On fall semester and tenure decisions in the United States (or what might be the most perilous time for mental health for faculty).
Every Fall I worry.
I can’t help it.
I worry about early & mid-career faculty and their mental health.
It’s the time that department & college tenure committees meet & make decisions on the future of candidates for retention, promotion or tenure.
It is an incredibly stressful & wonderful & sad & happy time for candidates- with emotions depending on committee decisions.
If the decision is negative, it is devastating.
If the decision is positive, it is amazing.
In either circumstance, it is a rollercoaster for candidates & for decision makers.
Why?
Because even if you have a good record of service, teaching, & research, you never know what will happen.
I have sat on committees where people who thought they were a ‘lock’ failed to secure a positive vote & where people who were on the margins sailed through.
While 90% of the time the outcomes are foregone, there are those ten percent of cases that you just don’t know what will happen.
That uncertainty can lead to depression, anxiety, & even to self-harm.
I hate sitting on tenure committees bc I fully recognize the rollercoaster that candidates ride & hate contributing to their uncertainty.
Yet.
I know that evaluation based on merit is an essential part of the academic process.
I also know that confidentiality & discretion, which contribute to uncertainty, are parts of that evaluation process.
I always reluctantly fulfil my obligation to be part of the process - bc of its implications.
It sometimes feels like a catch-22 - follow the rules & cause uncertainty or break them & get in trouble - it’s a quandary.
So what to do?
If you are a candidate, I suggest four actions to manage the stress.
(1) prepare materials well in advance.
I have seen candidates who ‘forgot’ or ‘waited’ to assemble their tenure packages at the last minute.
Usually, hastily assembled packages miss information, misstate facts & lead to negative outcomes.
Minimize your risk & uncertainty by having your tenure package together in the Summer.
(2) build an emotional support network - away from work.
Decision makers & colleagues know you are stressed out.
Often, bc they are part of the decision making process, they can’t say much.
Find a friend, a professional or a family member that you can lean on.
Having a safe space helps.
(3) get a hobby.
Do something that builds your self of self &!takes your mind away from tenure.
I built a lot of Lego kits my tenure year.
The routine of listening to music & following directions soothed my soul.
Balance is especially important the tenure year.
(4) apply for jobs.
Yes, you are seeking a lifetime contract at your home uni - so it seems counterintuitive.
However, knowing you have options helps.
So discreetly look around.
If you are a decision maker, points 2 & 3 might help - plus a healthy dose of self compassion.
Best of luck!
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