INDIANAPOLIS—Adjunct instructors at Indiana University are preparing for the upcoming semester by renting office space in a series of pre-owned Honda Civics parked in a series of back alleys and forgotten parking lots.
“The cars have everything I need. I can plug my six-year-old laptop into the cigarette lighter, and some of them still have CDs in the consoles that work,” said School of Social Work Adjunct Christina Moriarty, seen above in the once-modest sedan. “This one came with a burned CD that said ‘My Mix’ on it,” she added until a student tapped on the window to chat during Office Hours.
University officials tout the efficacy of the new Honda Civic program and its cost savings. “Taxpayers are saving a bundle. We can use these old cars, save on buildings, charge adjunct instructors for the space, and save on towing costs,” said IU Vice Provost Paul Kingston.
Adjuncts can rent office space for $19.99/hour, or, bundle up in “car pools” and share one of four seats in the same Civic for just $4.99/hour. An LX model with power windows is available for an additional $10/day.
“I call shotgun!” said History Department Adjunct Geoff Gudson, seen riding between appointments across campus. “None of the faculty can get benefits like this,” he said, circling the lot outside the Luddy School of Informatics for the fifth time.