Why the School of Visual Arts Should Form a Faculty Union
Title: Rethinking the Role of the Adjunct: From Peripheral to Pivotal in Art Education
In the shifting landscape of American higher education, the term “adjunct” has become synonymous with precarity, subordination, and temporariness. Derived from Latin roots meaning “joined to” or “attached,” the word often carries connotations of inferiority—an auxiliary presence to something more central and esteemed. Yet in an age where nearly 75% of college instructors in the United States are non-tenure track, mostly adjunct faculty, it is time to radically reframe the perception and positionality of adjunct educators—particularly in the dynamic and complex ecosystem of art schools.
This article explores the systemic challenges faced by adjunct faculty, particularly within the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City, and makes a compelling case for unionization as a path toward equity, sustainability, and transformation in higher education.
Understanding the “Adjunct” Identity
The Oxford English Dictionary offers a litany of definitions for “adjunct,” most of them emphasizing its supportive—not central—function. It signifies that which is supplemental, subordinate, or expendable. Historically, this auxiliary status has translated into the structural marginalization of adjunct workers—underpaid, overworked, and excluded from institutional decisions.
In many institutions, adjuncts are perpetual outsiders, existing on the fringes of the academic body and often excluded from the benefits, resources, and political rights enjoyed by their tenure-track counterparts. This division is especially pronounced in art schools, where faculties consist largely—sometimes entirely—of adjuncts.
The School of Visual Arts: A Case in Point
Founded in 1947 as a training school for war veterans under the G.I. Bill, SVA evolved into a prestigious institution over the decades. Today, it serves over 3,600 students with coursework that bridges traditional media and cutting-edge interdisciplinary programs. Yet one legacy remains largely unchanged: the heavy reliance on adjunct faculty.
Despite being staffed by over 1,000 adjunct educators who serve as the backbone of its academic vision, SVA remains one of the only major art institutions in New York City without a faculty union. This is in sharp contrast to peers such as NYU, CUNY, Parsons School of Design, and Cooper Union, where union representation has led to tangible gains in working conditions, wages, and job security.
The Need for Unionization
Unionization is not a cure-all, but it is a critical first step toward parity and recognition. In unionized colleges, adjunct faculty have successfully secured basic protections—timely contracts, fair compensation, health benefits, and professional development opportunities. More importantly, unions bestow a collective voice, empowering instructors to shape institutional policies and advocate for academic freedom and integrity.
Case in point: At institutions such as Hunter College and the Maryland Institute College of Art, unionization has enabled part-time faculty to apply for competitive grants, receive family health coverage, and be compensated for essential non-teaching duties like mentoring and curriculum development.
In contrast, non-unionized adjuncts at SVA face excessive course cancellations, lack of healthcare, underwhelming compensation, and no grievance process—a vivid picture of professional instability.
Reimagining the Margins
Rethinking the role of the adjunct is not just a logistical necessity—it is an existential one for higher education. In an age of polarized wealth, dwindling academic support, and eroding job security, the adjunct predicament mirrors broader labor inequities in America’s gig economy.
However, a collective reimagination is possible. By embracing the unique flexibility, diversity, and innovation that adjuncts bring, institutions can foster a more inclusive and adaptable model of education. Adjuncts are, after all, often active artists, designers, and researchers whose outside work directly enriches their teaching and student engagement.
The Path Forward at SVA
With faculty now mobilizing under the banner of SVA Faculty United, the school faces a crossroads. The administration has a rare opportunity to be a leader in higher education reform by voluntarily supporting the unionization of adjunct faculty—an act that goes beyond compliance to genuine community-building.
This move would signal that the institution values all its educators not as expendable parts, but as integral assets whose well-being directly contributes to the health of the student body and curriculum. Transparent policies, inflation-adjusted wages, equitable access to resources, and job protections are not radical demands, but essential benchmarks for any institution committed to educational excellence.
An Evolving Definition of “Adjunct”
Looking back to Shakespeare’s 1598 Love’s Labour’s Lost, we encounter a luminous definition of the word: “Learning is but an adiunct to our selfe, And where we are, our Learning likewise is.” In this poetic framing, the adjunct is not peripheral. It is part of our core. Essential. Indivisible.
The time has come for institutions to align their practices with this integral understanding—embracing adjunct