Oakton Community College representatives made a presentation, "the Business of Teaching", to the Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago, Inc. at the general meeting held April 22, 2004 in main meeting room of the First Presbyterian Church, 1427 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois.

D. Arne Oudenhoven, Director, Human Resources and MaryAnn Janosik, Ph.D., Dean, Social Resources and Business, Oakton Community College made the presentation.

These notes follow the presentation of the remarks of Dr. Janosik, supplemented by those of Mr. Oudenhoven, to the general membership of Executive Network Group of Greater Chicago, Inc. (ENG) concerning teaching possibilities as adjunct, or non-tenured, part-time persons. Also presented were points as to tenure track and tenured faculty at Oakton Community College (OCC). Dr. Janosik closely followed the PowerPoint outline "Frequently Asked Questions about Community College Teaching (FAQ's)" created for the purpose, which you should have. Five of the nine slides used the Socratic method, open question format, permitting Dr. Janosik to phrase a response. Four slides at the end set forth the MBA or other degree requirements, and relevant work experience, for adjunct positions thought most likely to be of interest to the audience.
The audience was encouraged to ask questions, which occasionally caused her to vary from the presentation outline.

"Frequently Asked Questions about Community College Teaching (FAQ's)"

Slide One
What does "networking," mean in higher education? Response: (unclear: an audience member asked me a question requiring an immediate answer).
Do I need a teaching certificate to teach at a community college? Response: No.
Do I need a doctorate to teach? Response: No.
What is the average salary at a community college? Response: "It depends". The average adjunct receives $1800 for a three-credit course, which may be three hours teaching each week for 15 to 16 weeks. This course period varies: there are some courses as short as 8 weeks. For long serving instructors, and apparently for some courses, the salary may be $3000.
How much money do adjuncts and part-time faculty make? Response: An adjunct may teach more than one course, if requested to do so by the Department Chairman, and up to three courses, but not more. The salary for a full time, tenure track person is $50,000 for an academic year of two semesters, requiring 168 calendar days.

Slide Two
What is the tenure process? Response: Tenure, which is not available directly to adjuncts, is the decision to grant secure, long-term employment to a person hired on tenure track by OCC, based on determinations by the academic staff that the person meets applicable standards.
Are adjuncts and part-time faculty eligible for tenure? Response: Not directly when hired as adjuncts. Persons serving as adjuncts can ask for appointment for tenure track positions, and a substantial number of adjuncts have become tenured at OCC through this process. Departmental chairs are encouraged to look at adjuncts for possible placement on tenure track.
As an important note, about half of all tenured OCC faculty started their careers in non-tenure positions, and those teachers were later brought into the tenure track, and received tenure. About 60% of all classes are taught by tenure track persons, and 40% by adjuncts. Perhaps students may be equally taught by tenure and non-tenure track persons at OCC. There are currently 150 full time, tenure or tenure track persons, and 500 adjuncts at OCC.
How are faculty evaluated? Response: The Department Chairperson is responsible for hiring adjuncts, and decides whether to continue the adjuncts for additional periods. It was not clear how the decision was made to continue an adjunct after a semester closed.
For tenure track persons, the review process is continued over three years, with peer review by department members and one or more deans observing teaching, interacting with students, reviewing student comments on teachers and the like. In February of the third year a person is informed if that person is eligible for another tenure track appointment.
What is the reporting hierarchy/organizational chart (professors, associate professors, assistant professors, instructors, and lecturers)? Response: Most tenure track persons are hired as full time persons, as associate professors and assistant professors. Adjuncts are styled as instructors or lecturers. Professors have tenure.

Slide Three
Who is the typical community college student? Response: There are no typical students. Most are over 25, and most have AB or BS degrees. Most students want a certificate for a job or similar requirement. Many are foreigners. OCC looks for teachers comfortable with students using English as a second language.
How big is a typical class? What is a typical day in the day/month/semester/year of faculty at OCC? Response: Typical class is 35. Science classes are limited by laboratory size, so science classes usually have 20 positions. Business classes, international trade and marketing usually have 15-20 students. Typical day is oriented to morning classes; few are held in the afternoon. A significant number are in the evening, as evening hours are best for faculty. Tenure track teachers carry 15 hours per week; adjuncts are capped at 11 hours per week, or three courses per semester. Tenure track teachers must be available for 4-6 hours in the office each week for student access. There are some Internet classes and some TV classes. Students may access teachers by email, or by cell phone; telephone calls are to be returned in 24 hours.
How do I apply for a community college position? Response: OCC posts adjunct positions in newspapers. Candidates respond with letters, attaching resumes, transcripts and letters of recommendation. Department chairperson reviews these materials, the search committee studies the evaluation and the decision is made. Full time positions are subject to Internet application. Those meeting criteria are asked to interview, and candidates among other points are asked to "teach" for twenty minutes the faculty interviewers on a subject similar to one to be taught. A "statement of teaching philosophy" should be available at least orally. OCC does not expect the statement of teaching philosophy s to be in writing, but it is best if the statement of teaching philosophy is in writing.

Slide Four
How does an MAT (Master of Arts-Teaching) differ from an M Ed (Masters in Education)? Is it an advantage to have one over the other? Response: M Ed useful for administrative and other career areas associated with education; MAT degree is intended for use by teachers. It's best to obtain the degree useful for the career one wants to pursue.
What additional resources are available for studying the Illinois Certification exams besides the study guides available on-line from ISBE? Response: Not clear due to ENG member's conversation nearby.

Slide Five
What advice can be given in regards to preparing applications (especially the written statement/essay portion)? Response: Show that applicant really wants to be a teacher.
What skills and qualifications are most important in order to be a successful teacher? Response: Be teaching oriented.
How does community college teaching compare with other types of teaching (i.e. at four-year colleges and universities, at the secondary level)? Response: Greater diversity of students, with substantial differences in student goals at OCC.

Slide Six
BUS-Business (Adjunct position)
Minimum Qualifications
MBA or Masters degree in management and a minimum of 2000 hours (1 year) of management/business work experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Additional relevant work experience, and college teaching experience

Slide Seven
ECO-Economics (Adjunct position)
Minimum Qualifications
Masters degree in economics or a MBA with at least 18 graduate credits in economics
Preferred Qualifications
College teaching experience

Slide Eight
MGT-Management and Supervision (Adjunct position)
MBA or MS/MA in management and a minimum of 2000 hours (1 year) of work experience in field.
Preferred Qualifications
Relevant work experience and college teaching experience.

Slide Nine
MKT-Marketing Management (Adjunct position)
MBA or MS/MA in marketing
Preferred Qualifications
Relevant work experience and college teaching experience.

In response to questions after the nine slides were shown, the OCC representatives noted:
Turnover among the 500 adjuncts is about 125 per year, or 25%.
There is no bargaining over salary. There is union (collective) bargaining over teaching levels.
80% of students don't graduate; 20% earn associate degrees or certificates. Many students transfer credits to other institutions, and this transferability is critical to the educational offerings to be made, and the adjunct characteristics, which are in demand. 75% are in a degree-ending program.
Department chairs help adjuncts with establishing coarse criteria, books to be ordered by students and the like. There is a one-week program available to adjuncts prior to semester commencement to help adjuncts learn about teaching methods and aspects of course development.

FINIS.