When we were first hired here, we would wonder why it was so difficult to teach three courses, come through adequately on service, and if we were not writing articles, at least write our conference papers. We could not understand it since 3 courses + minor service + conference papers, our goals that academic year, is not really a heavy workload.
It was the degree of obstruction that made every small act so difficult. “Struggling hard to stay in place, because of the huge undertow,” said a visitor.
The academic advisors will say that this is because we did not know how to manage time, conflict and so on, but we were already wilier and more experienced, even if less successful, than most academic advisors today.
It will be said that in fact we were less wily than we knew, and that was why we were in this kind of place, but once again I really doubt it – this is just something people say so they can feel it will never happen to them.
It was in fact said, by persons not here, that this could not be happening, because it would not, but I answer that it does happen if a direct attempt is being made to suffocate a program or a unit.
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It was made clear to me what my unwritten, yet truest tenure requirements were:
a) rehabilitate and mentor an assistant professor who was having some trouble, largely in reaction to how she had been treated so far, and
b) obey, in every decision made in and for our subfield, the desires of one instructor who was considered a valuable player; make sure to support his opinions and wishes against those of any other instructors, the ladder faculty, and so on.
Nobody will believe it because these two projects were broached as “suggestions” – yet I could tell what kind of suggestions they were. Everyone hired after me noticed that part b) was still the main tenure requirement. Those who complained were soon gone.
In a larger department and a more stable one it would have been entirely possible to appear to obey part b) or even actually obey it while not allowing it to damage your own academic day, but in that department that was not possible since it meant a large modification.
Still, I am sincere to a fault and I tend to think people mean what they say seriously. Many do not, or mean something else, and this always surprises me. Obedezco pero no cumplo is one of the most important sentences new faculty should learn.
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 