The Griffin: volume 72, issue 11 - Jan. 25, 2002

              Increasing enrollment in colleges across the nation are requiring schools to lean on this form of inexpensive labor as a way to make ends meet. Lercher's organization, of which he serves as Vice President, is the Western New York Coalition on Contingent Academic Labor (COCAL). They estimate that adjuncts make up about 20% more of the professors population than they did 20 years ago. To date, adjuncts make up on average 43% of college professors nationwide. This goal includes future speakers for Women's History Month in March and Latin American speakers for Latin History Month next September. The senate is currently looking to schedule Ananda Lewis or Queen Latifa to speak in March or April. For Almonte other important areas are keeping all diversity clubs represented in the Senate, and getting a budget for activities involved with the Diversity Committee. A main goal of the Diversity Committee this year is to improve the diversity of speakers the school brings to campus. As Almonte stated, "The school needs to bring speakers of diversity because students can relate to them in a lot of ways". Almonte is currently recruiting an Assistant to the Chair and Information Officer to complete the committee. These officers will act as a connection between Almonte and all of the organizations he represents in the Senate. Since the beginning of the year, he has completed all tasks of the committee single-handedly. see Adjuncts page 2 As committee head, Almonte is responsible for representing campus clubs and offices that celebrate diversity. This includes clubs like LASFA and the Afro- American Society. He represents the offices of Multicultural Affairs, Disability Support Services, and International Student Affairs. Head of the Diversity Committee is Junior Harold Almonte. Appointed in October, Almonte was previously president of Latin American Students And Friends (LASAF). He has past experience concerning diversity issues and has been involved with the Mulitcultural Office and its activities. on issues or concerns about diversity on campus, as well as creating or improving programs to represent the diversity of the student body. Diversity at Canisius is addressed by a specialized committee within the Student Senate. The committee focuses In addition to being underpaid, adjuncts are not required to receive any benefits from the institution. No health or One might ask how can a person work that much and make so little. Adjunct faculty members are usually paid a flat rate for every class they teach. Lercher's was $1,700 per class and he says that is average for private schools. SUNY schools, he says, pay a bit more, but still not enough. Last year Lercher taught at least one class at three area schools, including Canisius. He also works full time at a local bookstore. At the end of the year, he estimates he worked full time, plus half over again when combining all of his jobs. Even with putting in a 60-hour workweek, Lercher made only slightly over $14,000 at year's end. That works out to $2.33 per hour, not including the time spent outside of school grading papers, meeting with students and preparing for class. "Too often adjunct professors are seen as interchangeable parts," says Lercher. "We are not part of the academic community of the schools we teach at." Aaron Lercher, adjunct faculty member of Canisius' philosophy department says that not only are the people in his position getting the shaft, but in some cases so are their students. Most students do not realize that the majority of 100 level courses are taught by people who are employed by their school on a part time basis. Furthermore, these professors are often not provided with the resources that tenured professors enjoy. Many things, like permanent office space and Internet access are not available to adjuncts in many schools, including Canisius. Resources, space, and money are at a premium to the majority of public and private colleges and most schools cut corners when it comes to their part-time help. Concern throughout the academic community is rising in regards to the reliance on and treatment of part-time professors at local colleges and universities. Canlsius College, Buffalo. NY Students volunteer in NYC Friday, January 25, 2002 Volume LXXII. Number 11 the trip were incredible, according to Father Bucki and several of the students that participated. Each person gained a greater sense of service and each helped reinforce the Jesuit slogan of "men and women for others". They were not only able to witness the sociology and economy of NYC but they were also able Z\)c ©rifftn m t Mowtii 7 mum 10 \m 16 ins^h Today'sB ( riTTT _ 1 J|J ;» I I I ■ Feel like taking a trip to a Griffin editorials reflect on the Editor in Chief James Walkowiak The men's basketball team warmer climate? Or would you progress of the last four years and the makes his selections for the best played thirteen games over winter rather just buy a house and stay present and future of the radio movies of 2001. The good movies break. To read about the team's trip near Canisius? Either way, News station on page 6. Also, Editorial were great and the bad ones were to Arizona and the start of the has got your number. Check pages Page Editor Gary Bostwick makes dismal. Turn to pages 8 and 9 to see MAAC season, see page 13. 2 and 4 to learn more. resolutions-or does he? See page 7. if you agree. communities Junior Erik Diringer implementing some serious elbow grease at St. Ignatius Parish in Brooklyn, NY. CAMPUS MINISTRY Canisius volunteers pause momentarily for a photo with students from St, Ignatius Youth Group. CAMPUS MINISTRY In a week of service, love, and dedication, 23 Canisius students and two ministers traveled to New York City over the Winter break. From January 5 until January 12, these 25 representatives In the beginning of the fall semester. It is the first year that this Winter Service Week was available. Father John Bucki S.J. and Joseph VanVolkenburg from the Campus Ministry Office headed this new program. of Canisius were stationed at various sites throughout the city, providing crucial assistance to grateful residents. By Amanda Bneind en stein News Reporter "We did it out of love, to make a contribution, and to share ourselves with the people of NYC," explains Joseph VanVolkenburg. students were encouraged to sign up for the Winter Service Week. High student interest resulted in 23 Canisius students prepared to sacrifice the last week of their winter break in service to others. A sacrifice that those who participated say, in the end, reaped as many benefits for them as it did for the NYC residents. emergency rooms, nursing homes, and Jesuit schools for junior high children. Before the trip, the Canisius participants were asked to choose one place they would prefer to volunteering. The students were then split up among the seven sites, according to the amount of work that needed to be accomplished at each site. Originally, two places were selected as sites for the service week, but the amount of participating students expanded that number to seven. These sites included shelters for women, One of the greatest aspects of this service week for the students was living among the people with whom they were working. Many of the women's shelters and convents where they volunteered provided the students with room and board. The experiences that came out of Throughout the weeklong service trip, each participant worked hard in a variety of jobs. At the Mercy Center in the Bronx, the volunteers created an after-school program and fixed up an apartment for a family. Students interested in Pre-Med provided assistance in the Emergency Room at North Central Bronx Hospital. At The Dwelling Place, a shelter for women, volunteers worked among the residents providing supper and, in many ways at The Dwelling Place. Although this is the first year for the Winter Service Week, Canisius students haw had the opportunity for several years to participate in the Appalachia Spring Break Project. That program is based in a rural community, while the new Winter Service program aims at urban immersion. Canisius students Kathy Riley and Chandana Boblak helped to organize the new program and were excited to be a part of the urban experience. Even though NYC seems to be a community closer to our own, it is still an entirely different culture and lifestyle. Many of the students worked directly with immigrants in the city. "I certainly brought back an awareness of the different cultures around us," confides Riley. about salaries and benefits By Eric DuVall News Reporter Adjunct professors concerned to work with individuals and hear their personal stories. "Sometimes, that is all these women need.. .someone to talk to and to share their experiences with," explains Sara Pirrone, who volunteered See Service page 2 By Jennelle Heyer News Reporter the Student Senate Diversity issues addressed in dental coverage is provided to them by Canisius, nor a retirement plan or pension. This is the norm for schools across the country. A full-time, non-tenured professor at Canisius makes roughly $50,000 to teach the same number of classes as some adjuncts do. Adjuncts can teach a full class load and make only $6,800 if paid the same flat rate Lercher made per class last year. This is where many schools can make up a financial gap. Adjuncts are often given the larger classes of incoming