Date of Graduation
2000
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
This dissertation explores the trends in hiring part-time faculty in West Virginia colleges and universities. The restructuring paradigm places the utilization of part-time faculty within the context of changes in the culture of higher education. Questionnaires were sent to 163 administrators of West Virginia public and private 4-year institutions. Complete responses were received from 134 presidents, vice-presidents for academic affairs, provosts, deans, and in select circumstances, division chairs. There were no significant relationships between the administrator's attitude toward part-time faculty and the administrator's position, years in administration, or years teaching. Attitude toward part-time faculty as measured by the Part-time Faculty Scale was not significantly related to the utilization of part-time faculty. There is, however, a statistically significant regression coefficient for stated financial motivation for hiring part-time faculty and utilization of part-time faculty. The study concludes that utilization of part-time faculty is not based on traditional rationales that imply enhancement of education through use of part-time faculty. Instead, utilization is related to mandates and systemic imperatives to deliver educational opportunities at the lowest cost. Major attention needs to be given to the greater implications of eliminating full-time faculty positions. Quality costs to the full and part-time faculty, to students, to administrators, and to institutions need to be considered and addressed.
Recommended Citation
Weaver, Susan J., "The relationship between administrators' perceptions of part-time faculty and utilization of part-time faculty at West Virginia public and private colleges and universities." (2000). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 9991.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/9991