commentary by Jim Zupanic
Hundreds of YSU part time faculty members begin each day working in businesses and industries of every size. They work in private and public institutions. With their education and experience they help make the Mahoning Valley successful in a wide variety of fields. At least a couple days per week when they finally squeeze the lid closed on one days work they don’t head for home. They head for YSU , usually physically sometimes electronically. What do they do there?
At a
student centered institution like YSU they address the prime mission of the
university.They lecture, lead class discussions, guide student
work, set up labs and administer
assessment instruments. It isn’t over
yet. On weekends there are tests,
projects and papers to evaluate. Time
is required to prepare for the next weeks classes. Part time faculty are often engaged in
continuously upgrading their own knowledge.
Courses
taught by part time faculty can range from freshman to senior level. Part time faculty know what types of
technical expertise will be expected of graduates and how they will need to
develop on the job. They are aware of
the advantages of a broad based general education component.
