ACADEMIC DUAL CAREER ACADEMIC DUAL CAREER SITUATIONS IN THE SITUATIONS IN THE

SCIENCES AND SCIENCES AND ENGINEERINGENGINEERING

• Catherine MavriplisCatherine Mavriplis• Shelly HellerShelly Heller

• FORWARD to ProfessorshipFORWARD to Professorship• June 2012June 2012

Introductions• Anna and Clemens, Case Western

Reserve

• Keri and Noel, University of Oklahoma

• Noel and Kirk, Kansas State University

• Shelly, George Washington University

A short history• FORWARD to Professorship workshop 2003-2013

o National (Washington, DC – Gallaudet U) > 300 women, some men (“trailing” spouses )

o MIT annually since 2005: > 400 womenin beginning very few of the MIT female speakers had kids or

were married!

o 10 trainees: > 300 women• Guam, • Women of color in the midwest• Engaging Difference, Virginia• Southwest – life sciences

• Work / life balance panel

• Disciplines w field studies – Oregon• Oklahoma• National Lab - Physics• NYC Math and CS• Planetary Sciences

AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY 1998 DUAL CAREER AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY 1998 DUAL CAREER SURVEY – Laurie McNeil and Marc SherSURVEY – Laurie McNeil and Marc Sher

THERE WERE 620 RESPONSES!!THERE WERE 620 RESPONSES!! 89% had partners who were scientists89% had partners who were scientists 45% had partners who were physicists.45% had partners who were physicists. 57% were women.57% were women. Average age of females-- 37.1 yearsAverage age of females-- 37.1 years Average age of males -- 40.1 yearsAverage age of males -- 40.1 years Most respondents presented very long, detailed narrativesMost respondents presented very long, detailed narratives The APS sent copies of the 50 page report to every department chair The APS sent copies of the 50 page report to every department chair

and dean in the USand dean in the US An 8 page summary was published in July 1999 in Physics Today.An 8 page summary was published in July 1999 in Physics Today. As of 2004, there have been 30,000 downloads of the full report.As of 2004, there have been 30,000 downloads of the full report. Appeared in Congressional testimony, positive feedback from DOE Appeared in Congressional testimony, positive feedback from DOE

and NSFand NSF

Issues• Time and timing

• Maintenance and money

• Location and proximity

• Professional identity

• Support and scholarship

• Relationship issues

Univ of Oklahoma Dual Career Couples 2006-2007

• Word on campus was dual career hiring initiative was perceived as a flop by upper administration – canceled

• We found 65 dual career couples!

• Found prob. perception due to a few cases wh. couples left

• Surveyed 26 who attended reception:

• Benefits: share common concerns/interests/issues, understand each other, intellectual stimulation, working collaboratively on projects, flexible schedule

• Challenges: renewable term rather than tenure-track positions for “trailing” spouse , mobility, promises made but not kept, multi-year struggles, “We’ve got you; you can’t go anywhere.”, no separation between work and home, juggling travel and kids,

stressful times occur at same time for both, disadvantages of health insurance for dual-employees (no joint policy)

• Suggestions: more family friendly policies consistent across department like paid family leave, flexibility to go on sabbatical together as a couple, day care on campus, link benefits, “hot tub – buy it for us” , train search committee (we did implement this)

• Comment: “After 25 years as a dual career couple and working toward two full positions for twenty years and seeing changing OU views toward dual career couples, the situation is too complicated for simple bullets.”

Univ of Oklahoma Dual Career Couples 2006-2007

• 2007 Faculty Climate Survey of Colleges of Arts and Science, Engineering, and Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences:

• 59 out of 173 respondents report having a spouse who works at OU in some capacity

• 10 are STEM faculty who have a spouse who works at OU in some capacity

• 37 report having faculty spouse at OU

• 3 are STEM faculty who report having a STEM faculty spouse

• Found almost no significant differences between dual career and other respondents:

• Those with a spouse working at OU report teaching slightly fewer hours a week in an avg semester

• those with an OU faculty spouse report more negative perceptions of university climate.

Keri and NoelKeri Noel

2001 Began postdoc at TAMU Research leave from OU to TAMU

2002 TAMU Returned to OU, Tenure

2004 Assistant Professor at Grinnell College, Grinnell IA

Sabbatical – Norman and Spain

2005 Time apart is taking its toll---our priorities are shifting. A plan to co-locate evolves.

2006 Applies to OU Takes a semester leave from OU, comes to Iowa

2007 Wins a fellowship and comes to OU for the year

Submits request to the Dean for a new position in math dept.

