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[brunhilde]

Whose responsibility is it to keep me on time during the campus visit? I have a tight schedule and lots of meetings. On the one hand, I don't want to be looking at my watch while talking with someone. On the other hand, I don't want to make the next person mad by being late, especially since some meetings are only 30 minutes. On my campus, the only clocks in most offices are on computer monitors, so there is not really a way to discretely keep track of time.

[aandsdean]

If you're the candidate, it's not your problem, it's the committee members'/chair's.  If things get really out of whack, you should say something, but otherwise it's quite likely that the committee will be aware of the temporal miscreants and won't blame the candidates.

However, don't make meetings go too long by rambling disquisition.

If you're the candidate, DO NOT look at your watch. 

However, you should have a copy of your schedule readily available (if you're given one), as I promise you, at some point someone who's interviewing you will need to consult your copy to see when and where your next meeting will occur.

Good luck!

[adhoc]

I'd say it is shared responsibility.  It is the primary responsibility of the interviewers but if things are running long, I would suggest that the interviewee politely point out that s/he is supposed to meet so-and-so in two minutes, or whatever.

As for discreetly checking the time, a "trick" I use is to look at the other person's watch.  Of course this only works if you can see their watch without being obvious about it but that turns out to be more often one might think.

[untenured]

Assuming no unusual conduct, I'd say most of the responsibility lies with the search committee.  You could mention that it may be time to meet with then next person as you would not want to be inconsiderate to them.  That would show the SCM you are polite and considerate of others.  If you arrive late, explain why to the next SCM without sounding as if you are blaming.  Then put it aside.

The best thing to do is go with the flow.  SCMs have their own programs and sometimes schedules have a hidden agenda all their own.

Good luck,

Untenured

[helpful]

On our interviews there is always one member of a SC accompanying you to your meeting and either staying there (eg. if it is a meeting with the Dean the chair would be sitting there too) or coming to pick you up in plentyof time to make the next appointment.

The important thing for you to be aware of is to insist on a time to go to the washroom to freshen up before especially your job talk and formal interview. And insist that you go alone so it can be alone time.

if you are lucky, the SC will direct you to an empty room where you can relax if there is any extra time available.

[prof_mom]

It is not your responsibility at all.

If you are late to a meeting, everyone will blame the person escorting you.  Do not look at your watch, or worry about it. Interviews run late all the time.

I agree that you should keep a copy of your schedule with you at all times because people will forget and schedules will change. Some faculty will have  outdated versions of the schedule.

Oh, and do not assume the sc members will remember what is on your CV. You might consider having a few extra copies to hand to them during the meeting. People lose things  all the time.

Good luck!

[dismal_sci]

I agree that you should keep a copy of your schedule with you.

On my worst on-campus interview, I was taken out to lunch by two senior faculty members.  I left my schedule in my briefcase in the chair's office.  I knew my talk was sometime in the afternoon.  I had combined this trip with another interview, and it was a hectic time.  The lunch seemed to take a long time - we drove for quite a while to the restaurant, then my companions ordered coffee and dessert.  At one point, one asked the other what time we needed to be back, but neither of them knew. 

We go back and the chair starts shrieking at us that I was 40 minutes late to my job talk.  It was a joint appointment, so there were people waiting from two departments. 

I think the job candidate should not just assume that everyone else knows the schedule. 
(For those wondering, I did not get the offer. While I did dwell on my not knowing the schedule for about a decade, I am over it now!) 

[rugger1869]

I was a Secretary for a medical demartment at a major R1 University. When we were doing interviewsm I usually had to go to offices and move the candidate along. This seems to be SOP among most fields from what I understand.

[helpful]

SOP?

[nerd_girl]

sop=standard operation procedure

[nerd_girl]

Sorry--not enough coffee yet this morning.

I meant "standard operating procedure"

[rugger1869]

Sorry--not enough coffee yet this morning.

I meant "standard operating procedure"

That's ok. I apparently worked for a medical "demartment". Whatever that is... :)  I need to engage my brain before shifting into drive.

[nailman]

On my worst on-campus interview, I was taken out to lunch by two senior faculty members.  I left my schedule in my briefcase in the chair's office.  I knew my talk was sometime in the afternoon.  I had combined this trip with another interview, and it was a hectic time.  The lunch seemed to take a long time - we drove for quite a while to the restaurant, then my companions ordered coffee and dessert.  At one point, one asked the other what time we needed to be back, but neither of them knew. 

Oh, that is classic! I'll have to remember that one... And remember my schedule.

It can't compete, but on a recent interview, the faculty member I was to eat lunch with missed his train. He was to take me to the faculty club for lunch to impress me; instead, we ate in the cafeteria.