September 17, 2004

When, Where, and Why to Schmooze

To the Editor:

Pat Phelps was right on target in emphasizing the importance of schmoozing for junior faculty members ("Collegiality Lessons," Chronicle Careers, July 30). ...

Whenever individuals evaluate others, they use internal filters to organize, understand, and remember different pieces of information about the person being evaluated. The filters that tenure reviewers utilize are heavily influenced by the schmoozing the junior professor has done. ... Tenure reviewers who