2007 Married in July

2008 Assistant Professor at OU

2011 Tenure at OU Offered rotating position at NSF

A Question to Start Our Discussion

• Do good University practices help or does each couple have to decide/resolve this situation for themselves?

Going FORWARD

•One size does not fit all

•Open discussions and safe places for discussions are important

•University policies need strong leadership endorsement and follow-through

Resources• Dual-Career Academic Couples: What Universities

Need to Know, Londa Schiebinger, Andrea Davies Henderson, Shannon K. Gilmartin, Michelle Clayman Institute, Stanford University, 2008

• The University of Oklahoma 2007 Faculty Climate Survey, Summary Report, University of Oklahoma, NSF No. 0620102

• Academic Dual-career Couples Lifestyle Affects on Careers in Academe! Baker, K., B.S., M.S. The Ohio State University, 2004

WHY THE DUAL SCIENCE CAREER PROBLEM WHY THE DUAL SCIENCE CAREER PROBLEM DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS WOMENDISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS WOMEN

68% of married female physicists are married to scientists 68% of married female physicists are married to scientists (45% to physicists) (45% to physicists) (McNeil, Sher 1998)(McNeil, Sher 1998)

1990 AWIS survey of faculty reported 80% of the respondents had a 1990 AWIS survey of faculty reported 80% of the respondents had a partner who is in a tenured or a tenure-track faculty positionpartner who is in a tenured or a tenure-track faculty position (Didion 1996)(Didion 1996)

AWIS: women faculty are more likely to have academic partners (49%) AWIS: women faculty are more likely to have academic partners (49%) than are men faculty (12%) and that they are more likely to resign than are men faculty (12%) and that they are more likely to resign (21%) than are men (5%)(21%) than are men (5%)

Women, in our society, on average marry men who are somewhat Women, in our society, on average marry men who are somewhat older (~3 years). Thus men are farther along in their careers, and older (~3 years). Thus men are farther along in their careers, and less likely to make career sacrifices.less likely to make career sacrifices.

WHY THE DUAL SCIENCE CAREER PROBLEM WHY THE DUAL SCIENCE CAREER PROBLEM DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS WOMENDISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS WOMEN

Geographical isolation: 21.7% of the tenure-track faculty in metro areas(Drago 2003)

career disruption is clearly a career hindrance (Preston 2004) or maybe even a SEM career end(Mason 2005)

length of time between the PhD receipt and securing a permanent position is increasing (Nat’l Academies)

DATA ON WOMENDATA ON WOMEN

PhD women scientists and engineers still have higher rates of unemployment than men(NSF 2004)

Women are more likely than men to be involuntarily unemployed and underemployed(Long 2001)

60% of a 1998 sample of 620 physicists in dual-career couples said they had to take a lower level or non-scientific job in order to live and work within a reasonable geographical distance from their partners

Employment opportunities for partners represent a significant issue in faculty appointments and resignations(Burke 1998).

Maternity leave is often thought to be the overriding factor in resignations but a Maternity leave is often thought to be the overriding factor in resignations but a 1992 study showed that partner employment was a more likely reason1992 study showed that partner employment was a more likely reason(McElrath 1992)(McElrath 1992)

Obviously, women are more likely to experience negative career consequences as Obviously, women are more likely to experience negative career consequences as a result of leaving an academic position, making them less likely to achieve tenure a result of leaving an academic position, making them less likely to achieve tenure or taking longer to do soor taking longer to do so

ResourcesResources

Wolf-Wendel, L.B., Twombly, S., and Rice, S., The Two-Body ProblemDual-Career-Couple Hiring Practices in Higher Education, Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, 2004.

Lubchenko, J. & Menge, B. A. (1993). Split positions can provide a sane career track: A personal account. Bioscience, 43(4), 243-248

McNeil, L. and Sher, M., Report on the Dual-Career-Couple Survey, Physics Today, July 1999., also at http://www.physics.wm.edu/~sher/survey.html

APS has recently announced the Blewett Scholarship for women reentering the research arena

Freeland, E., Career Breaks, http://home.earthlink.net/~papagena/CareerBreaks.html

ResourcesResources

Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, http://www.norcalherc.org/

Southern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, http://www.socalherc.org/

Five Colleges, Inc., http://www.fivecolleges.edu/news/news_mellon.html

SOLUTIONS--POSITIVE RESPONSES, SUGGESTIONSSOLUTIONS--POSITIVE RESPONSES, SUGGESTIONSin the APS Survey Reportin the APS Survey Report

Shared/split positionsShared/split positions Spousal Hiring Programs e.g. @ Spousal Hiring Programs e.g. @ Wisconsin, Davis, Purdue, UIUC Wisconsin, Davis, Purdue, UIUC Alternative positions (academic)Alternative positions (academic)

