codecalla

One of the frustrating aspects of being an adjunct faculty member is that your contract every season is not guaranteed, so you are never certain if you will make enough to pay for life’s necessities or random splurges.  It’s not unlike the uncertainty becoming a full time author.  At this point, the IRS decided to warn universities and colleges that they had to count an adjunct faculty’s work hours as more than face to face contact hours.  I get paid for credit hours, and under the new approach, designed to allow part time employees benefits, colleges and universities will have the response of cutting adjunct faculty hours to fit under the new requirement so they don’t have to provide benefits.  After all, adjunct faculty members are designed to help facilitate the cost of students’ education.  The cheaper rates make it possible for other more expensive classes and college features.  We subsidize education.

Due to the new effects of the current laws, the hours will be diminished at each institution, and any adjunct who is trying to make a living, will most likely have to find additional employment or another job entirely.  Perhaps the IRS was trying to prevent adjuncts from being overworked without due consideration for their efforts, however, the additional effect is that adjuncts will have to work even harder to make a living…or treat their classes as a luxury of work, only working because they want to, not because they have to make enough to pay for their living.  I’m not sure how I feel knowing that after working for more than five years, instead of making more money, I’ll be making less with even less of a secure future.

There are always unintentional effects of laws, and this is one of them.  Perhaps it could have been foreseen as a consequence, but often people who ascribe benefits as necessary and not luxury, have not had to make hard choices for their livelihoods.

Hard choices.  I currently work at two fine establishments and I understand why they must cut hours, even as I deplore it.  I can’t imagine adding another school to my current schedule, but perhaps I shall.  Or, possibly take advantage of freelance writing opportunities.  This is a great time to devote more effort to the fiction writing as well.  I’ll make it work somehow.  I have many options, unlike some who are cast about by their fates.  I’m grateful for the advance notice so I can make it work.  Now back to writing, teaching, and playing video games.  Because we all need support.