Long-awaited raises ahead for Chatt State part-timers

Kim McCormick
Kim McCormick
photo Kim McCormick

The pay rate for Chattanooga State adjunct instructors hasn't changed since Kim McCormick first joined the college as a part-time instructor 20 years ago.

"And that is simply unacceptable," said McCormick, now the provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The low pay rates for adjuncts -- now between $310 and $490 per credit hour -- are poised for a dramatic increase under a proposal from Interim President Fannie Hewlett. In her 2015-16 budget, Hewlett plans raises ranging from 25 to 40 percent for part-time instructors, or $400 to $700 per credit hour. The budget proposal would have to be approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

The college plans to pay for the raises with an expected $938,000 in extra state funding and by cutting back on renovation projects next year, said Tammy Swenson, executive vice president for business and finance. Funding will also be freed up as the college ditches some priorities of former President Jim Catanzaro, who retired in December amid an outcry over his hiring practices. The college has dissolved the innovations department formerly headed by Lisa Haynes, restructured the continuing education department and reduced the presidential travel budget -- which under Catanzaro was the highest of comparable community colleges in Tennessee.

"The strategies we will fund in our new budget reflect our focus on faculty and staff support, student achievement and the removal of barriers to success," Hewlett said in a prepared statement.

Chattanooga State has nearly 400 adjunct instructors who supplement its 238 full-time instructors, a figure that includes teachers at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology.

John Bible, who teaches engineering courses part-time, said instructors don't teach for the money.

"Money is not a motivator," he said. "But the lack of money is a demotivator."

Bible has been a Chattanooga State adjunct for 20 years and said he would have returned to teach next year without the raise. Still, it's welcome news.

"It's a significant pay raise," Bible said. "And sure, it's going to put a little giddy-up in my step. There's no doubt about that. But I still won't be doing this for the money."

Adjuncts now are paid on a scale based on both degree level and years of experience at the college.

The new model will be more flexible, allowing additional compensation for other professional accomplishments.

"This model allows deans to show that we truly value and appreciate our adjuncts," Robert Denn, dean of honors and academic support services, said in a statement.

In addition to the much-anticipated raises for adjunct faculty, the college plans to add nine new full-time faculty positions and several student support positions in anticipation of enrollment growth from Tennessee Promise, Gov. Bill Haslam's plan to provide two years of college free for eligible Tennessee high school graduates.

The college also plans to invest more in professional development and end its $10-a-year parking fee for faculty and staff. And a collegewide equity study is under way that officials say may result in pay increases for faculty and staff in the next fiscal year.

Paul Dean, who teaches world civilization and other history courses at Chattanooga State in his spare time, said the college has been supportive of adjuncts since he started there 14 years ago.

In his day job, he teaches JROTC courses at Ooltewah High School.

"I'm just happy they're thinking about us," he said. "But it fits the paradigm. They've always treated us well."

Contact staff writer Kevin Hardy at khardy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.

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