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[poppeasabina]

Dear wise Forumites,

I am facing a worst-possible-scenario here. Today, I got word that one of my outside readers is making a stink about a chapter in my diss and is going to block my defense this semester. This is a total shock and I am flabbergasted.

The trouble is this: I am a finalist for a TT and going there next week for an on-campus. This campus happens to be very far from my house and has cost me (and the university, through reimbursement) a lot of money to arrange. All of the application materials I sent, including letters from this very reader, assured this University that I would graduate this Spring.

So, the question is this: do I inform the SC about this now? I believe that I can get a refund on my ticket (I have not yet fully looked into it) if I cancel soon. Or, do I go through the campus interview? If you think the latter is better, do I tell them about this while on campus? Or, afterward?

Majorly distressed,
PoppeaSabina

[mended_drum]

No, don't tell them now.  If you don't get offered the job, there will be no point.  If you are offered the job, check the way things are worded to see what happens if you don't have degree in hand in the fall.  For many jobs, that would mean that you would start at a lower salary as a full-time lecturer, and, probably, not on the tt, but completion of the degree would convert your position to a tt position.

However, some jobs will require you to have the degree, period.  You may find out which you're dealing with at the campus interview, but you'll certainly know before you sign a contract.  If people heavily emphasize the need to defend before fall, then you'll know what the likely scenario is. 

Meanwhile, you need to appeal to your adviser.  Mine would have moved heaven and earth, including getting me a new outside reader, to make sure I could defend on time.  Find out what your options are as well as what the reader thinks is the problem with your chapter.  You probably have four or five months to rectify the situation; do whatever you can to get it done.

[glowdart]

Do not mention this at all.

You are operating on news about a hypothetical future situation that may or may not happen.  Even if this person is making a stink, the rest of your committee could override the faculty member, you could appease them by altering the chapter, etc.  

Try not to let the unnerving news disrupt your interview at all.  

(and good luck!)

[johnr]

I wouldn't burn any bridges at this point, especially since you haven't actually crossed any bridges yet.  Any search committee that interviews an ABD candidate knows that there is some risk that the dissertation might not actually be finished when the applicant thinks it's going to be finished. It doesn't have to be a huge crisis. Take a deep breath and go to the interview.  

Before you even think about telling the search committee anything, find out EXACTLY what the issue is with the outside reader.  What effect will it have on your completion date?  Will things be delayed by a few weeks, or do you have to start over?  If it looks like that you can realistically defend in the summer, I wouldn't even mention it.

 

[prof_smartypants]

Also, even if your defense IS blocked, fix the issues and defend in the summer. Most jobs require that you have the PhD in hand when you START the job, not when you sign the contract.

Good luck!

[poppeasabina]

Sadly, there is really no way around the defend-this-semester issue. Because of my current employment situation, I don't have loads of time to work on the diss (the very problem, of course). So, my advisor cannot save me; but, I can work my best to get the thing done by the end of summer.

I appreciate all of your input. I will do as you suggest and go forward with the interview, dreading the whole time any questions about the diss or defense.

[prephd]

Just say, "I'm scheduled to defend on April 17" (or whenever). Then defend. If someone blocks you because of one chapter, cross that bridge when you come to it.

[systeme_d_]

Just say, "I'm scheduled to defend on April 17" (or whenever). Then defend. If someone blocks you because of one chapter, cross that bridge when you come to it.

I agree. 

[msparticularity]

Just say, "I'm scheduled to defend on April 17" (or whenever). Then defend. If someone blocks you because of one chapter, cross that bridge when you come to it.

I agree. 

Yup. Depending upon the procedures at your school, the rest of the committee may actually be able to override this individual anyway. Alternatively, they may arrive as a group at revisions that are significantly less onerous than what is looming right now.

[poppeasabina]

I really, really wish I could do as you suggest. But, so "important" is this member in my field at-large that my committee chair has already suspended the defense.  We are working together to try to find a light at the end of this tunnel but I am sure that that tunnel stretches at least into the late summer.

During the interview, I will try to avoid the topic of my defense (which already was addressed at the conference interview back when I thought it was true) as much as possible. If they push me, I will admit that it might be the summer before it is complete. Does that sound like a good way around it?

Meanwhile, I will try to light a fire under my brain/ass.

[poppeasabina]

Of course, I will start with figuring out how to turn off the bold type face. You all do not need me yelling at you via font.

[systeme_d_]

I can't imagine that someone wouldn't ask you for a defense date during an on-campus interview.

If you must, just say that you're revising a chapter, and it will be submitted by late summer.

You absolutely must phrase this positively.  You are not allowed to say the words "maybe" or "problem" or "but" or conditionals like "might" or "could."  No negative words or hedging allowed!

[montrealer]

By 'outside reader' do you mean the external examiner? Can another one be found? Or is it some member of the committee brought in at the last minute?

What is their problem with the chapter?

[arizona]

If this happened at my grad institution, I'm pretty sure the in-house faculty would move heaven and earth to make sure that the candidate defended--not for the interview, probably, but certainly if you were offered the position (I'm assuming your advisor and the other in-house faculty members on your committee did not object so strongly to the chapter). It is in your institution's best interest to make sure their grad students get TT jobs. I'd wait to see if you get the offer and start negotiations from there.

[losemygrip]

You committee chair suspended your defense?  Are you kidding me?  Because of an egotistical power play by one reader?  This is ridiculous.  I hate to tell you, but your committee chair is pathetic.  It's moments like these that the advisor needs to step in and take charge.  Even if one chapter needs some changes, that's no reason to cancel the defense.  You can continue working on it, and if the revised chapter isn't done by the defense, use the defense to talk about how you're addressing Professor A**hole's concerns.  It's totally counterproductive for a department to sabotage a student's career in this way--I mean, you're going to be their representative out in the profession.

Absolutely absurd.  You have my deepest sympathy for being in a department of wusses and bozos.