next »

[biop_grad]

I've been trying to read through the morass of information on this topic on the forum, but I would like to ask a quick (no doubt me being neurotic).

I was offered a new TT job at a different institution, and was recently issued an offer letter (after some verbal/emailed negotiations) that included most of the details discussed - except for the research start-up commitments (STEM field), which were not detailed.  This was mostly listed in an email I sent earlier, which the dean has written back as being okay.

Would it be considered rude to request a second letter to confirm this?

[totoro]

I'd probably check with the admin person who sent the letter and ask "is it usual not to mention these in the offer letter?"

[oatmeal]

I'd probably check with the admin person who sent the letter and ask "is it usual not to mention these in the offer letter?"

I agree with this advice. Frame it as a follow-up question in a polite way and you should get the answer. There is normally an addendum to the contract signed by the dean and copied to the provost and chair.

[lurkingfear]

I'm not sure what the legal aspects of this are, but there were a couple items missing from my start-up letter and I wrote the chair, who responded via email to agree to those additional items. I took this as sufficient and there was no problem.

[takomama]

Agree with the previous posters to kindly ask about an addendum.  I received a very vague offer letter and had other details flushed out in an email.  When I arrived on campus, all was not as promised in the email.  Since the email was only between Dept head and myself, other key people, like the faculty member in charge of assigning teaching responsibilities, was not aware of the promises that had been made to me (like that I was to be relieved from teaching for a semester).  Makes for a very uncomfortable way to start.  So, GET IT IN THE CONTRACT!

[sugaree]

If you have an email from the Dean already okaying things that aren't detailed in the printed letter, don't you already have these things in writing? I asked about absent details in my offer letter as well, but once the Dean emailed an affirmative response (via email) about said details, I took that as it "being in writing" even if that writing wasn't in my printed letter per se.

I think it's fine to ask or clarify this, but I also think you're okay.