Harvard University Removes Time Caps for Preceptors and Lecturers: What This Means for Education

Harvard recently made a significant proposal during contract negotiations with its non-tenure-track faculty union. The offer suggests eliminating time limits on lecturer and preceptor appointments. This change could allow for unlimited renewals, marking a big shift in how academic jobs are structured at Harvard.

Currently, non-tenure-track faculty appointments are capped at two, three, or eight years. The new tiered system would create positions—Lecturer I, II, and III—alongside similar roles for preceptors. This means that while the top positions can be renewed indefinitely, those not promoted would still face expiration at the end of their contracts.

However, the Harvard Academic Workers-United Auto Workers (HAW-UAW) union isn’t impressed. In an email to its members, the union criticized other stipulations in the proposal, such as high course load requirements and limits on Teaching Assistant positions, calling them "unacceptable."

If passed, the counterproposal would also impact how promotions work. Lecturers and preceptors in the first two tiers would have limited contracts unless they applied for promotion, which depends on curriculum needs and budget approval. In a related issue, the university is also pushing to change how non-reappointments are treated. The union argues that those who aren’t reappointed should still have the same grievance rights as employees who are terminated.

Thomas A. Dichter, a lecturer and part of the bargaining committee, captured the union’s sentiments well when he noted that despite recent victories, more work is required to secure job stability and security.

Recent data shows that job satisfaction in academia has been declining. According to a survey by the American Association of University Professors, only 29% of faculty feel secure in their positions, down from 45% in 2015. This trend underscores the importance of addressing job security issues, like those being negotiated at Harvard.

The union represents around 3,700 non-tenure-track faculty members across various Harvard schools. Their fight for better contracts reflects broader concerns in academia about job security and respect in the workplace.

As negotiations continue, keeping an eye on how institutions handle faculty contracts could shape future policies in academia. The Harvard case provides a clear example of the ongoing struggle for better working conditions and could serve as a catalyst for other universities to reevaluate their employment practices.

For further reading on academic job security, you can check reports from the American Association of University Professors and their advocacy for faculty rights.

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