Full-time Women Faculty Off the Tenure Track: Profile and Practice

Abstract

Women are overrepresented in the growing number and proportion of full-time non-tenure-track faculty. Data from NSOPF-93, institutional surveys, and interviews show these women clustered in the lowest faculty ranks and in traditionally female disciplines. They carry heavier teaching loads than their male colleagues, are paid less, and have fewer opportunities for advancement. Full-time non-tenure-track women with a doctorate are the least satisfied of all faculty. These findings suggest substantive institutional changes in politics and practices dealing with non-tenure-track faculty.