Affirmative Action and Hiring in a University

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Shiizu

Member
Feb 17, 2006
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Originally posted by: mfbf
I have no problem with a college doing a search and trying to incorporate minorities into the department assuming the qualifications are the same. Here is my dilema. I was hired two years ago as a visiting lecturer and have done a lot over the two years getting the class back up to a high standard. The department was in danger of students transferring during their Junior year to different colleges before I came. Now they are hiring a tenure track position and I (white male) am up against two minority applicants. My question is it is fair for them to hire me for two years and do the work of a tenure track employee with the promise of being hired and now when it is time, I am in danger of not getting the position because of factors not under my control?

Cliffs
1. worked two years in place of a TT position
2. Hiring for the position but am up against two minority applicants
3. Fair if I don't get hired?

Just because you work at a lecturer does not, in any way, give you seniority for tenure-track faculty position. The two things are completely different. There are so many factors they will be looking at: publication, dissertation, 8 billion other things that could set you or the other applicants ahead-- and then you will have a committee of people, possibly with much political infighting, deciding on who to hire.

So I think you might be simplifying it too much by saying you are all "equally" qualified besides race or gender. NOw if you are more qualified then I could say it is fair to be irritated.
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
26,066
4,712
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Originally posted by: mfbf
As for qualifications, I regularly get 95+% approval ratings from my students in all my classes. The comments also say that I am a very effective teacher for a very difficult subject for most students. I also have a quality education and research skills behind me.
Its a state university, approval ratings from students (even your teaching ability) does not play any role in the decision. They may pretend it does, but in fact, it does not. What grants have you brought in? What prestigious journals have you published in? Whos butts have you kissed? Those are the important details.