Particularly at 3 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, for longtime online friends facing an uncertain future and the prospect of uprooting their young family after a completely-unexpected denial of tenure, which means having to look for another job quite soon. The field is not one with lucrative alternatives in the private sector, so they face considerable hardship and a difficult job search. They are shocked and unprepared.
Three o'clock Tuesday is the hour of a crucial meeting that is part of a Hail Mary tenure appeals process. Please hold them in your hearts.
UPDATE FROM MY FRIEND.
"Back from meeting. There is tangible hope. We have a plan forward.
"It is still stressful and scary and is not for sure, but we were given some good advice from [COLLEGE DEAN] and it is more clear now what needs to happen and the size of the mountain we need to climb.
"It's huge. But at least it looks like there may be a chance to climb it, instead of there being no chance at all.
Thank you everyone so so so much I really felt strong going in there because of your prayers."
Thanks, all. Sounds like they could still use your prayers for the next step, whatever it is. I'll update when I can.
Sorry to read this.
I fear that this request will become all too common in our Brave New academia.
Posted by: Christy P. | 28 May 2013 at 09:59 AM
The tenure system is so, so deeply flawed.
Even working within the system as it exists, though, it's unconscionable that anyone could be caught completely off guard by denial. You ought to know all along if there is a considerable risk of being denied tenure, so that you can remain prepared and/or make corrections to your course. It's such bad management practice from an employment standpoint!
Posted by: bearing | 28 May 2013 at 10:08 AM
Praying for this concern.
Posted by: Tabitha | 28 May 2013 at 02:22 PM
A little late, but praying here.
Posted by: mandamum | 28 May 2013 at 03:15 PM
Thanks for the update. I'll keep praying.
Posted by: Tabitha | 28 May 2013 at 07:08 PM