Encourage your students to come to office hours. Many of our students aren’t used to talking one-on-one with their professors, so they may need you to model this for them. Show them this slide show about office hours. Hold conferences in class. Pass around a sign-up sheet. Having a personal relationship with a faculty member could make all the difference in the world for a student. 

Full time faculty are required to schedule two office hours per week (30 per semester). As per the union contract, adjunct faculty office hours are determined as follows:

• A total of fewer than 3 classroom contact hours per week*: 0 paid office hours
• 3 or more but fewer than 6 classroom contact hours per week: 15 paid office hours/semester
• 6 or more but fewer than 9 classroom contact hours per week: 30 paid office hours/semester
• 9 or more classroom contact hours per week: 45 paid office hours/semester

Adjunct’s office hours should be paid at their full hourly rate. 

Office hours can be conducted in whichever modality you prefer– in person or on zoom. Please make it clear to your students how and where to find you.  You will also need to let the English Department know your hours early in the semester.  Adjunct faculty may use the office in 529, but it can get crowded and sometimes, there is a lack of privacy, which is why some professors opt for Zoom. The  4th floor of the library has been used by some professors as an alternative space.   

For more information about office hours, you can consult the “Workload” section of the contract.

*contact hours are generally equivalent to credits/credit hours taught. Please see the department chair if you have any questions.