Washtenaw: WCC

Writing on Inside Higher Ed, Scott Jaschik reports on Washtenaw Community College’s plans to reclassify the status of adjuncts faculty from state employees to temp employees. The article notes that Larry Whitworth, WCC’s president, said the change would allow the college to save a significant amount in pension payments, because the college is required to contribute only to state employees’ pensions. At the same time the college will increase part-time pay by 3%. Jaschik notes that an editorial in AnnArbor.com lauded the choice, but he quotes Maria Maisto – president of a national adjunct group – who criticized the college: “What kind of message does it send to students to be told ‘your professor is a temp’?” [Source]