In the article “At UMass Lowell, discontent,’’ about adjunct faculty decrying unequal pay and benefits, the reporter states that adjuncts “aren’t expected to publish research.’’ This does not reflect reality. To be considered for an adjunct or tenure track position in the art and design fields, faculty must be continually making and showing their artwork, which is akin to publishing research in other fields. We adjuncts come to UMass Lowell with the same credentials as our fellow faculty who are on the tenure track.

Further, I take issue with the university spokesperson’s statement that adjuncts aren’t required to mentor students. We adjunct faculty are committed to our students, and mentoring, advising, and meeting outside of class time — i.e., holding office hours with no office — are absolutely part of our job.

It is ridiculous that the university sells students short by not expecting the highest standards from all its faculty.

Laurel McMechan

Brighton