Recently, I was asked why I was hand-carrying a poster to a conference. My questioner queried, ‘didn’t I have an endowed chair? Why didn’t I ship it?’
He was genuinely puzzled that I didn’t use my research budget to pay for shipping. He noted that my endowed chair provided plenty of money.
The thought had not even crossed my mind.
It wasn’t a wrong suggestion. It would never have occurred to me.
Why?
Because I use my budget to support research - most of which I give to my current & former #students.
To do so, I carefully ration funds - I have many students!
So why post about it?
I think it is time for a conversation about endowed chairs as stewards & every day #colleagues.
Too often, I see them act as only be #stewards for themselves & colleagues of convenience.’
I’ve worked with good & bad endowed chairs.
They differ in mindset.
A good chair invests in the group.
I saw one chair who used its endowment to fund faculty & student travel. He made possible necessary trips that otherwise were impossible. He asked for nothing in return.
A bad chair hoards resources.
I saw one chair that rarely used money in their endowment. They made students pay for their research. They asked for authorship in return for advising papers.
A good chair acts as a steward.
I saw one build a group around collegiality that persisted after they retired.
A bad chair acts as if the job is a reward.
I saw him build a group of free agents that quickly collapsed after they left.
A good chair knows there are many ways to contribute.
A bad chair only focuses on research.
I have seen men & women serve as good & bad chairs. It’s not gender - it’s values that matter.
So how can you develop the mindset to be a good chair? Something I aspire to be.
First. Be aware that you are part of a team.
Your role is to support your #colleagues & develop students. Not command them.
Second. Be aware that you are a peer. Peers respect each other. They live & let live.
Peers #mentor & help each other - & take advice from time to time.
Third. Be aware that you are a role model.
Everyone will watch your behavior & respond to it.
Fourth. Be aware that your resources can elevate the team.
Invest money & energy in creating opportunities for others.
You will be repaid with loyalty & your group will earn a strong reputation.
Fifth. Be aware that you set the tone.
If you want a rough place, you can make it one.
You can also make it a tolerant one.
Sixth. Be aware of the people around you.
The words you say will stick in their minds. There is a power difference, whether you like it or not.
Finally. Be aware that holding a chair demands excellence.
I see too many endowed chairs retired on the job & playing with their bands.
I’ll keep trying to be a good chair - if you are lucky enough to earn a chair - I hope you will too!
Meanwhile, I’ll keep carrying posters to #conferences to free up a few bucks to support my students.
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