Short-term postdocsShort-term postdocs Soft-money research positionsSoft-money research positions Adjunct professorshipsAdjunct professorships

Alternative positions (non-academic)Alternative positions (non-academic) CommutingCommuting Legal ResponsesLegal Responses

Anti-nepotism lawsAnti-nepotism laws How to respond to inappropriate questionsHow to respond to inappropriate questions

DUAL CAREER DUAL CAREER ACADEMIC COUPLESACADEMIC COUPLES

• Laurie McNeilLaurie McNeil• Marc SherMarc Sher

HISTORY OF THE SURVEYHISTORY OF THE SURVEY

Web-based survey ran from January to August, 1998Web-based survey ran from January to August, 1998 The response rate FAR exceeded our expectations.The response rate FAR exceeded our expectations. The APS sent copies of the 50 page report to every The APS sent copies of the 50 page report to every

department chair and dean in the USdepartment chair and dean in the US An 8 page summary was published in July 1999 in Physics An 8 page summary was published in July 1999 in Physics

Today.Today. As of 2004, there have been 30,000 downloads of the full As of 2004, there have been 30,000 downloads of the full

report.report. Appeared in Congressional testimony, positive feedback from Appeared in Congressional testimony, positive feedback from

DOE and NSFDOE and NSF

1. Is your partner also trained in science?1. Is your partner also trained in science? 2. Are you both trained in physics?2. Are you both trained in physics? 3. What is your partner3. What is your partner’’s scientific fields scientific field 4. What is your age?4. What is your age? 5. What is your partner5. What is your partner’’s age?s age? 6. Are you female or male?6. Are you female or male? 7. Is your partner female or male?7. Is your partner female or male? 8. If you and/or your partner have or plan to have children, has this affected your job choices or those of your partner?8. If you and/or your partner have or plan to have children, has this affected your job choices or those of your partner? 9. In what way did children affect your job choices or those of your partner?9. In what way did children affect your job choices or those of your partner? 10. In what type of job did you seek in your most recent job search?10. In what type of job did you seek in your most recent job search? 11. What type of job did you ultimately take?11. What type of job did you ultimately take? 12. What type of job did your partner seek in his/her most recent job search?12. What type of job did your partner seek in his/her most recent job search? 13. What type of job did your partner ultimately take?13. What type of job did your partner ultimately take? 14. Have you or your partner changed your long-term career goals?14. Have you or your partner changed your long-term career goals? 15. Have you or your partner changed your short-term career goals?15. Have you or your partner changed your short-term career goals? 16. In your most recent job search, did you or your partner take a lower-level science job, a non-scientific job (or no job) 16. In your most recent job search, did you or your partner take a lower-level science job, a non-scientific job (or no job)

as a result of issues involved in dual-science-career couples?as a result of issues involved in dual-science-career couples? 17. At what point in your most recent job search(s) did you first discuss with potential employers the fact that you were 17. At what point in your most recent job search(s) did you first discuss with potential employers the fact that you were

part of a dual-science-career couple?part of a dual-science-career couple?

18. What responses did your potential employer(s) make to your situation? Please include all recent job 18. What responses did your potential employer(s) make to your situation? Please include all recent job searches.searches.

19. What aspects of this response did you find to be particularly positive?19. What aspects of this response did you find to be particularly positive? 20. What would you have liked the potential employer to have done that was not done?20. What would you have liked the potential employer to have done that was not done? 21. At what point in your partner21. At what point in your partner’’s most recent job search(s) did she/he first discuss with potential s most recent job search(s) did she/he first discuss with potential

employers the fact that she/he was part of a dual science-career couple?employers the fact that she/he was part of a dual science-career couple? 22. What response(s) did your partner22. What response(s) did your partner’’s potential employer(s) make to your situation?s potential employer(s) make to your situation? 23. Do you know of specific positive or negative response(s) made to other couples in situations of this 23. Do you know of specific positive or negative response(s) made to other couples in situations of this

type? type? 24. If you selected one or both of the first two responses in question #23 (positive), please give details 24. If you selected one or both of the first two responses in question #23 (positive), please give details

(no individual names or identifying details will be given in the report).(no individual names or identifying details will be given in the report). 25. If you selected one of the second two responses in question #23 (negative), please give details (no 25. If you selected one of the second two responses in question #23 (negative), please give details (no

individual names or identifying details will be given in the report).individual names or identifying details will be given in the report). 26.What other comments on the dual-science-career situation would you like to make?26.What other comments on the dual-science-career situation would you like to make?

