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{ 2008 10 03 }

If only our jobs were evaluated like the Biden-Palin debate

From a CNN poll: But respondents said the folksy Palin was more likable, scoring 54 percent to Biden’s 36 percent. Seventy percent said Biden was more of a typical politician. Both candidates exceeded expectations — 84 percent of the people polled said Palin did a better job than they expected

Imagine the following conversation between the department chair (DC) and the chair of the Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion committee (RTP).

DC: So, what about Purcell’s tenure case?

RTP: He has just one publication, and a a letter to the editor in Summit County West Side Leader, in five years. Oh, and he posted a few comments at Scatterplot.

DC: Then he shouldn’t get tenure. The other professor we hired the same year has 14 publications, two grants, and a book. Besides, in his tenure file, he didn’t answer any of the questions we asked him — he just talked about other stuff instead.

RTP: Well, you have to remember that we had pretty low expectations for him coming in. I mean, he actually did better than we expected. He didn’t totally crap the bed. And the students love him! He’s so folksy and real and kind of attractive. He’s not a typical ivory tower insider like the rest of us…they feel like he’s one of them. He winks at them a lot.

DC: But what about that disastrous meeting he had with the Dean?

RTP: He said that the administration is filtering his answers. He wants to talk directly to the Kent State University students.

DC: Then, tenure it is!

Posted by Dave on Friday, October 3, 2008, at 7:07 am. Filed under politics. Tagged , , . Follow any responses to this post with its comments RSS feed. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.

{ 7 } Comments

  1. The_Wizard | October 3, 2008 at 7:56 am | Permalink

    If only. I wouldn’t have to spend so much time typing student comments.

  2. Jason J. | October 3, 2008 at 9:19 am | Permalink

    We’re doomed.

  3. Chiller | October 3, 2008 at 9:41 am | Permalink

    Brilliant, dp, just brilliant.

  4. Ryan | October 3, 2008 at 10:56 am | Permalink

    I want that RTP committee!

  5. Wes F. in Hapeville | October 3, 2008 at 6:08 pm | Permalink

    Bee-yoo-ti-full, Dave.

    And what Ryan said. I hope my T&P committee is that hip.

    WF

  6. craig | October 5, 2008 at 4:46 pm | Permalink

    How come you never winked at me?

  7. Mark | October 7, 2008 at 2:05 pm | Permalink

    I’m basing my classes around how well I can clean a moose.