For some time (like, since we invented MSTAs), it’s bothered me that adjuncts get notices of MSTA openings when, in fact, there aren’t actual openings. I’d like to take a moment to explain three ways this can happen and tell you what I’d like to do about it.
First, the basics: MSTA openings happen when a previous holder leaves an MSTA vacant or when a department increases the number of available MSTAs. Many people don’t realize that departments are responsible for monitoring the number of MSTAs and making appropriate adjustments, but that’s actually specified in AR 4.06.002, “Staffing of Adjunct Faculty,” paragraph 2.1: “The number of MSTA appointments shall be determined by Department Chairs in consultation with their Deans based on the size of department, complexity of scheduling, and available courses.” Ideally, each department should review the number of MSTAs it offers regularly (based on data).
While we’re having this discussion, let me address a question that often comes up with I talk with adjunct faculty about MSTAs: Why aren’t there more? Actually, it’s not in the interest of adjunct faculty to have too many MSTAs. The major benefits of an MSTA are a maximum teaching load and a stable schedule, which we achieve through hiring priority. If there are too many MSTAs, they will begin to compete with each other for sections, which makes their schedules less stable, which defeats the point of having an MSTA in the first place.
As I said, an MSTA becomes available when a holder leaves one vacant or the department creates one. Theoretically, adjunct faculty should receive an automated notice of a vacant MSTA when there actually is a vacant MSTA, but there are at least three ways this can go awry.
First of all, many departments have multiple disciplines, and , if one of those disciplines has a vacant MSTA, the department has a vacancy. If you teach in a different discipline in that department, you will get a notice even though the MSTA isn’t for your discipline, because the notices are targeted to department faculty. In this case, there is a vacancy in your department, but it’s not for the discipline you teach.
Second, you may get a notice when there are no vacancies at all. Remember that MSTAs are initially one-year apopointments. New MSTAs are reviewed in the first and second year, and in the third year, MSTAs may be appointed as a three-year, rolling appointment. (See AR 4.06.002, para. 2.1.) Departments handle new MSTAs differently. For instance, in some departments, MSTAs in their first or second year must reapply each year to continue. To use eStaffing to reapply, departments must leave the MSTA vacancy status open (or else MSTAs can’t reapply), but only incumbent MSTAs in the first or second year may reapply. The problem is that this looks like a vacancy, even though there aren’t any: Someone already holds the MSTA and is merely reapplying to continue.
Finally, there’s human error. Departments have to ask a dean to reset the number of MSTAs and to turn on or off the “Accepting MSTA applications” switch. If someone in that pipeline forgets and the switch stays on, then notices go out automatically.
To me, getting a notice when there’s really not a vacancy is annoying. Knowing what’s going on in your department (like reason #1, above) can help, but I want to minimize the false positives. So, I have put this issue on the agenda of the next eStaffing Workgroup (of which I am a member), and I want to see what options there may be. I’m also reviewing department practices for incumbent MSTAs, and we may have an administrative solution other than leaving the “accepting applications” switch on.
The next eStaffing Workgroup is Tuesday, Feb 19. If you have ideas or suggestions — or if you want to ask a question about MSTA or eStaffing — comment and I’ll get back to you. When I have a better procedure ready, I’ll let you know.
