Question I have an acquaintance at another university who was hired out of graduate school to teach.
Due to some language problems and cultural differences, this new faculty member has not done well in the classroom. Further, he acknowledges that he was unhappy with the location of his first teaching job, and not even that excited about teaching. Since then he has tried to improve his teaching, talked with his students, discussed the problem with his chair, adopted a better attitude. Then recently he decided to apply for a green card, and told me the department chair was supposed to sign it indicating that his job was based on merit (I'm sorry, I don't remember all of the details and he was kind of upset when he told me the whole story). The chair didn't respond to the signature request, but let the application sit on his desk for a month. So within the past few days my friend approached the chair about his green card application and was told the chair would not sign it due to the fact that his teaching has been poor and his future at this university is uncertain. My friend is angry for a number of reasons, one because according to him the application for a work permit / green card (???) is a separate issue from his future employment. He is also angry because he feels the department chair isn't working with him to make his teaching better, but that perhaps he is being "given up on" quickly. My friend asked me what to do, and I asked him for permission to relate this incident to experienced faculty who might have suggestions. I told him he should have a meeting with the department chair to try and resolve these problems, and if that is unsatisfactory, go to the dean and discuss the situation with the dean. My friend is reluctant to speak to the chair, worrying it will "piss him off even more," and that going to the dean will have the same effect. He is also now looking for positions elsewhere in the country, and worried that if he applies elsewhere the deparment chair could be contacted and "sink my chances." I told him I didn't think that could happen, esp if he doesn't use the chair as a reference. My friend said "I won't put anyone from this school as a reference," but I suggested it might not look good if he doesn't have ANYONE from this university included (i.e., find a colleague at the school who could provide a positive reference). Anyway, advice/suggestions/directions would be greatly appreciated. I apologize for any misinformation or gaps in this story. Thanks, Jim Guinee UCA --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
