(Paul Fraughton | The Salt Lake Tribune) Alma Teao Wilson, an adjunct professor of math at Utah Valley University, carries a box of teaching materials as he walks to his quantitative reasoning class.

Western Editorial Sampler: News is local again ...

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Nov 28 2012 10:38 am • Last Updated Nov 28 2012 10:38 am

The presidential election is over. So some of our favorite editorialists are back to opining on local issues:

— Adjunct dilemma: Part-time faculty are underpaid — Salt Lake Tribune Editorial

It’s Economics 101: If there are many people willing to do a certain job for low pay, the pay for that job will remain low. The same could be said of other career payouts, including benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. When employees appear unconcerned, why should an institution offer more?

In the world of academia, there is the added stigma of a part-time faculty member appearing to be more "blue-collar" than her full-time colleagues if she complains about her pay. Intellectualism seldom brings a high salary, and true academics think about more intrinsic rewards.

But adjunct instructors at Utah Valley University face more of a practical stigma from not being able to make a living teaching because the pay is low, even for people with good academic credentials but not, perhaps, doctoral degrees. ...

... Students pay the same for an adjunct as for a full-time professor. To be fair, universities should treat adjuncts as professionals.

— Kudos to North Ogden’s Taylor — Ogden Standard-Examiner Editorial

The Standard-Examiner gives a well-earned thanks to North Ogden Councilman Brent Taylor, who has worked hard to move the rest of the council toward a more transparent and open city government. ...

— Openness in records law could be stronger — Fort Worth Star-Telegram Editorial

— Locally owned business boost — Provo Daily Herald Editorial

Last Friday was Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that yields banner retail sales in the walk-up to Christmas. ... But did you know that the next day was Small Business Saturday? Maybe not. ...

— The voters spoke ... for what it’s worth — Idaho Statesman Editorial

— Voters must play part in reforming elections — Prescott (Ariz.) Daily Courier Editorial

— A less divided electorate — Eugene (Ore.) Register-Guard Editorial

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