For the first time in four years, adjuncts were invited to the annual Christmas party hosted by St. Edward’s University.

Previously, adjuncts — also referred to as contingent faculty — were invited to the holiday celebration. That extended invitation had been rescinded four years ago, as previously reported in Hilltop Views.

When asked in January about the shift to exclude adjuncts at the Christmas party, Mischelle Diaz, the director of communications, said the decision was made at the “highest administrative level” to make it a benefits-eligible event.

This year, however, the invitations went out to adjuncts, Bon Appetit management and faculty and staff eligible for benefits.

“The Christmas party was never meant to be exclusionary and the university was happy to review how the party is structured,” Diaz said. “As always, we will assess the success of the party in the new year and recommend any other changes that might be warranted.”

Hilltop Views’ reporting on the adjuncts being left out was not “an influencer or trigger” to cause a review of the party, Diaz said. She said the decision to include adjuncts was made by some vice presidents of the school.

“I was not invited for the last few years, although I used to get an invitation every year, back when I started in 2005,” adjunct instructor Amy Adams said.

Adams said she has not attended the party in the past because of busy December schedules and didn’t have time.

“But I admit it would feel a bit weird now to show up at party knowing that I was part of a group that was debated over whether or not we should be included,” Adams said.

This year’s party is Dec. 10 at the Hyatt Regency Austin Hotel, according to a leaked invitation. The party is a night of conversation, eating and dancing with live music by Austin’s award-winning, five-piece high energy band, Caboose, according to the invitation.