algoa
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« on: July 07, 2007, 02:33:17 AM » |
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My provost asked me over the phone to fill in as interim chair of my 15 member multi-disciplinary department while the school re-opens a search for the chair. I asked her to give me the weekend to think about it. I’ve been teaching at this tiny school for 10 years while monitoring a mood disorder that requires me to avoid stimulation and stress. I was hospitalized briefly in 1991 and properly medicated since 1994. I’m in the closet about my medical status.
Currently I teach MWF afternoon classes during the year and have the responsibility of scheduling and advising and such for my humanities major. I stay up late, sleep late and do much work from home. I am having difficulty seeing myself going into the office five days a week for a 40+ hour week.
If the provost really needs me to do the job, I could do so with a super flex schedule that I realize is unrealistic for the department’s needs.
How do I turn her down when I call back on Monday with my answer? Should I ask to meet with her in person?
This is a dumb question and I apologize. The request from the Provost has thrown me
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expatinuk
Has spent over 1000 pounds but now holds a Brit passport!
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 6,564
From SC living in UK
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« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2007, 02:37:22 AM » |
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I would tell her that you have a medical condition that has successfully been controlled for 10 years, but that your doctor is concerned would flare up if you added the stress of Chairing a department. Thank her for the honor but politely decline.
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Expatinuk seems to be a Soviet Satellite in stationary orbit over the UK
It is what it is.
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larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 17,565
Eschew the hu.
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« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2007, 07:56:12 AM » |
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"Due to personal reasons I cannot take this position."
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oldchair
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« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2007, 07:31:18 PM » |
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If the provost really needs me to do the job, I could do so with a super flex schedule that I realize is unrealistic for the department’s needs.
Be careful! Don't let the provost talk you into this position. Being chair, especially of a multi-disciplinary department, is time-consuming and stressful. It sounds like you have organized your life in a way that is fulfilling and productive. You need to be proud of what you've done and protective of what you've achieved. Please don't take a position that's not right for you. Larryc has told you everything you need to say to the provost. Best of luck. |
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I've never cared for jokes in which animals speak.
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history_chair
New member
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« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2007, 07:40:43 AM » |
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I agree with the other postings. Say "Thank you for thinking of me. My personal situation won't allow me to give the kind of commitment the position requires." If she tries to pressure you, be upfront but nonspecific about your health situation.
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tolerantly
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« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2007, 08:20:14 AM » |
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Actually I'd avoid any mention of a health condition. I'd go with larryc and history_chair's idea about "personal reasons". Let the chair believe you're taking care of someone else, if necessary, and allude to having "responsibilities" if necessary. Meet any other questions with "I'm sorry, it's a private matter," or "Well, they are just responsibilities I have." The chair is not entitled to know what they are.
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oldchair
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« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2007, 09:28:57 AM » |
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Actually I'd avoid any mention of a health condition. I'd go with larryc and history_chair's idea about "personal reasons". Let the chair believe you're taking care of someone else, if necessary, and allude to having "responsibilities" if necessary. Meet any other questions with "I'm sorry, it's a private matter," or "Well, they are just responsibilities I have." The chair is not entitled to know what they are.
Exactly. |
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I've never cared for jokes in which animals speak.
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drangie
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« Reply #7 on: July 19, 2007, 05:14:37 PM » |
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Actually I'd avoid any mention of a health condition. I'd go with larryc and history_chair's idea about "personal reasons". Let the chair believe you're taking care of someone else, if necessary, and allude to having "responsibilities" if necessary. Meet any other questions with "I'm sorry, it's a private matter," or "Well, they are just responsibilities I have." The chair is not entitled to know what they are.
I agree, as well.
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Please learn the difference between "it's" and "its." I'm sorry, but "it's" is not a possessive!
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daniel_von_flanagan
<redacted>
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 8,978
Works all day. Posts all night. Needs sleep.
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« Reply #8 on: July 19, 2007, 06:05:18 PM » |
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If you must bring up the medical condition, do not say that you have had it for 10 years. Just say that you are having some medical issues, period. - DvF
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The U.S. Education Department is establishing a new national research center to study colleges' ability to successfully educate the country's growing numbers of academically underprepared administrators.
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drangie
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« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2007, 11:22:09 AM » |
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So, algoa, what happened? How did the conversation with the dean go?
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Please learn the difference between "it's" and "its." I'm sorry, but "it's" is not a possessive!
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algoa
New member
Posts: 31
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« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2007, 01:25:53 PM » |
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Thanks for your input. I told her that the job was not right for me at this time. She accepted that. Then I showed her charts of the reorganization that we were promised three years ago and that would drastically reduce the size of the department and the need for that position. Last, I recommended a colleague for leader of the smaller new dept. She is apparently having to deal with her higher ups and thus has not moved to break apart the department.
My colleagues are disappointed that I turned down the job. They fear the unknown new person. Having watched from my current pseudo-admin position how that school eats its admin, I fear the known.
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