ACLS New Faculty Fellows 2011-2012 UPDATES

Previous posts on ACLS New Faculty Fellows program from 2011-12 Humanities and Social Sciences Postdocs page: LINK.

LINK to ACLS site: http://www.acls.org/programs/newfaculty/

ACLS NFF Updates and Queries (after January 19, 2012)
Everyone ready for the webinar? What questions do people have to ask?

So during the Q&A, there was some mention that a few schools have converted or are in the midst of converting fellows to TT positions. (The number 10-12 was mentioned.) One of the admins said there was information out there about what schools are doing this. Anyone know what schools might be doing this or have any idea what schools are likely to?


 * As far as I can tell, it's not much different from the common practice of hiring a VAP for 1 or 2 years while waiting for the budgetary green light to make a TT hire, and meanwhile to encourage the VAP to apply for th TT job (sometimes hiring them, sometimes not). The schools likely to dangle an eventual TT job in front of you are the ones where you'll be filling an important gap that they just haven't been able to fill yet. I'm not sure any of the schools are merely converting the positions; from what I understand, they still have to do a search. So yes, the prospect of a TT opening in two years is a perk you should take seriously in weighing your offers (if you think it's a place you would like to stay), and worth asking about if they don't bring it up, but I would never consider it a promise.

Did the webinar today (Monday, 1/23) address if at this point schools can become hosting institutions if they are not currently listed as participating? I am scheduled for the Thursday webinar due to a campus interview, but I am considering sharing with the selection committee that I was preliminarily selected for this fellowship in part, because as a more peripheral candidate for this particular job, I think they might be interested in me and know they are trying to create a TT in my field in the next two years. Advice? I also don't want to give them an excuse not to offer me the TT if they are tied between candidates.


 * This was not addressed directly, but I am virtually certain no schools beyond the 49 listed in the FAQ can get themselves added to the list and offer the fellowship. I also don't understand your question. Was this a TT job you interviewed for? If so, the school can't offer change the position to and ACLS postdoc instead of a TT. No way that would fly (or should).


 * Thank you for the information. It is a TT that I interviewed for but I am more of a long-shot candidate who fits in a field they want to develop a few years for now, and might have a lecturer position in. I would take the TT in a heartbeat and echo your sentiments that they shouldn't convert a TT to this, even if they could. I didn't know if they would be eligible to become an ACLS participant at this point in the process, which you clarified. It seems like SLACs joined later in the process last year, judging by the 2010-11 wiki, motivating my original question. Thanks.
 * On Monday they told us there would be no SLACs participating this year.

Today (1/31) is the day our dossiers go live, right? Good luck, everyone!​ (x4)

When they were discussing negotiating intangibles in the webinars, did they mention any beyond subsidized housing, like technology, e.g. software and computers? My webinar didn't mention anything & I didn't think to ask. No offers yet, just pondering the possibilities.


 * -This may often be included in the research allowance.


 * I assume it's up to the schools who administer our research funds to decide how and on what we can spend them? Presumably the school may allow us to be eligible for other research/travel awards typically offered to faculty...

Has anybody heard anything or gotten any queries? (2/2)


 * -Too early, I'd say. Don't expect anything until next week at the earliest.
 * -I know for sure that at least two big state schools start at the dean's level and then distribute names to different departments (and then interviews and back to the dean's office for final approval). May take some time before we hear from schools.
 * -Yes (2/3) x2 (2/6)
 * -From 2 schools on 2/3 and 2/6

Are recipients notifying the search committees of TT searches that you recieved this fellowship?
 * -No. I don't see why it would matter or why the committees would care. (IT's not like there's any competition between them.) And if it's at a school that's one of the 49 on the list, they'll learn anyway.

-first contact made, asked for campus visit later in the month, things are happening!

For those who have been contacted: would you mind specifying your discipline?
 * -First contacts today, a campus visit and another expression of interest. (Philosophy)(2/7)
 * -First contact on 2/7, campus visit or skype, East Asian history
 * -First contact on 2/7, skype, history
 * -First contact 2/6, Anthropology
 * -Phone interview request 2/6, English


 * Still nothing...(2/9-2/12) (x5)
 * All we need is one OFFER. Wait a little longer...

-First contacts on 2/11, 1 campus visit and 1 skype, Communication

-First contact on 2/13, 1 skype, History

-Contacts 2 skype interviews, History (2/13)

-First contact, Skype interview request, English/Women's Studies (2/13)

-First contact (History), 2/13

-First contact, French, phone interview request (2/15). (x2)

-Another in French, phone interview request (2/16)

How are you discussing and interpreting the search committees' statements around future possibilities of TT options, including plans for "conversion" from the ACLS postdoc into an offer? Presuming that I audition well over the two years and my work fits their hiring line, I am trying to realistically weigh this possibility, all the while knowing no promises can ethically be made, particularly as the institutions with the best intentions cannot control future budget cuts and the politicized process. All options are public R1s: I am vetting their departmental and university strategic plans, as well as trying to see if previous postdocs (of any source) have gained TT, and trying to glean how the schools went about nation-wide searches. Any other suggestions? It feels so presumptuous to be thinking of this, especially with the scarcity of the regular market! xoxo ACLS!