grow.
Catherine Keohane, Associate Director of the Office for Faculty Excellence, and Ellie Esposito, Assistant Dean of the Feliciano School of Business, created the Adjunct Faculty Guide for Department Chairs (updated for 2024). In their collaboration and through a survey of adjunct faculty, they have identified the information that adjunct faculty most frequently request.
It would be helpful if each department had their own guide. If you don’t have one already, please feel free to use ours as a first draft to create your own (opens as a Google doc).
This resource is part of OFE’s 360 Degree Support for Adjuncts initiative which seeks to connect adjuncts with the information and support they need, helping them to feel like the essential members of the Montclair State University community that they are.
Welcome Email
Chairs should include the following highlighting key pieces of information in their welcome email to in. Here is a template (downloadable version below):
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to Fall 2024! We are excited that you will be teaching for us this semester.
Whether you are new to our department or a veteran, here are some key pieces of information for the semester:
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- Important departmental contacts: [Add chair contact information along with that of other department contacts by roles or responsibilities]
- Academic calendar highlights:
Sept 3 (Tuesday): Opening Day (no classes; meetings and president’s address)
Sept 4: First day of classes (15 week term)
Nov 27 – Dec 1: Thanksgiving break (no classes) — note no class on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving
December 20: Last day of classes, 15 week term
Final Grades due: TBD, but final grades are generally due within five (5) business days of the final class meeting. - Office space is available for adjuncts in [____________] ; contact [___________]_ for access information.
- Printing and copying: [add your department’s information/policy here]
- Office supplies: [indicate whether and where these are available to adjuncts]
- Loaner laptops: Information for faculty and staff; information for students.
- Classroom technology support: Problems with classroom technology? Call 973-655-7971, and choose option 4, Audio-Visual Classroom Emergencies.
- Canvas and instructional technology support/Canvas support: Reach out to ITDS (itds@montclair.edu) or schedule a consultation.
- Faculty development resources: The Office for Faculty Excellence provides year-round faculty development support, including workshops, consultations, and syllabus and assignment feedback.
- Visit OFE’s Practical Details for Instructors and Adjunct Essentials for other key links.
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Department meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at ________________. Adjuncts are welcome but not required to attend. [Add information about meetings, if relevant]
If you have questions, please reach out to me [or appropriate contact person(s) in the department].
You may download a copy of the template here.
Last Modified: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 4:03 pm
CK