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[abdgrad2007]

Hi everyone,

Last year I was lucky enough to land a VAP at a small university on the East coast. The contract was for only 8 months. I was told that with good Fall evaluations, I would likely be rehired for another year, but the decision ultimately rests with the administrative "higher-ups" who may or may not renew the line depending on a number of factors that were never explained to me.

It's early April and I've yet to hear word about my rehirement. Three weeks ago, I inquired through email to my chair who replied simply that my materials were submitted and that he's optimistic.

I received great Fall student evaluations. I have the support of two departmental chairs. Colleagues are optimistic.

But I still wonder what's taking so long. Does anyone have experience with this, from either side? Are these "higher-ups" waiting for freshmen enrollments before making a decision about contingent faculty members or what?

It is going to suck if for whatever reason I don't get rehired since I worked so hard, taught 6 general courses-- all different courses, mind you-- participated in two campus conferences, and performed a few other non-teaching duties. Plus, I really love it here!

Thanks for any imput or guidance.




 




   

[expatinuk]

Guidance? Well... first of all you've GOT to stop being ABD... get the freaking dissertation finished. The department that you LOVE is not invested in you. You're the LOW person and you will NOT know about employment from year to year until Freshman enrollments do happen.

That's not because they hate you... that's because you're a LOW item on the budget. You're not as low as an adjunct, but you ain't TT. They have to have all the TT folks working/teaching before they even look at you. After you get assigned THEN they go for the adjuncts.

If you're doing 6 preps a year and getting involved in department conferences AND doing OTHER duties... then just WHEN are you working on your Dissertation?

If you've actually FINISHED and DEFENDED then you need to be out looking for a TT and not worrying about a VAP unless you're bound by location. And if that's the case then you'll be worrying about employment every year about this time.

[buglet]

Congrats on getting a VAP before you are finished.  That says a lot of positive things about you.

But now, as expatinuk says, it is really important to take your summer and get that darn diss done, then while you (hopefully) have your VAP next year, get a chapter or two from the diss published as articles.

And with all respect to expatinuk, depending on your field (especially if it is English or history), don't be surprised if you will be a VAP for a number of years.  If that happens, use those VAP years to publish, publish, publish.  You'll then be in a much better position to get a TT position.

Good luck!

[expatinuk]

And with all respect to expatinuk, depending on your field (especially if it is English or history), don't be surprised if you will be a VAP for a number of years.  If that happens, use those VAP years to publish, publish, publish.  You'll then be in a much better position to get a TT position.

Oh, I know all that. But the OP can't get snuggled in at the school to the point she doesn't finish the Diss or work like crazy to publish AND work like crazy to find the tt.

A VAP is good for paying the bills... but it's not an appointment you can count on.

[abdgrad2007]

I should change my profile name!

I defended last summer in late June.  Actually received word that I had been hired on the day of my defense. My degree was conferred this past December.

I have been looking for TT positions. Of course, my chair says that this VAP stands a chance of becoming permanent in the future. Having read this fora, seems like that's what they all say! LOL.

[expatinuk]

I should change my profile name!

Yes... you've only posted 7 times, so you're not vested in that name. Let us know who you become!

[porcupine]

Never bank on the 'this VAP will become TT' claim. That one got me in my first year out - I accepted a temporary job in a nice location with great colleagues and lovely students, but the promised conversion to TT never appeared, for budget reasons.