As the number of adjunct faculty continues to grow on campuses across the U.S., there is growing concern that due to a lack of training and/or time, most are not using effective teaching methods. Roger Baldwin and Matthew Wawrzynski, two faculty at Michigan State, conducted the research and stressed in an interview that they fault the conditions part-time instructors work under, and not the instructors themselves, for their failure to use effective teaching methods more often. As talk ratchets up about possible budget cuts to Texas institutions of higher education, some students are taking a proactive stance. With state lawmakers facing a shortfall estimated at $24 billion, it’s more important than ever to involve students in such discussions. At the most recent Texas State University System Board of Regents held on the LU campus last month, student leaders from throughout the TSUS voiced similar concerns and offered suggestions as well as laying out their plan of action for the coming legislative session. A new report just released notes that of students who entered higher education in 2003-4, about half had earned degrees or certificates by June 2009, says the U.S. Department of Education. As for the rest, 15 percent were still enrolled, and 36 percent had left higher education. Do you think you could recognize good teaching if you saw it? What criteria would you use to determine what good teaching looks like? Having an in-class confidential evaluation might be a good start. If you are interested, feel free to contact your Center for Teaching and Learning Enhancement at x7553.