Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Oklahoma Update


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Posted by Kenneth Sloan on May 03, 2003 at 17:57:46:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Oklahoma Update posted by wc on May 03, 2003 at 12:44:07:

Finally! A posting that is to the point.

The lesson all students should learn from this is "read your contract".

If the contract says "1 year" and provides no explicit deadlines for renewing (or not), then you should assume that the job will terminate in...1 year.

Tenure track positions usually work slightly differently - but they also usually have a 1-year time period. At most places, a tenure-track position *requires* a 1 year notice that the contract will NOT be renewed. A typical first contract is for 3 years, and a decision about renewal MUST be made at the 2 year point. At that point, the person is told "we would like to renew your appointment for a second 3-year term" or is told "you have 1 to find a new job". In cases where the University fails to give proper notice, the job is secure for 1 year from the time they actually get around to it. If you get a second 3-year appointment, a tenure decision is commonly made at the end of 6 years. A "yes" means that you have a "permanent" job. A "no" means that you typically get that 1 last year to find a new position. Smart people often interview for new jobs *while* the tenure decision is being made: if the University wants to offer tenure, outside offers come in handy in negotiations - if they don't, you can leave immediately to avoid the awkwardness of hanging around after you've been asked to leave.

But...that's for tenure-track jobs. Instructors who take 1-year appointments should assume *nothing*, and should be actively applying for new jobs (including extending the current job) as soon as they become uncomfortable about not knowing where they will be X months in the future. Some people need 2 weeks, some people need 6 months - it depends on the person, and on the job market.

The bottom line for students is: read the contract and don't assume *anything* about your future after the specified term of the contract. The job you are taking was vacated by someone who left (or was asked to leave)...and that will be the case for the person who takes over *your* job, too.

In general, a short term contract means that the University is not prepared to make a long term commitment. It's a "fee for service" type of position. For people they consider part of their long term future, there's tenure.

Note that the 1-year contract and the tenure system are both very different from the usual "industrial" job situations. But, they may be very similar to hiring practices at major orchestras. If the contract says "1 year, and then there will be a national search", then that's what you should assume it means - no matter how many well meaning people are saying "nudge, nudge, wink, wink".



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