next »

[postmodern]

I have not posted on these fora in a long time, but could use some advice.  

I've held an administrative position for a few years, along with my regular obligations as a professor, and accepted the position because the alternatives at the time were worse. I apply for tenure soon, and feel secure in it being granted. My colleagues generally like me, my superiors think I do my job well, and I am active in my field.

However, because of professional and life circumstances, I do not wish to continue in the administrative portion of my position. Actually, I am not sure I am even able to devote the time and attention that this position requires anymore. The position does not benefit me very much (monetarily, professionally, etc.) It would be accurate to say it has affected me negatively. Basically, it is close to being voluntary, and I am not interested or able to volunteer anymore.

I'll find out the result of my tenure application at the end of the academic year. Should I wait to notify my superior that I would like to step down from this administrative post before or after I find out? If before, I worry that might put me in a precarious situation, though this is not formally considered for tenure. If after, it would not leave much time to find, train, etc. a replacement. I do not wish to hurt the institution or myself.

I'd welcome any advice.

[oatmeal]

OP--The safe move is to continue with the position until you receive your tenure (and promotion?) letter from the university. Are you up for a sabbatical next year? If you are, this would be the time to step down from that position. Stepping down now might send the wrong message (especially as a new academic year is about to begin). Even with a strong tenure case, the safe option is to stay on. Of course, there might be other reasons to step down.

[simplesimon]

After.

[postmodern]

Thanks, Simplesimon and Oatmeal. It would be negative for the institution for me to wait until after tenure, but better for my own interests. It is altruism that got me into this situation in the first place.

[anthroid]

Wait until you have the tenure letter from the president in your hands before you resign, and then resign giving them a month's notice.  You are under no obligation to work for free.

[postmodern]

Anthroid, I don't have a 12 month contract so if I wait until after tenure, it would be an immediate resignation. I am concerned this will not be viewed favorably, even though I'll be tenured. I'm not sure I have another option though. What do you think? (Thank you, by the way, for your previous thoughts too.)

[oatmeal]

OP--I assume from your responses that you are not going on sabbatical straight away? If you are not, resigning from that position (just describe it as stepping down) is fine once you have tenure. Some colleagues might not be pleased, but the institution will survive and move on and someone will do it. And you will not have to worry about tenure. I know several untenured colleagues who stepped down from administrative duties once they got tenure and then a year or two later each took on another administrative duty and did well. Good luck!

[anthroid]

Anthroid, I don't have a 12 month contract so if I wait until after tenure, it would be an immediate resignation. I am concerned this will not be viewed favorably, even though I'll be tenured. I'm not sure I have another option though. What do you think? (Thank you, by the way, for your previous thoughts too.)

Listen to Oatmeal.

It may not be viewed favorably, but it will no longer be your problem.  It sounds as though you have really taken one for the team for the last few years, and it is not at all unreasonable to ask someone else to play ball (clunky metaphor, but you get my point) now.  I think you're right that you don't have another option--this is the best that you really can do.  My impression is that you really have been patient but you don't have to keep on doing this.  Let someone else have the joy of directorship.  :~)

It occurs to me too that it may go down easier if you are somehow able to present the powers that be with a solution--can you try to line up a replacement, or at least suggest some alternatives?

Good luck, both with your last year as director and with tenure!

[postmodern]

Oatmeal and Anthroid,

Thank you both. I am not taking sabbatical next year. (I wish!) Unless there is an outside hire, which the powers-that-be will not want for obvious reasons, there isn't anyone else to do this position. That has been the case since I agreed to do it, but I cannot continue in this position for just that reason. Suffice to say people will be quite angry with me. It will have negative affects on some colleagues and students, but I cannot be guilted into doing this anymore.

[brixton]

It's a dangerous position for the college to have one and only one person able to do an important job.  It's also bad thinking to think that you're the only one who can do the job. What would happen to the school if you got in a car accident?  Had a midlife crisis?  Needed to attend to a serious family issue?  Although many people in colleges think of themselves as indispensable, they're not.  Sometimes administrators create that sort of warped thinking.  That works in their favor.  They never have to replace a competent worker.  However, you are somewhat enabling this sort of thinking.  It's always important for administrators to think on their feet and plan accordingly.  That being said, if your school would be unhappy with you resigning after tenure, might they not be even more upset if you did it before? 

So, my advice?  Worry about yourself and career.  Period.  So, I'd recommend: Tenure --> resign --> offer to help the next person get on his/her feet for the first month.  (Oh yeah, and if you've been carrying a voluntary administrative post that didn't involve some sort of sabbatical/research leave after tenure, shame on your superiors for not looking out for you.  For that reason and that reason alone, I would feel no guilt in letting them find the next person willing to step into your shoes.)

[postmodern]

Brixton, You are right about being replaceable. We all are and I hope my comments didn't seem arrogant or naive. There isn't anyone currently employed at my institution who could replace me because of either not wanting to, lacking the qualification, or both. There are lots of people who could do this job, but a hire would need to be made.

At this point, my feelings of guilt over what I intend to do are diminishing, in part because of what you stated. I work at one of those places where we are all expected to do more for the good of the institution, students, and colleagues, and I am just not buying it at this point.