Some University instructors have joined the ranks of millions of other Americans in the job search in the midst of our nation’s economic crisis.
While some instructors have a stable back-up plan, not all instructors are prepared for unemployment in the spring.
To ensure herself a job in January, Classics, Latin and Greek instructor Dr. Johanna Sandrock, member of the Foreign Language 14, is taking the H & R Black tax course.
Sandrock said many Universities hire for the academic year — meaning chances of an instructor being hired for the spring semester at another University appear dim at best.
Publications are one of the first credentials other universities look for when hiring, Sandrock said.
“Here’s the problem with all of this — instructors do not have to publish, [we are] hired to teach,” she said.
Russian instructor Jean Rutherford said she will probably retire early and move back to Indiana to be with family. She said she might seek a job at Ball State University, though it’s not a priority.
However, Rutherford plans to teach a Russian course in the spring for a handful of students needing one more semester to complete their Russian minor — and she’s teaching for free. Rutherford was allowed to teach the course for free only after continued pleading to the University. The University feared she might set a precedent of teacher’s willing to voluntarily teach.
But when asked about some of her colleagues’ situations, Rutherford added, “Some people are feeling kind of desperate.”
According to the 2008 LSU salary database, instructors make an average of $40,000 annually — though salaries ranged from $34,000 to $56,000, qualifying instructors for the maximum weekly unemployment benefit of $247 a week.
The maximum unemployment benefit for fired instructors is $6,422. Since the total amount of unemployment insurance benefits is equal to 26 times the weekly benefit amount, unemployment benefits will end after six months.
German instructor Angelika Roy said she will collect unemployment for a while “since it’s there,” but will have to find another solution after her six months are done.
However, Roy said moving is not an option, which will make it more difficult to find work.
“In our group, we have several who rely on a single income,” she said. “There are others with kids in college, [and] most of us have a home.”
Though most instructors are scurrying to find immediate work, English instructors who received notices have a different outlook.
All English instructors received a deferral of non-reappointment in January 2010, saying they would not be re-hired in January 2011. But news recently surfaced that they received another letter that extends the date to August 2011.
“I’m skeptical of how to respond to the letters,” said Associate Director of University Writing Program Renee Major.
Since no current plan exists to fill the teaching positions instructors hold in the general education English courses — 1001 and 2001 — Major thinks it’s possible they will receive another letter extending the date to January 2012.
But she said it’s “really a pretty rotten way to do things” for the University to keep employees as insurance in case they need to fire them.
Major said instructors who are eligible for retirement, like herself, will probably retire earlier than expected if they are not reappointed.
“But in situations like this, the most vulnerable are the recently hired,” Major said. “People who are younger and can more easily relocate are probably looking at their plan B.”
LSU’s Human and Resource Management web site lists the “Top Ten Reasons to Work at LSU,” with the top reason being Prominent Employer. “LSU is one of the largest employers in the State of Louisiana and is the largest employer in Baton Rouge.”
LSU’s job services web site has 36 teaching positions that need to be filled.
LSU’s Human and Resource Management team for Academic and Professional Employment has many links for future employment opportunities, in addition to a 39 slide power point created by Louisiana’s Department of Civil Service laying guidelines for what to do if laid off by the University.
A transition team led by Executive Director Mimi Ruebsamen has helped approximately 35 employees who have received layoff notices since April 2009.
“Provost [Jack] Hamilton has also reached out to the University Council on Women to provide possible further assistance to those employees who have been impacted,” she said.
Nolde Alexius, English instructor, said overall instructors are unsure of their future.
“Nothing is certain,” he said. “Right now it seems that most people are in the wait and see mode.”
 
Helpful Links:
2008-2009 LSU Salary Database
All English instructors receive notices
UI Benefit FAQ
Four foreign languages to be cut
Human Resource Management: Resources for Impacted Employees