forums are opportunities for nontenure-track faculty to interact with members of the Dean's office and other University officials, both to learn about new developments in the College and University and also to air concerns and offer suggestions. “We very much appreciate these kinds of meetings and Dean Olson’s openness and willingness to meet with us. They really improve the working relationship between instructional faculty and the leadership at the College,” said Sharon S. MacDonald, President of the ISU NTT Faculty Association and Instructor of History.

MacDonald commended the Dean for his use of the term instructional faculty rather than the more traditional nontenure-track faculty: "The term ‘instructional faculty’ signals that the College values us as real professionals." Other attendees expressed similar sentiments. "I appreciate the Dean listening. I’ve been in other institutions where you were a non-person," said Suzanne Broderick, who teaches FOI for the History Department.

William Reger of the Department of History added, "It’s nice to sit down with the leadership and chat." When Reger asked if the College would be willing to fund instructional faculty research, Dean Olson vowed to look into the possibility of locating funding for competitive course releases. Olson explained, "I’ve always said that the best teachers are the ones whose pedagogy is informed by current research in the field, and I understand it’s difficult to keep up with and participate in scholarly conversations when you’re always in the classroom."

At the meeting, Olson provided updates about budgetary issues, and Associate Dean Jonathan Rosenthal discussed recent changes in the general education requirements. The participants also discussed union contracts, benefits, and departmental autonomy.

"Communication is always good," stressed Kathryn Kerr of the Department of English. Phyllis Feaster, Children’s Literature Instructor, agreed: "It’s great of the Deans to meet with NTTs and ask for ideas. At least we feel recognized and have some input. I would feel comfortable calling them. It’s really an open-door policy."