looming tenure denial, part 2

[Brego]

My department tenure committee has unanimously decided not to approve my bid for tenure.  Their report paints me as an ineffective teacher and an unproductive scholar.  One of my external reviews was negative; three were overwhelmingly positive; another was middling.

I've written a rebuttal to the committee report that will be included in my dossier.

The ombudsman and a senior ally at my university have recommended that I talk to the Dean and the Provost.  I don't know whether that makes sense, or what to ask them if I do meet with them. 

I talk to a lawyer next week. 

[AmLitHist]

So sorry to hear this, Brego. Good luck as you continue to pursue this.

[Mobius]

I am sorry you are going through this.

In all seriousness, what's the goal of a legal fight? Unfortunately, tenure usually isn't the outcome. If there are some legal issues that could prove problematic for the institution, the resolution is typically a settlement (year or two of salary seems right based on cases I know about).

[Brego]

Definite legal issues. 

Good to know typical settlement amount.

[Mobius]

Have you ever discussed this with HR in the past? Anything tied to discrimination will be an uphill battle, but it's harder if it's never been reported.

[Ruralguy]

I don't know the process at your institution, but I would imagine that if the dept. was unanimous, then its probably a done deal (assuming that the dept. recommendation is an important part of the formal process--at my school it isn't).

Usually, you can't do anything legal until you have followed the grievance process of your institution, because that would be the first thing a judge would bring up. It doesn't mean that they haven't done anything that can't be overturned, its just that if the school has a process to follow to investigate such possibilities, then that has to be followed first, and that can take up to a year to play out (honestly, the quicker ones are just the ones for which the committee decides the first day that they aren't going to do anything). 

Also, tenure cases are rarely overturned for anything other than process violations (i.e., the Dean or whoever was supposed to do Step 2 after Step 1,
and didn't). However, if the violation is determined not to be material (that is, it wouldn't have mattered for the decision), then the case would not be overturned. There's also matters of (documented) bias, malice, etc., but that's really hard to show. if someone criticized you sharply is it some sort of bias or malice?  It may seem so, but most committees would say that Prof X had the right to critique you fairly sharply.

That being said, I've see decisions overturned and I have seen them not overturned. The only overturns I am aware of were by agreement of the Dean and President *before* any legal thing happened. Also, the dept. in those cases was not in opposition.

[Mobius]

OP has a job this year and next year (terminal contract), right, as well as allies to write recommendation letters.

Next job might not be at the R1, but get that book and articles published. Focus your energy on the job hunt instead of a costly legal fight. If you think you have what it takes for tenure where you're at, you have what it takes
to get a good position elsewhere.

[spork]

I can't remember if I mentioned this in Part 1 of this discussion; if not, I recommend this book:

Leaving Academia: A Practical Guide, by Christopher L. Caterine.

Always better to have options.

[Brego]

I recently had an interaction with someone who told me, "You are not cut out for academia.  You need to leave." They also told me my personal situation is no excuse for "not getting the work done." 

I wrote while undergoing chemo.  I taught seminars from the ICU.  Nothing I do is remotely good enough. 

None of my skills are remotely transferred to industry.  And given my current health, I can't imagine anyone would hire me.

I keep having nightmares about committing suicide.  I truly don't know what to do or where to turn.

[Langue_doc]

I recently had an interaction with someone who told me, "You are not cut out for academia.  You need to leave." They also told me my personal situation is no excuse for "not getting the work done." 

I wrote while undergoing chemo.  I taught seminars from the ICU.  Nothing I do is remotely good enough. 

None of my skills are remotely transferred to industry.  And given my current health, I can't imagine anyone would hire me.

I keep having nightmares about committing suicide.  I truly don't know what to do or where to turn.

Brego, sorry to hear about your tenure denial and also your health issues. I would strongly urge you to get medical help, and also think about taking a semester off for medical reasons. This would help you reassess your options, and also get some much-needed rest.

[Brego]

Thanks, languedoc.

I can't afford time off.  I ran out of tenure extensions when my husband died. 

[spork]

Please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Now.

As for my book recommendation, its author also thought his skills could not transfer to industry. Turned out he was wrong.

[AJ_Katz]

Brego, I'm so sorry to hear about all of this and that you are going through that.  Is there a senior trusted colleague at another institution or former advisor you can turn to for advice about alternative careers?  I hope that what you say about lack of career options is not true.  The next job you find doesn't need to be your "forever job", it could just be a stop gap measure.  Potential future employers should not ask about your health status at the time of your interview and it would be illegal to make a hiring decision based on a health status, so long as you can fulfill the job functions.  But I also understand you might not be able to tell us everything that is going on and that your health situation may be significant.  I truly hope you are able to find some time in your daily life to turn down the volume on all of this stress and find solace during this difficult time.

[Larimar]

Sorry to hear about all this that's happening to you, Brego. I don't have any advice to add, but what others have said sounds like good ideas. Wishing you comfort and a better new future around the corner.

[Sea_Ice]

Brego, I don't know what specifically to add to the helpful advice and sympathy.  I hope that time will erode away the immediate shock and let you cope effectively.  You can do that - I know you can do it b/c you've already coped with so much.

Take care of yourself - there is something worthwhile for you in this world - if it has to be beyond academia, so be it!  Academia is not what it used to be, and it isn't going to get better any time soon.  I know many people for whom leaving academia (as it's currently configured) was, if not salvation, at least a major springboard into a better life.

There most definitely is something beyond the narrow world of your "colleagues" who are grimly trying to hold on to their jobs and delusions.

Until then - yes, this is sh*t -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE4lpSFNFUE

However, it can be liberating to realize that you've reached the end of your tether, and just let it all go! I'm old enough that this has recently become my new anthem... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqbk9cDX0l0