Advice on navigating non-numeric start-up promises

Advice on navigating non-numeric start-up promises

choices 02 Mar 2017 18:27

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!

Re: Advice on navigating non-numeric start-up promises

juniorfaculty 02 Mar 2017 18:46

Congratulations. All I can say is get as much as you can in writing! Like for a chair you could say some model "or equivalent" or something along those lines. Or it could be "updated office equipment" or something along those lines. It's helpful if SOMETHING is in writing.

Re: Advice on navigating non-numeric start-up promises

choices 02 Mar 2017 19:47

Thanks, juniorfaculty!

Would you recommend reaching out to him/her (div chair) now, or waiting until official things come down the pike?

Re: Advice on navigating non-numeric start-up promises

juniorfaculty 02 Mar 2017 21:24

I think the sooner the better, and I'd recommend a phone call with a follow-up e-mail of what you discussed so that something is sort-of in writing. A phone call is good because then you can gauge their reaction in terms of what to push on vs. what to back off of.

I have this amazing and reasonable chair who really fights for junior faculty needs and the needs of new hires. But occasionally you'll ask for something and he'll balk (most of the time he'll be wanting you to ask for more). It's good to be in person or on the phone when having this conversation because it's unpredictable as to how he'll react.

Re: Advice on navigating non-numeric start-up promises

DocJ 03 Mar 2017 12:48

First, congratulations on an offer! Second, my comments aren't going to be rosy, but are reality from what I and colleagues have known.

Places with higher teaching loads and, especially, higher teaching load non-elite liberal arts colleges usually do not have much "cushion" in the budget to allow for much when it comes to start-up, lab equipment, or faculty office remodels. If the office chair is such a concern, you might just need to buy your own (and of course take it with you if you move on at some point). There's a good chance the long-time faculty member paid for his own remodel. Now, the good news is these sorts of institutions often have a stronger sense of collegiality, so people across departments even might be willing to work together on minor resources. There very well may be an extra office chair laying around in an administration storage room they can get for you. All said, though, I would avoid being overly pushy with office comfort. If the needs you mention are actually inexpensive, then again - buy them yourself. I say that having done exactly that with a job I had at a similar sort of institution, and spent $500-ish out of pocket to get my office up to par. Keep the receipts. You might be able to use them as a tax deduction since they'd be work-related expenses.

Re: Advice on navigating non-numeric start-up promises

choices 03 Mar 2017 16:52

Thanks, you two.

DocJ, your blunt response was perhaps exactly what I needed, methinks. I don't think they'll be willing to put anything down in writing, since my arrival is still a bit far off.

Thank you for the things to consider! I will hopefully continue to stick up for myself within my means.

Re: Advice on navigating non-numeric start-up promises

cogwheel 06 Mar 2017 02:32

Another possibility is to figure out who is the right person in human resources to ask for an ergonomic evaluation, once you are on the job. They will see it through a different lens (legal) and may have a distinct fund to tap into for things like desk chairs with back support. They may be able to take action without bothering your department head at all. Figuring out who knows what about facilities, and asking nicely to see some used furniture in storage can work wonders, too.

Both these routes are best pursued after you have the job in hand, and perhaps after actually starting the job. Being overly particular about your office chair during negotiations would be rather off-putting.

Re: Advice on navigating non-numeric start-up promises

jobseeker6500 07 Mar 2017 18:20

From their side they might not be able to get too specific on furnishings at this point because offices likely get moved around during the summer and they won't know all that yet. So possibly the best they can give is an overly general we'll take care of your needs.

The take away is that you will need to find out their timelines and procedures for different things. Ask what they can answer. e.g., If I am looking for specific furniture for my office who would I talk to and when would that process start so that I am settled before the start of the semester?

This might all fall in that awkward zone of not knowing what questions to ask. Talk with whoever negotiated with you and once there talk to your chair. If someone is not helping in a way you expect ask if your request is reasonable, is here someone else we should include?

I feel you on the chair and such. I had one that was making my legs go to sleep. Once I realized it was the chair I asked the dept asst for help - who do I talk to? While the asst wasn't sure what to do a retiringfaculty member had a great chair up for grabs. Other faculty with documentedback problems later worked directly with the central purchasing office.

Re: Advice on navigating non-numeric start-up promises

questionAsker 31 Mar 2017 16:15

Building off this question - what about something that I need for ergonomic reasons with diagnosed neck and wrist issues? This is a professor of the practice position at a small liberal arts college. Thinking ahead, is this something to bring up as part of negotiation (in even a vague way) or to wait once I am on the job? Searching the school's website does not reveal any links for ergonomics.