catguy
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« on: December 09, 2009, 05:38:32 PM » |
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I'm a non-Catholic (I'm actually quite agnostic) interviewing at a Jesuit institution. I can happily subscribe to the school's mission statement (all about encouraging free inquiry and promoting social justice), but to what extent should I be prepared to field questions about my faith background or beliefs? Also, I have a same sex partner, and I'm a little concerned about how this would go over should I get the job, which in other respects I think is an excellent fit for me. Can those of you with experience at Jesuit institutions provide any insights?
Thanks.
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concordancia
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« Reply #1 on: December 09, 2009, 05:43:55 PM » |
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I think the same sex partner might be an issue at some institutions, but the places I interviewed were pretty lackadaisical. Like many Methodist institutions, it seems to have evolved into a very important part of their heritage as much as anything. My own beliefs never even came up, as long as I was cool with the fact that a precious few of my colleagues would be walking around with collars and I would be expected to attend some ceremonial masses.
For one class that I taught, the students didn't know that it had ever been against Church policy to be cremated. And here I had been so excited about teaching my heavily influenced by catholicism subject at a place where they would be familiar with some of the background.
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neutralname
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« Reply #2 on: December 09, 2009, 05:45:06 PM » |
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It depends a great deal on which Jesuit institution. For example, Georgetown is Jesuit, but it is liberal, and welcomes atheists and possibly even those of alternate sexual orientations. Other Jesuit places... not so much.
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secretweapon
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« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2009, 05:57:01 PM » |
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I really don't think you'll have any problems, Catguy - especially if you are not a theologian - provided you don't express hostility towards the idea of religion. Good luck! It depends a great deal on which Jesuit institution. For example, Georgetown is Jesuit, but it is liberal, and welcomes atheists and possibly even those of alternate sexual orientations. Other Jesuit places... not so much.
Definitely, not possibly. |
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corny
maizetastic
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« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2009, 06:04:52 PM » |
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I have had interviews at a Jesuit school and a non-Jesuit but Catholic school. In both interviews, I was asked some variation on "how do you see yourself fitting in with the Jesuit/Franciscan/whatever mission of our school?" This question was preceded in at least one case by a brief explanation by a SC member that the academic life of the college is kept distinct from its Catholic identity (there's a particular way they put this that I can't remember now). I think it's very rare for Catholic schools to ask for statements of faith, for example, as at some evangelical schools - part of the history of the way Catholic education has been understood. In any case, I was not asked about my own faith at all.
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dellaroux
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« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2009, 06:30:44 PM » |
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It depends a great deal on which Jesuit institution. For example, Georgetown is Jesuit, but it is liberal, and welcomes atheists and possibly even those of alternate sexual orientations. Other Jesuit places... not so much.
Possibly Boston College/Weston is more open as well. They definitely have non-Catholics as respected faculty, and they may in some areas be more interested in being more rigorous scholastically than confessionally. I'd ask a few folks in any professional organizations you're in (in addition to this one...) what their take is on the particular school. I don't know that you can make a blanket determination at all. |
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systeme_d_
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« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2009, 06:42:24 PM » |
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It does depend upon the institution. I am quite familiar with several Jesuit schools -- I worked at one, and have close colleagues at others.
Do feel free to PM me, Catguy, and if I can help, I will. My guess is that you should be just fine, and should certainly anticipate a question about your ability to subscribe to / support the mission of the school, but you will likely not be quizzed about your own theological position or your personal life.
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Systeme_D is right. <rah rah RESEARCH!> |
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greyscale
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« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2009, 06:52:48 PM » |
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Perhaps you can find out whether the college has websites for LBGT student or staff organizations (if not, it might be a bad sign). For instance, BC has a "Lesbian and Gay Faculty, Staff and Administrators Association" as well as resources for students. http://www.bc.edu/offices/lgfsaa/And Holy Cross (which I think of as less liberal than BC(?) - my knowledge of both is second-hand) does have a student LBGT organization with a website hosted on the school's server. |
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collegekidsmom
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« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2009, 06:54:12 PM » |
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There is also a misconception that Jesuit or other Catholic schools are mainly filled with Catholic students. Not the case at all-so I wouldn't expect students to know anything about the faith traditions necessarily. I know that BC students do a lot of service to the community, so there might be some questions about that.
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minira
Junior member
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« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2009, 09:39:37 PM » |
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It really depends. Some Jesuit institutions have better track records than others. Fordham's is pretty grim, for instance: the CW that I've heard is that they've been taken to court over a dozen times for things like refusing tenure to divorcees.
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oseph
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« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2009, 09:43:16 PM » |
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Most Jesuits are pretty chill.
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Oseph....you are right and you make sense.
For your future comments, I insult very directly.
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sibyl
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« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2009, 09:36:42 AM » |
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catguy
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Posts: 19
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« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2009, 09:55:14 AM » |
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Thanks for your help, all. I found the institution in question on a "gay friendly Catholic institutions" list, so I'm reassured.
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dellaroux
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« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2009, 10:38:38 AM » |
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Also, it doesn't need saying that you'd want to be in an area where there are lots of supportive groups and activities in the wider community as well.
Many campuses are islands of one kind of culture in the midst of other kinds of culture, and sometimes the boundaries are a bit fraught between the two....going beyond the more expected or "simple" town-gown issues.
In any case, congrats on the possibilities, and Best wishes!
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Pax in terra choreagibus
Ballo non bello parare
How am I?: There are four levels: Alive, Alert, Awake & Functioning. Right now, I'm standing upright & moving forward.
We are gifted superfluously--the cosmos is more generous than we can ask or imagine.
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michigander
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« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2009, 12:11:51 PM » |
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I've interviewed at a number of Catholic schools. I'm Jewish and gay with a domestic partner. It has never been an issue -- in fact, it never came up. At the two Jesuit schools, St. Louis and Detroit Mercy, it was a total non-issue. The one question that stumped me because it was my first time interviewing was at St. Louis where I was asked what I knew about Jesuit higher education. Be ready for that question which you can research relatively easily. At the other Catholic schools, it varied by order. I currently work as an adjunct at one where it has actually been an advantage to be gay because of the social mission of the founding order. Feel free to PM me for details.
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