Paula Waddill posted an ad for an "Assistant Professor of Psychology - Open Area of Specialization - Murray State Univ."
Having been involved in dozens of searches over the years, I'm curious about these "open" searches. My department never did such a search because we assumed that it would result in an unmanageable number of applications, probably numbering in the hundreds. When combined with the difficulties involved in comparing applicants from radically different specializations, This just seems crazy to me. In addition, I can't imagine how one would go about defending decisions to the affirmative action officer when such different criteria would have to be used for different disciplines. In all fairness, my university is in an area (suburban Philadelphia) that is close to dozens of universities & teaching hospitals. These give us access to a very large number of new Ph.D.s, interns, & post docs. And we have a large number of dual career couples, both of whom are looking for academic or high tech jobs in the same area. Our searches, therefore, virtually never have a dearth of applicants. I realize that this may not be the case in less urban areas or urban areas without the large number of academic institutions with which we are blessed. Murray, TN is a good 2 hrs. from the nearest large city (Nashville) so it's probably not ideal for attracting dual career couples and its religious diversity seems minimal, e.g., the nearest synagogue is in Paducah, an hour away. It is, however, in a beautiful region with lots of recreational possibilities. My question is, have any of you had experiences with running "open searches" and what have been your experiences? I'm just curious. Ed Edward I. Pollak, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Psychology West Chester University of Pennsylvania Doc's Bluegrass Newsletter: http://www.docsbluegrass.net/bluegrass-newsletter.html Husband, father, grandfather, bluegrass fiddler & biopsychologist............... in approximate order of importance ________________________________ This e-mail message was sent from a retired or emeritus status employee of West Chester University. --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=47035 or send a blank email to leave-47035-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
