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[engineer_adrift]

So I am a finalist for engineering dean at a state university that appeals to me.  Trouble is that it is a public school, and their salaries are all available on line.   A search reveals that I currently make more than the provost at the new place, and only about 5k less than the president.  Other deans at this school make about $60k less than what I am making now.  Cost of living is cheaper at this school, but come on.  

They advertised "competitive salaries".

But that is not my question, because I think I know how this turns out.  

My question is, what packages are usually offered deans with respect to relocation costs?  Do they cover house sale costs / house purchase costs?  My current employer paid 10% of the sale price of my last house and 5% of the price of the new house plus paying for the physical move.

Am I incredibly well treated and crazy to even think about greener pastures, or is this the norm.

Best
E_A

[sinatra]

Yep. You're incredibly well treated. We have lost more star applicants in my university because we (a) can't meet salary needs; (b) can't offer the latest whatchamacallitthingy in our labs; (c) have internal grants in the three-digit range; and (d) are located in an area where a traffic jam is four cars behind a tractor. Paying for housing costs isn't even on our radar screen. Having said that, a friend of mine interviewed at an R1 a few years back and was offered a very high base salary, almost $20k in indirect costs, immediate vestment, and preferential rates on a few downtown lofts. So, if special treatment and good salary is what you are after, you'll need to fish in a bigger pond. The one you caught I'd let go, unless there's some caviar with it (e.g., closer to kids/grandkids/elderly parents, etc.).

[engineer_adrift]

Sinatra (May I call you Frank? Or is it Nancy? :)  )

Thanks

I'm not after "special treatment", but I am trying to understand the market. 

Best
E_A

[kedves]

I don't know the answer to your question, but have you compared this place to others of similar size, location, and reputation?

[sibyl]

The perks vary substantially from institution to institution, and publics usually have well-defined rules about this.

Most deans I know have had their actual move costs covered, but not home sale/resale expenses.  Many deans I know have been given airline tickets, meal money, and hotel nights to visit the town and shop for a house.  Some deans I know have been provided with housing, though that carries some hidden costs that other deans choose to decline.

[profxfiles]

Sorry--a quick question for clarification: are you already a dean/administrator?

[engineer_adrift]

I'm an engineering chair.  Average about $2M/yr in research grants as PI, too.  The grants are portable.

[engineer_adrift]

Update.  Had a great interview and campus visit, except the final exit talk with the Provost when I mentioned the salary discrepancy.  That immediately knocked me from leading contender to out of the running.  Bad timing on my part.  Live and learn.  If I wanted to mention it, I should have waited until they had made an offer. 

I think this point has been made on these boards before, but I just wanted to provide another supporting data point. 

Waiting for a couple more interviews.

Best
E_A

[systeme_d_]

Thanks for the update, EA.  It's nice to see you check in on the fora, even in the midst of what is surely a very, very hectic time.

Sending good vibes your way for a string of successes!

[neil9]

You told the Provost that you are currently having a higher salary than he/she has? No wonder you are out of running! Haha!

Update.  Had a great interview and campus visit, except the final exit talk with the Provost when I mentioned the salary discrepancy.  That immediately knocked me from leading contender to out of the running.  Bad timing on my part.  Live and learn.  If I wanted to mention it, I should have waited until they had made an offer. 

I think this point has been made on these boards before, but I just wanted to provide another supporting data point. 

Waiting for a couple more interviews.

Best
E_A

[ucprof]

I think you did the right thing.  There is no reason to waste your time or their time if both sides have a different idea about what they can afford/will take.  You gain nothing (other than experience I guess) by going through the process and not getting an attractive offer. 

[obprof]

I also think that you did the right thing by being truthful. You just saved them and you a lot of headaches; they can move more quickly to the next suitable candidate, and they now have important information about how they will stack up in the market, while you can move on to the next interview. Good luck!

[offthemarket]

Wow, a person being sought to fill the Dean's seat volunteers to mention salary before an offer?

It might not be the salary that knocked you out of the running, but the candor.

[eddean]

I am not sure the mention of salary is odd at that stage.  I have been asked about salary before being given a telephone interview for a dean's position. They did not want to waste time if they could not afford my salary.

[stickball]

Ditto.  I always ask salary range prior to filling out the app.  Why fill out all the papers, forms, online apps and all that other nonsense if you already know they can't/won't pay you what you need.  Saves everyone time and angst.  My time is just as important to me as their time is to them.