Hi all. I was hoping to get some targeted advice on dealing with an offer/acceptance I just had/made (yay!). I will be starting next fall on a small, rural liberal arts school. The salary is on the lower-end of what I've seen, but I was able to negotiate a small increase to the middle of their starting asst range. The moving expenses coverage isn't great, but it's not too far from where we are currently at, so I'm not going to split hairs.
My advice-seeking is related to when I brought up start-up, associated with things like research, furniture, computing needs. Obviously, this school is a 4/4 load and that's what I'm signing up for. As far as research goes, I will be able to apply for grants this summer with payouts in Fall, so that's not terrible. However, I'm sort of fixated on the dismissal of my other needs: getting the office set-up that I will feel most comfortable with. I'm a youngin' who has grown-up with technology—I consider myself a person with specific needs. Not terribly expensive needs, just particular. Also, if I am going to be spending a lot of time in my office, I'd like it to be comfortable. I'd rather not sit in a 20+ yr old swivel chair that's lost all cushion and barely swivels. The provost/dean said I would need to work with the division chair for specific requests, first to see if the college has it already, and if not, what would be the cost. That sounds fine. What worries me is that I'll ask for something and I'll get a no, because this wasn't a negotiated/in-writing thing I requested.
So I guess my question is: how do make sure I feel comfortable, both physically and psychologically, if some of my concerns get pushed under the rug or not addressed to my satisfaction? I get that I might be focusing on the wrong thing, but there is something to it I think, I dunno. A long-time faculty member I met on my campus visit completely remodeled his office and it looks fantastic, but I didn't get the information as to who paid for such a remodel.
Side note: I met the division chair for a total of 5 secs on my visit because of his class schedule. Didn't get to ask him anything I know now to be his purview. Should I wait until I get the contract paperwork to reach out to him?
Thanks for listening to my droning. Any perspective or thoughts are appreciated!