Notes from the Tenure Track: Part I

Having recently undergone my first tenure and promotion review as an assistant professor, I find myself full of thoughts and some ideas which may be beneficial to those starting a tenure track position. First, some background.

I graduated with a Ph.D. in microbiology and Immunology in 2001 and faced a choice of how to proceed career-wise. I knew that my main focus would be teaching, so I chose against a post-doc and looked for positions at smaller schools with a more teaching focus. I applied at many schools and ended up at St. Xavier University in Chicago. The ad asked for qualified assistant professor with teaching experience in microbiology and/or immunology and a desire to start a small undergraduate research program. Sounded perfect, so I accepted an offer and moved to Chicago.

During the interview, both the Biology Department chair and the VP for Academic Affairs touted the Universities desire to increase its research program and get more students involved, but also seemed realistic as to the lack of resources to do this. The school was (and still is) extremely behind in science support and had very little grant experience. I could not get a well defined statement as to tenure standards so I operated on the information I had been given verbally. This leads to my first piece of advice:

Advice #1: Be sure to get a written statement of tenure/promotion standards as well as clearly defined (in writing) criteria on how you will be evaluated.

Stay tuned for more advice with a little bit of my story coming soon.

Opie, Andy and the Fonz for Obama!

If you haven't seen it yet, here is a great video endorsing Obama for President.

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Cost of Living

We are finally starting to see the lower cost of living here in Decatur. Coming from Chicago in Late August with gas prices at $4.25, we are now getting gas here for $2.49/gallon. So besides trying to pay for an out-of-state move and a delay in getting my prior experience approved for my contract, we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Milk is still expensive and food prices not much lower, but housing cost is significantly lower.

Ashley's First Report Card

All A's for our little 1st grader! We are quite proud of the little academic superstar.

New Pet??

It seems like the jones family pet collection keeps growing every day. Take a look at this beauty that Cathy found in the driveway the other night. She says it was over a foot long. Looks like is is well fed anyway. I think we will call it George.

Football Luck or Coincidence??

I do not know if you following football at all, but it seems since we moved to Northern Alabama, the close football teams are doing really well. The Univ. of Alabama is #2 in all polls, Tennessee Titans are undefeated and look at what the Atlanta Falcons have been doing especially the improbable win against the Chicago Bears yesterday. 

So are the Joneses lucky, you decide.

jcj

Ashley 1st boyfriend??

Ashley came home from school the other day complaining that a boy wanted to play with her at recess. No big deal, right? Well it turns out he told the girl Ashley was playing with that she could not play with Ashley because he wanted to! He taught her how to throw a football, imagine that.

Luckily, she was complaining about it so I still have a few years before I have to be really worried.

Stay tuned...