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 new adjuncts. Here is a template (downloadable version below):
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to Spring 2025. 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:
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January 17, 2025:
First day of Session A (full term) – Classes meet on a Monday Schedule
First day of Session B (first half term) – Classes meet on a Monday Schedule
January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (No classes)
March 7: Last day of Session B (first half term)
March 8 – 16: Spring Break (No classes)
March 17: First Day of Session C (second half term)
April 18 – 20: Easter Holiday (No classes)
May 5:
Last Day of Session A (full term) – Classes meet on a Friday Schedule
Last Day of Session C (second half term) – Classes meet on a Friday Schedule
Final Grades due: May 12, 2025 for full term and second half term. See Registrar’s website for further dates and details. Grades must be entered via Banner Self-Service on NEST.
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- 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: Contact ITDS (itds@montclair.edu) or schedule a consultation.
- Faculty development resources: The Office for Faculty Excellence provides year-round, confidential 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].
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: Thursday, January 16, 2025 11:54 am
CC