SF Art Institute Adjunct Professors Walk Out Of Class, Join National Movement For Job Security
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— About 100 professors, students and their supporters staged a noontime walkout of classes at the San Francisco Art Institute. Wednesday's action was part of a national movement where adjunct professors and non-permanent college instructors united in a call for better pay and job security.
The first-ever "National Adjunct Walkout Day" was just one of several local college campuses that took part in the protests.
Organizer Jennifer Smith Camejo with SEIU Local 1021 said they want to bring attention to the current trend in higher education nationwide.
"You have in many cases, a super majority of faculty who have absolutely no say in how their schools are run, have no job security from one semester to the next, are not even paid a living wage and usually have no health benefits or retirement benefits," she said.
Art Institute adjunct instructor Jessica Beard said her two main issues are job security and pay.
"If I were to lose my very rent-controlled apartment, there's no way I could afford to live here on what I make teaching at two different schools, sometimes a full load; two courses at each school.
she said.
Organizers called on colleges to raise standards and improve conditions for adjuncts. Supporters of the teaching structure argue it helps keep costs down and that some faculty actually prefer it.
