Columbia College's recent part-time adjunct faculty strike highlights the importance of adjunct faculty in education. The cause of the strike includes factors like increasing class sizes while getting rid of other courses that the educators believe compromise the quality of education offered, as noted by the NBC Chicago report.
Union President Diana Vallera revealed in a NBC Chicago article that 350 part-time faculty courses were axed, leading 600 adjunct faculty members to walk out. They argue that class size increases threaten both job security and a high-standard education environment.
Despite the college's position that the changes ensure full-time faculty teach most classes, the adjuncts argue the crux of the matter, remains education quality. A report by CBS News indicated the union's belief is that tuition costs are increasing while education standards are decreasing.
Furthermore, adjunct faculty members' lack of benefits, such as healthcare and job security, contribute to their marginalization, raising concerns about their ability to adequately meet the students' needs.
Another CBS News article mentions that part-time faculty were not informed of these changes, reinforcing concerns about institutional transparency and communication, and disregard for the adjunct faculty's welfare.
As reported by NBC Chicago, students are also standing in solidarity with the adjunct faculty, expressing fears about how larger class sizes could impact their learning. Student Alivia King was quoted, "I took seven classes and I can only attend one of them. Because everyone is striking. As they should, honestly.”
