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[minidonut]

A few months ago I was contacted by someone organizing a panel for the national conference of one of my sub-disciplines, asking if I would be interested in being part of said panel.  I said I would, and the panel submission was ultimately accepted for the upcoming conference.

Since having agreed to be part of the panel, however, I've taken a full-time, TT position at a VERY teaching-focused CC, with a 5/5 teaching load.  I am seriously considering withdrawing from the conference (which will not take place for another 2.5 months), because of several reasons.

First, attending this conference would mean trying to find someone to cover for 7 class meetings, as the college does not allow us to cancel classes for conference attendance.  Second, attending would also mean my having to miss a required seminar for all new faculty, one which they have continually stressed is "absolutely mandatory."  Third, I have very little institutional support for conference attendance and, owing to the fact that the conference site is far, far away, in an expensive city, I'm likely to be paying at least a grand out of my own pocket.  Finally, because I'm trying to juggle a heavy teaching load with finishing a book, and being ruthless with my free time, I'm already taking on the bare minimum of committee work that I can get away with at the college - and I'm afraid taking off this extra time, in this context, might be viewed negatively.

The plusses of going, of course, are getting another line on the resume, and networking with colleagues (albeit in a sub-discipline, not my major area), and as I'm still on the job market this year, that couldn't hurt.  I also don't want to anger ayone on the panel, or have word get around that I backed out for no good reason.

Any input would be appreciated, and thanks.

[crowie]

If it were me I'd pull out, citing your new teaching load and inability to cancel seven classes as a reason.

And I'd use the energy I might have put into the conference paper and networking to squeeze out a few more pages of that book you are working on.

[systeme_d_]

If someone on a panel I was chairing pulled out, citing the responsibilities of a new job, I would absolutely not hold any ill will.

It's the right decision, Minidonut.  People pull out of panels all the time, for far less compelling reasons.

[notaprof]

Can you suggest someone to take your place on the panel (after checking with that person first, of course)?  I can't see anyone objecting if you haven't made their life more difficult.  Even if you can't suggest someone, it is still a common occurrence as others have said and you are giving them adequate notice so they should be understanding.

[minidonut]

Thanks, everyone.  Yes, it does seem I should withdraw, and it's good to hear that no one thinks this will be viewed negatively.

But it's depressing. This particular sub-discipline of mine is one of my favorites, and the panel itself is going to be on a topic I love (and about which I'm one of the few people writing) - and to have to miss this because of my current position (in a CC with a crazy teaching load, where research is not valued at all) makes me pretty unhappy.  But objectively speaking - both in terms of being a "good employee," and being fiscally responsible - it doesn't seem to make much sense to attend.

[msparticularity]

Minidonut, given that this is an organized panel (as opposed to just a group of individual papers lumped together by a program chair), I wonder whether your paper could be presented by someone else, in your absence? Do you have a friend who is going to be attending the conference, and who might be willing/able to step in and read your paper? (And yes, I have seen this happen from time to time in my field. Most recently, a grad student presented a prof's paper due to some kind of a family medical emergency.)

[jackit]

Sorry: now I see it's a CC, so the following may be way of base.

OK, let me take the opposite view:  any accommodations you make (missing classes and useless orientation seminar) can be blamed on your need to show academic progress as part of being on the tenure track.  As such, they are likely to be respected, or at least respectable, by your Chair. Moreover, isn't this exactly the sort of activity you need to take part in?  Or does your institution only pay lip service to scholarly work?

Wouldn't you like a break from your 5/5 load?  (OK, low blow.)

I don't see any downside (except for the cost).  They hired you on the tenure track; off you go.

OTOH, as others point out, this does provide an excuse.  But is pulling out really in the best interests of your career?

Your Chair may provide a useful opinion, if you continue to feel conflicted.  Is attendance at conferences really frowned upon during the semester?

Whatever, you do:  good luck!

[pink_]

I was also going to suggest sending the paper and asking the moderator to read it in your absence.  That's happened at conferences I have attended.  I've also been to ones where there were only 2 papers b/c the 3rd person couldn't make it. Either way, it would be okay.  Just be sure to tell the person who put the panel together so they know what's going on.

[jackit]

<user malfunction>

[seniorscholar]

Echo all the others who have said "there will be no ill will" -- as panel chair who had (as in your case) organized a panel for a conference, I quickly located a grad student who had once e-mailed me with questions on the topic (but had not submitted a paper; it was invitation only) and invited that person to read the paper which had been faxed to the hotel. Paper was read well; happy grad student for the exposure. In other cases, I've read papers for missing people on panels I did not chair. Of course as much notice as possible to the panel chair is appreciated.

Condolences on not being able to be there yourself. It would be ok, though, to send a pdf with your paper to the other people on the panel and ask for a copy of theirs, making at least a little networking possible.

And you can still list the paper on your c.v. as "presented at XYZ conference" even if you didn't present it in person!

[minidonut]

Thanks, everyone, for the input.  Going to the conferencde really doesn't seem possible, so I will either a) contact the chair and let her/him know the situation ASAP, and possibly b) inquire about the possibility of someone on the panel reading my presentation.

It's a bummer, but I'll live.

Thanks again.

[msparticularity]

Now that we've said all of this and you've got a back-up plan, though, I do think you might mention it to your department chair before you make the final decision. I mean, rules and rules and all that, but it's possible s/he might actually want for you to attend and could smooth the way for you. Or not, of course. Still, nothing would be lost through your mentioning it, because you're already acting like a team player and have figured out how to not go.