Hello, all
Since our conversation started with an article reporting that a young academic was suing her college for not allowing her enough time to create publications and other materials required for tenure, I think it would be interesting to bring our discussion
back to that initial topic.
What obligation does the college have to mentor and/or inform new faculty (or administrators) of the criteria for advancement? What obligation, if any, does the college have to provide opportunity for new faculty to succeed?
When I arrived in Oneonta, I was told repeatedly by my chair (at that time) that there was absolutely no need for me to seek an advanced degree beyond the Masters I possessed when I was hired, since SUNY accepted music public performance in lieu of publications
and in lieu of a doctorate.
I was never told that publications would help my career. In retrospect, I see that my superiors in rank gave me incorrect information. Speaking in general, and with no reference to my own case, does the college have any obligation to advise employees
of criteria for professional success, and if so, does the college have any liability for not fulfilling that duty?
We do not, to my knowledge, have any organized system of professional mentoring at our school. Should one be developed?
If one is developed, will the college open itself to any sort of legal action if the mentoring is deemed insufficient or ineffective?
Institutional mentoring would offer an important opportunity for institutional acculturation that might be of benefit to all, without interfering with the diversity we seek to support at our college.
Thanks
Janet
Dr. J. Nepkie
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SUNY Distinguished Service Professor
SUNY Music Department
Oneonta, NY 13820
tele: 607-436-3425
fax: 607 436 2718