Academic Senate Faculty Development Vice President Kristie Daniel-DiGregorio introduced the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award and proposed a new Academic Rank Information Statement at the Academic Senate meeting Tuesday.

More than 60 percent of employed faculty are part-time and they are best known as “adjunct” faculty. The Academic Senate attempts to recognize hard work and dedication through a $1,000 yearly compensation award.

Through a rigorous selection process, the adjunct faculty member that best illustrates leadership and commitment to the EC mission will get the money, according to an informational flier passed in the meeting.

The award can only become possible through the contribution of fellow faculty. Any desiring faculty member has been invited to join the recognition that has been planned to take effect every fall semester.

Daniel-DiGregorio also proposed a new system of academic rank. The qualifications for instructors, adjunct assistant professors, assistant professors, associate professors, professors, and professors emeritus await modifications and are expected to align EC to other institutions.

“It is not necessarily a solution to fix the problems that we have,” Ali Ahmadpour, fine arts professor, said. “In many institutions, it is very hard to obtain a professor position.”