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[systeme_d_]

Today I received an email asking me to apply for a job at ASU.  I assume many, many folks in my field received the same email.

I know that ASU was hard hit by serious budget cuts these past few months, but this gig (and two other new jobs in other related fields at ASU, which the email mentioned) seems to reflect a commitment on the part of the admin to a certain area of study within the humanities.

So, respected forumites, do you have any insights as to ASU's current situation? 

My current university is dealing with some serious financial challenges by taking it out on the hide of the humanities.  Would I be going from the frying pan into the fire here?

[shamu]

FYI:
http://president.asu.edu/node/602
http://president.asu.edu/node/697
http://president.asu.edu/node/698

If you bring in significant research funding with overhead, it will be appreciated ... as it would be elsewhere.

[systeme_d_]

Well, at least ASU's President is yelling.

Ours appears to be enjoying the show.

Thank you, Shamu.

[shamu]

You're welcome. If you can bring in major grants with large overhead, you should be in good shape there.

[systeme_d_]

Major grants with large overhead in the humanities?  Not our usual standard operating procedure, I must say.  Although I do happen to have some plans, I can't guarantee they'll pan out.

[renee]

If you're referring to the area of study I think you are, then ASU lost at least 2 people from that area of study last year. From what the grapevine told me, both were more concerned about ASU's restructuring and reorganizing of traditional humanities departments then about money per se. Nevertheless, the new grouping of jobs suggests some investment/commitment at least in a focused area of study.

[systeme_d_]

I'm referring to NA stuff, Renee.  And they're "restructuring" at my place too.  It's sounding more like from fire to fire, hoping for a frying pan!

[grasshopper]

I think ASU is working very hard to position itself as THE place to do Native American/Southwest religious traditions. If that's part of their dominant identity, then they probably wouldn't want to cut any of those lines, right?

[renee]

I'm referring to NA stuff, Renee.  And they're "restructuring" at my place too.  It's sounding more like from fire to fire, hoping for a frying pan!

I think ASU is working very hard to position itself as THE place to do Native American/Southwest religious traditions. If that's part of their dominant identity, then they probably wouldn't want to cut any of those lines, right?

My sense is that part of lumping Philosophy, History, and Religion together (a move that concerned some) means they have to find focus beyond the discipline itself, and the commitment to NA/SW/Borderlands Religious Studies is part of that. I would hope that means the money is solid, but I would investigate what it means in practice vis a vis course allocations, students, service, tenure review, etc...

[systeme_d_]

Excellent advice, Renee.  Thank you.