Results are in from the AFAC survey requested by the Faculty Affairs Committee, on criteria for promotion to Adjunct III. NOTE: The response rate was so low that the survey is invalid as a vote by adjunct faculty on adjunct preferences.* The low response rate may reflect lack of enthusiasm for surveys, for surveys requested by non-adjunct faculty, or for exceptional promotions rather than broader-based improvements (pay raises). That said, here are the trends that did show up in responses:

Areas of consensus: 

On the questions:

Question 1. Overwhelming majority agree that candidates for Adjunct III must have the qualifications of an Adjunct II.

Question 3 (Option B). Strong majority agree that there should be no minimum time in grade after Adjunct II, for            promotion to Adjunct III.

Question 4. Solid majority agree on teaching record, as established by in-class observation and SCEQs, as a criterion.

Question 5. Solid majority agree that criteria for teaching should be consistent with those for candidates for promotion to the rank of Senior Lecturer at UMBC: “A Senior Lecturer is expected to demonstrate excellence in teaching and teaching leadership, which may include development of new curriculum, teaching innovations, scholarship, and/or creative works.”

On qualifications of current adjuncts:

A solid majority of responders DO have 1) memberships in academic or community organizations and records of service in same; 2) other community service and/or research; 3) evidence of professional development; 4) evidence of service to UMBC on campus or off; 5) awards, honors, or prizes; and 6) evidence of productivity in a job or profession off campus.

Note: for every category of professional qualification except one, responders indicated that they "Expect to have in the future." The one exception was the category "evidence of productivity in a job or profession off campus." (In other words, responders not already working elsewhere do not expect to engage in a profession other than college teaching, or do not expect to leave UMBC, or both.)

An overwhelming majority of responders do NOT have a record of elective office at any level, although two responders do.   

Areas of disagreement:

Question 2 (Option A). Wide-ranging disagreement over what time in grade should be required for Adjunct III.

Question 6. Wide disagreement on recognition for service.

Baltimore got a little more soulful when singer-songwriter Charlie Puth arrived. On April 2, Charlie Puth stopped in Baltimore at Rams Head Live during his Nine Track Mind tour. Before Puth hit the stage, his opening acts Phoebe Ryan and Sophie Beem entertained the crowd while they waited for the pop-singer to make his much anticipated entrance.

Puth piqued the interest of the music industry after his worldwide hit single, “See You Again” with rapper Wiz Khalifa, dominated the charts and spent seven weeks at number one on iTunes, then held the record for the most-streamed track in a single day on Spotify in the United States. It also set the record for most streams in a single week worldwide.

Though Puth only sang for 90 minutes, he showed off his musical talents to his enamored crowd by beat-boxing on his radio friendly hit with pop-singer Meghan Trainor, “Marvin Gaye” and singing “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” his song with Selena Gomez. Puth belted his songs with passion in the center of the stage on a large black grand piano. He slowed things down and got intimate when he sat on the piano and sang his sweetest ballad on his album, “Then There’s You,” telling a charming story of how it’s about a girl he “almost kissed.” The talented singer captivated the largely teen-girl audience with his infectious hits, such as “Suffer” – a gritty, sexually charged song – and “My Gospel,” an anthem that has him preaching about committing to his women.

With just a short song setlist to play from, Puth delivered. Puth had the appearance of an “underdog,” taking the stage in a pair of ripped jeans and a Nirvana t-shirt that seems overrated now — but it’s working for him. Considering that Puth went from writing songs for YouTube personalities three years ago, to singing on the most successful track of 2015, Puth deserves to be singing in front of a crowd of screaming fans. Puth’s album, “Nine Track Mind,” is filled with promising pop-hits that showcase his talent and compliment his beautiful tenor-falsetto voice. That night was his chance to show the audience his stage presence, and he did not disappoint.

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It seemed that Capree Garner had been hosting events for years, but this was actually her first rodeo. In the Commons ballroom, while hurrying from table to table, and assuring that every chair was in place, Garner smiled and greeted every audience member upon arrival.

“The Lunchbox Special,” a UMBC radio show that airs every Monday from 3 to 4 p.m., has been around for a little over a year. Garner, a senior media and communications studies major, is the show’s anchor, and she keeps the crowds tuned in with her humor and charisma. But, with a relatively new show comes new work. This past Monday, Garner decided to ditch the radio show for a night, and host a multi-cultural event, showcasing the different talents that UMBC has to offer.

Garner has been planning this event for some time now. The event was a little nerve-wrecking for her to put together, but with the help of her co-anchor Stixz Wilson, a junior majoring in media and communications, the two managed to host an amazing show. However, Garner did face a few last minute issues. After four talents dropped out of the show a few hours prior, Capree grew skeptical.

“We were supposed to have 10 performances. I can’t believe they’d drop out at the last minute,” she said. “Well, some had family emergencies, and I wouldn’t have wanted them to perform under that pressure.”

Although these changes of heart caused a few different disturbances in the shows arrangement, the show had to go on. At 8 p.m., the first act was finally ready to hit the stage. Fans waited in anticipation and annoyance, since the show stared thirty minutes late. But hey, at least there were cupcakes.

Gurleen Ahuja was the first performer of the night. She sang a few of her personal favorites, while going back and forth between English and Punjabi lyrics. She even soothed the crowd with a new song that she recently produced, titled “Challenge the Darkness.” Ahuja, a freshman and global studies major, wrote “Challenge the Darkness” with efforts to uplift minorities.

Ahuja’s track is now available on iTunes, and the proceeds are going to a great cause. “All of the money is going to a fund in Honduras,” she said. “I want to help minorities get more attention.”

Following Ahuja, several different performers ranging from rappers, singers and dancers took to the dance floor, and killed the stage. One of the most anticipated performances was the Lip Sync Battle that was performed by Valerie Johnson, a sophomore majoring in biomedical sciences, and Devin McKay, a junior theatre studies major. Capree and Stixz danced along with the two throughout their laughter-filled performance, which included everything from Beyoncé’s “Formation” to Michael Jackson’s “Bad.”

Capree and Stixz finished off the night cooling down the crowd after a night full of strong performances. Garner, though a little disappointed about the turnout, was proud nonetheless.

“Everything worked out smoothly, and the show was a success. I had a great time,” said Garner, at the end of the night. “I thank everyone for all of the help, and can’t wait for the next event.”

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