The University of Massachusetts Amherst Model: A Comprehensive Strategy for Enhancing Non-Tenure-Track Faculty Work Environments and Student Outcomes
The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMA), a public research university, has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to improving working conditions for non-tenure track faculty (NTTF) with a 20-year track record of progressive policies to improve the support for them. This commitment is manifested through a series of improvements in policies, practices and programs, specifically designed to expand support systems for NTTF. Many of the meaningful and impactful changes were made possible through the effective collaboration between the university leadership and the faculty union, which represents both this group as well as tenure-track (TT) faculty. Their collaborative efforts are guided by the UMA Model, which outlines the process an institution undertakes to transform the work environment for NTTF and ultimately enhance student experiences. The UMA model has been disseminated across other higher education institutions and professional organizations, amplifying its positive impacts beyond the UMA campus.