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[monkeywoman]

Really great thread. So nice that to hear from others who are starting full-time positions in the Fall/Autumn (my new Brit. awareness), and that we are thankful, and not arrogant, about having made it through this horrible, horrible year.

On the UK note: thanks for the bolster, Porcupine. The teaching sounds doable from my understanding, so I'll just take a big breath. Are you relocating to the US or is your job in the UK? And Tyroscholar, we'll have to share tips about shipping/shippers; I have not yet been that organized. Yes, and I am sorry to leave just when Obama has been voted in. Would have been so much more effective if I'd make my exit during the Bush W. years.!

Congrats to all!

[lurkergirl]

I'm also doing a UK to US move (back to the US) but have relatively little in the UK worth keeping, which makes it easier. I still haven't figured out what companies are most reliable/reasonably priced/etc. Or even when exactly to make the big move! I also have the question mark of my SO, who has an interview in town I will be living but if it doesn't work then we will be looking at some time apart.

I am already pretty celebratory (and yes, I feel so fortunate that the stars aligned for me) but until I get something in writing it is hard to 100% celebrate. It does comfort me to see my new courses on their website, though.

I am trying to figure out whether to collect data like mad so I have something to write about in the fall while the lab is setup or try to make a clear ending to my current work so I can start completely fresh.

[porcupine]

Really great thread. So nice that to hear from others who are starting full-time positions in the Fall/Autumn (my new Brit. awareness), and that we are thankful, and not arrogant, about having made it through this horrible, horrible year.

On the UK note: thanks for the bolster, Porcupine. The teaching sounds doable from my understanding, so I'll just take a big breath. Are you relocating to the US or is your job in the UK? And Tyroscholar, we'll have to share tips about shipping/shippers; I have not yet been that organized. Yes, and I am sorry to leave just when Obama has been voted in. Would have been so much more effective if I'd make my exit during the Bush W. years.!

Congrats to all!

I completely agree it's been a horrible year this year, and that it's nice we are happy to be going whither we are bound. I know we will all start moaning about various niggles in a few months, when we get tired and stressed, but I shall try very hard to keep in mind how lucky I have been to get any job at all, and to try to remember how happy and excited about my position I feel now.

My job is in the US, and I am here already in a fixed-term position. I am currently at an East Coast public university - I'll be relocating to a public university in the Midwest, which seems very exotic to me - I've only ever seen the Midwest in movies, apart from when I went for my interview.

I do have to ship my more sizeable belongings over, though, as well as finding somewhere to live, and I have visas to arrange for myself and Mr. P. Plus, to make matters worse, I need to renew my UK passport, which means I am likely to need to go to the UK over the summer as well to get the visa sticker from the US Consulate, so I can travel to a conference next semester.

For some reason, writing that made my summer seem a lot shorter...

[tamiam]

Hi all

Count me in to this crowd.

Should we have a special support thread for the "holy crap, I have to finish this thing for real now" TT-bound dissertators? I can't seem to settle down and do what I need to do, even though it needs to be done and defended by the end of July. Ahg!!!

I'll be at a 4/4 small college about 20 miles from where I currently reside, which is absolutely perfect for me and where my life is at the moment. They want some professional activity/research, and don't care what I do over the summer or winter breaks. 5 year tenure clock. I'm very happy about the job.

[t_track]

How many of you have "new faculty orientation" scheduled already?  When are you expected to be on campus vs. when do actual classes start?  I don't have the details worked out yet, and it's my "thing of the day" to stress about as summer conference announcements are starting to appear.

[tanit]

t_track,

Your post made me smile.  I'm neck-deep in my two-body reality -- no longer a "problem", really, as we know what's going to happen: long bouts of separation for most of next year -- which means that I can only accomplish a few things each day (seeing as Feeling Sorry for Self is the major daily accomplishment). 

Anywho, yes, orientation is scheduled: August 10th.  Then a week off, then the clowns come back to the circus.

Good luck today!

[hopefulbutuntenured]

How many of you have "new faculty orientation" scheduled already?  When are you expected to be on campus vs. when do actual classes start?  I don't have the details worked out yet, and it's my "thing of the day" to stress about as summer conference announcements are starting to appear.

I have to be on campus by mid-August, but I'm hoping some enterprising soon-to-be colleague will forward all the preliminary materials so I can begin planning my courses, reading novels, etc.

Speaking of which: is it common practice to request such materials? Will I be seen as a "keener" for requesting such?

[tanit]

hopeful,

I asked for and received syllabi and desk copies of textbooks from my chair.  I can't see why this would offend. 

T

[lurkergirl]

Mine is late August, and my official first day that I am paid for is mid-August though it is unclear to me whether I am meant to turn up then.

I know what courses I will be teaching and plan to ask other faculty for some info. One class is team taught and that planning will begin soon. I also have to submit my book requests by the end of May so I guess that legitimates asking lots of questions.

[hopefulbutuntenured]

Thanks tanit and lurker, I do feel more confident about contacting my new chair to ask about syllabi, etc. I'm still not used to thinking like a colleague after so many years as a grad student/lowly adjunct. Sometimes I forget that I no longer need to crawl!

[drbeeper]

Am I in the 2009 cohort if I started in Feb? I made the move from the US to the UK so tenure is a little different. I was hired as a result of the university getting a large external grant. It provides me with 3 years of startup support and a 3 year release from teaching, after that it is 3 contact horus a week. It is really crazy to be a lecturer and not have to lecture. I am very happy to trade the teaching for the extra service required to help getting a research center up and running.

[monkeywoman]

Congratulations, Dr. Beeper! I'm so envious. 3 hours of teaching and 3 years of release from teaching. I'm feeling a bit like a loser now for not negotiating a better teaching load, but don't want to go down that road....yet.

[t_track]

Well, I emailed my new department chair two days ago asking about Faculty Orientation and let hu know there was a specific conference I wanted to attend the first week after my official contract started.  I also asked about using my travel funds for said conference.  Dead silence.  Not even a, "I'm not sure, I'll let you know as soon as I find out" kinda email.  Finals start today so I'm sure they are busy, but I've got the conference organizers holding a spot for me until I know. How long should I wait before I send a follow-up email?

[t_track]

Nevermind.  Literally 5 minutes after I posted this hu responded. 

[tanit]

Good, t_track!

I, too, have to miss classes my first semester for a conference.  At least one day, maybe two.  In my past appointments, no one knew or cared.  Now I'm not sure whether I should bring it up ("just so you know . . .") or go about my business.  Thoughts?