For most who do not know what “adjunct” means, it’s “a thing added to something else as a supplementary, rather than an essential part,” according to Merriam-Webster. At many colleges, including, many teachers from Grossmont, City and Mesa Colleges are referred to as “adjuncts.” However, many take issue with the idea of adjunct faculty being “unessential.” In reality, many colleges rely heavily on adjunct faculty.

In education, an “adjunct professor” is considered an instructor who is not yet full-time faculty, so he or she takes on any classes from their choice of study, be it math, English, foreign languages, etc. at different schools–kind of like a substitute teacher, but for the entire semester. Because they do not have full-time positions, or the benefits that go with them, many adjunct professors work at multiple schools, adding up to the equivalent of several part-time jobs.

It can be a tough road, and this month, many adjuncts want to bring that issue to light across the nation through National Adjunct Day. Held Feb. 25, the protest is hosted by labor groups.

The idea was proposed via social media by a San Jose University adjunct professor, who wanted to have a day where adjunct faculty walk out to grab the colleges’ attentions and increase their support.

At Grossmont, tables will be set up to talk from Feb. 23-25 about the money that needs to be put into the California state budget towards adjunct needs. They will have letters, stamps and envelopes for students to send to the governor and other important figures in Sacramento.

The rallies will begin the day of the walkout in the main centers of the schools; the Grossmont rally will be held at 2 p.m. in front of the LRTC. Hosts have strongly encouraged other professors to bring their classes, saying it will be a great learning experience to let students know what is really going on in their campuses.