The purpose of the committee is to promote discussion of issues facing temporary and part-time faculty. This includes issues that affect temporary and part-time directly as well as broader issues. The former includes, e.g., academic freedom for temporary and part-time faculty, notification of hire and renewal of contract, general working conditions, such as office space, computer access, phone access, etc., time and compensation for research and committee work, and representation in the Faculty Senate. The latter might include how increased reliance on temporary and part-time faculty affects the make-up of the university and tenure-line positions.

The ISU AAUP Committee G, formed in May of 2000, is the first of its kind in Iowa. With increased reliance on temporary and part-time faculty it is important that temps and part-timers discuss their status. About 50% of all university instructors nationwide are temps or part-timers, and the number keeps rising. At ISU about 25% of instructors are temps or part-timers, and there is every indication that the number will increase in the near future.

As a group, temps and part-timers are here to stay. It is time to get together.