Lulu was just awarded tenure. So was my buddy DeeBee. It should be a
joy-filled time around our cracker home - but it is bitter sweet.
After living in the same place 55 years - I had to leave friends and family
behind to come to Tallahassee. I am not used to that and quite frankly - I
have not made a lot of friends here in town. DeeBee was one of them.
DeeBee is the "coffee baron" at Lulu's office. He is always at the office
when many of the other professors are off on their adventures doing research
- managing projects - or presenting at conventions. Sometimes to the neglect
of his personal life - DeeBee has held the fort down. He has often been seen
on Sundays in his office with his Border collie mix affectionately referred
to as his "tenure-dog." Two years ago DeeBee was selected "Faculty Member
of the Year" by the students. More recently he managed to teach a course
online while recovering from prostate cancer surgery.
In the traditional college professor world - one gets promoted by being an
excellent teacher. Increasingly, in many of today's colleges, one must add
bringing in grant money and getting books and articles published.
Unfortunately, due to local current economic conditions - veteran professors
have not gotten a pay raise in a few years. Their salary has fallen way
behind the inflation rate. In order to attract top new faculty members -
most colleges offer new professors higher salaries than veteran staff
members. So if a professor wants a pay raise - he must apply to other
universities and weigh the salary offers. It is like a free agent in
baseball - get what you can - when you can.
DeeBee just accepted an almost 50K pay increase from one of two universities
he received offers from. He accepted the offer from a state school located
in another deep-south state. Granted, we have an apples-to-oranges
comparison as the raise reflects a 12 month salary versus the current 9
month salary as an assistant professor. He has signed the offer sheet and
informed the Dean that he will be gone on July 1st. Lulu's department is
astonished - not at the offer - but to be losing DeeBee. Just like that I
will be losing a buddy - one of the few that I have.
DeeBee and his family of five just did major renovations to their home. His
wife and kids love Tallahassee. The kids are outstanding students and his
wife DeeBee2 are a perfect fit into the community.
This is a way of life for professors that wish to advance. It seems like no
one is an expert unless they are over 100 miles from home. So add another
to brain drain list that is occurring throughout FL.
Lulu has been on the "tenure" merry-go-round two times. She received it from
a college in New York City 10 years ago - but had to run the gauntlet again
at FSU. When FSU recruited her - they offered a generous salary. We pulled
up our roots of 50 years in Pennsylvania and moved to the town and school
that we love. But as the Florida economy remains stagnant - and already
other colleges have come calling with fantastic pay raises - I am afraid
that this has become a way of life. I spent my entire life within 10 miles
of the place I was born. This is a club I am reluctant to join.
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