The big T

I attended a workshop this week on writing your academic portfolio, aimed mainly at professionals on tenure track. The workshop was offered by the authors of the book 'Evaluating Faculty Performance: a practical guide to assessing teaching, research and service' Peter Seldin and Elizabeth Miller. I learnt the following:

• posts are advertised with tenure track, so the decision is made when applying, NOT along the way in the position
• library staff here do not belong to unions at all
• much support is offered at A&M to staff who are on tenure track, i.e. a mentoring system with experienced tenures appointed to assist and advise the protege

All-in-all I think it is a good system that encourages scholarship and good work performance. Have a look at Peter & Elizabeth's book if you can get hold of it.