Examining Non-Tenure Track Faculty Perceptions of How Departmental Policies and Practices Shape Their Performance and Ability to Create Student Learning at Four-Year Institutions

Abstract

This study examines a major shift in the professoriate from tenure track to a non-tenure track faculty (NTTF), with two-thirds of the faculty now being off the tenure track. While some studies suggest negative outcomes as a result of students taking courses with NTTF, none of the studies examine the working conditions of the NTTFs. This qualitative case study fills that gap in our understanding through interviews with 107 faculty within 25 departments in 3 four year campuses examines and compares NTTF in departments that have supportive policies in place versus those that do not. The results presented in the findings clearly demonstrate that NTTF perceive that departmental policies shape their performance and ability to create quality learning experiences. Unsupportive policies impact preparation, advising possibilities, create poor curricular designs, result in missing key materials, among many other negative results. Findings identify a set of policies that negatively and positively shape performance and that can be the focus of changes among leaders on college campuses.