ASF or Teaching Faculty?
I recently received a query from an academic service faculty (ASF) member of CLPA as regards a possible "jump" from his current rank (II-1) to a higher rank once he finishes his PhD. He told me that he is "confused" because he has been hearing people say that a PhD degree is not a requirement among ASFs. He is therefore thinking of converting from ASF to teaching faculty given his teaching and professional experience.My reply? I told him that conversion is a very feasible option, especially if he has a clear professional development plan for himself. I also confirmed that a PhD is not required of an ASF (Faculty Manual, page 31). Personally, I do not believe that a PhD is required to function fully as an academic service personnel either. Maybe for teaching or research. But not for academic service. So if one really wants to put that PhD degree to good use, he should opt to join the teaching ranks.
As for promotion, an ASF needs to compile years of experience in his unit and produce outputs in order to earn promotion. If an ASF finds that a bit too slow, I recommend conversion. But of course, he needs to find a School to accept him first. And prepare for things like lesson planning, checking papers, being rated by students, observed by peers and superiors, using various teaching strategies, being available for student consultations, talking to parents, doing classroom research, developing instructional materials, etc.
In the end, there must be this realization that ASFs and teachers really have very different functions. It is a matter of choosing which of the two jobs satisfies our personal and professional goals.
posted by Adi @ 11:20 AM
4 Comments:
I understand the point being made here. However, many ASFs were hired at a time when ASFs were still allowed to teach. Thus, they entered into a psychological contract where they can function as academic service faculty but also teach some courses. After some period, the definition of ASF changed and they were not allowed to teach. Converting to faculty status would mean they have to give up their accumulated years of service or their jobs for that matter. This became a major roadblock for ASFs. I don't know if I'm right but I would think that many ASFs construe their current standing as "something they did not necessarily sign up for" when they entered DLS-CSB.
Thanks for the comments, Caths. Actually, a CSB old-timer told me that ASFs weren't really meant to teach. The time they were "allowed to teach" was in fact a trial period to find out if that arrangement is feasible. But at the end of that trial period, it was determined with finality that ASFs will not be given teaching assignments. So ASFs weren't actually hired with a promise that they will be allowed to teach.
And as for the conversion, it is a decision an individual has to make. Some may not find the need for it. But some, like Soc Bacay, who converted from ASF to teaching faculty, may see the advantage of doing so.
Thanks for the kilometric post, Techie :-) I'm sure a lot of readers will gain valuable insights and appreciate your sharing as much as I did.
Do we have other inputs from our peers?
Thanks for the sharings. The reason why I mentioned the term psychological contract is that when I was invited to work in DLS-CSB, the "promise" of being allowed to teach and serve my function was one of the things I considered when making the decision. It came as a surprise when after about 2 years of service, this was changed and teaching was no longer an option. Regardless, it is a good thing that this is being discussed openly.
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