RESULTSRESULTS THERE WERE 620 RESPONSES!!THERE WERE 620 RESPONSES!! 89% had partners who were scientists (the others were generally in 89% had partners who were scientists (the others were generally in

academia).academia). 45% had partners who were physicists.45% had partners who were physicists. 57% were women.57% were women. Average age of females-- 37.1 yearsAverage age of females-- 37.1 years Average age of males -- 40.1 yearsAverage age of males -- 40.1 years (Median ages were 3 years lower)(Median ages were 3 years lower) Average male age minus average female age: 2.1 yearsAverage male age minus average female age: 2.1 years Most respondents presented very long, detailed narratives. A few Most respondents presented very long, detailed narratives. A few

gave us their names, and we would call them for more information. gave us their names, and we would call them for more information.

PROBLEMS----HOW INSTITUTIONS CAN MAKE THE PROBLEM PROBLEMS----HOW INSTITUTIONS CAN MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSEWORSE

Reduced consideration for members of dual-career Reduced consideration for members of dual-career couplescouples

Ignoring the problemIgnoring the problem Nepotism and resistance to considering hiring spouseNepotism and resistance to considering hiring spouse Captive spouses and insulting offersCaptive spouses and insulting offers Egregious remarksEgregious remarks

REDUCED CONSIDERATION FOR DUAL-CAREER COUPLESREDUCED CONSIDERATION FOR DUAL-CAREER COUPLES

The department chair called me at home and asked me several questions about my The department chair called me at home and asked me several questions about my marital status. He said that he knew these questions were illegal but that he was going to marital status. He said that he knew these questions were illegal but that he was going to ask them anyway and I could decline to answer them if I wanted. When he found out I ask them anyway and I could decline to answer them if I wanted. When he found out I was married to a physicist, he said there would be no opportunities for him to be employed was married to a physicist, he said there would be no opportunities for him to be employed in the area. He also said that they now screen all candidates because they have offered in the area. He also said that they now screen all candidates because they have offered jobs many times only to be turned down in the end because a spouse could not find a job. jobs many times only to be turned down in the end because a spouse could not find a job. A week later I called and found out I was totally off the list.A week later I called and found out I was totally off the list.

In several places, I was asked, even before the actual interview, if I would consider In several places, I was asked, even before the actual interview, if I would consider accepting the position even if my husband did not get an offer. My husband, on the other accepting the position even if my husband did not get an offer. My husband, on the other hand, never got this kind of question.hand, never got this kind of question.

I was asked where my husband would be working. It was made clear to me that if my I was asked where my husband would be working. It was made clear to me that if my husband did not have a job nearby, I would not be considered for the job.husband did not have a job nearby, I would not be considered for the job.

Interview was cut short when discovered husband was a scientist.Interview was cut short when discovered husband was a scientist. I was told that they had already decided not to pursue my application because they I was told that they had already decided not to pursue my application because they ““knewknew””

that I wouldnthat I wouldn’’t be interested in moving since my husband wasnt be interested in moving since my husband wasn’’t moving to a position in t moving to a position in the area……the area……

IGNORING THE PROBLEMIGNORING THE PROBLEM

One university simply expressed annoyance.One university simply expressed annoyance. My manager had felt that it wouldnMy manager had felt that it wouldn’’t be so difficult for my husband to find a job t be so difficult for my husband to find a job

there, he commented that his wife (a stenographer) had been able to find jobs there, he commented that his wife (a stenographer) had been able to find jobs anywhere.anywhere.

They said, They said, ““there are a lot of potential jobs in this geographic area--she should there are a lot of potential jobs in this geographic area--she should look for themlook for them””..

One chair said One chair said ““if women in physics want jobs, they shouldnif women in physics want jobs, they shouldn’’t marry scientistst marry scientists””..

NEPOTISM, RESISTANCE TO HIRING SPOUSENEPOTISM, RESISTANCE TO HIRING SPOUSE

I remember one senior male faculty member telling me how hard it is to get new I remember one senior male faculty member telling me how hard it is to get new professors, because so many of them had spouses who were scientists. The faculty professors, because so many of them had spouses who were scientists. The faculty member said he was not about to member said he was not about to ““burnburn”” a tenure slot just for somebody a tenure slot just for somebody’’s spouse.s spouse.

At my institution, a manager stated that he would not consider dual career couples in his At my institution, a manager stated that he would not consider dual career couples in his section because it section because it ““always leads to troublealways leads to trouble””

One cited anti-nepotism rules as making it impossible to consider both of us (the rules One cited anti-nepotism rules as making it impossible to consider both of us (the rules hadnhadn’’t existed for years….)t existed for years….)

When the trailing partner is female, employers assume sheWhen the trailing partner is female, employers assume she’’s less qualified and will accept s less qualified and will accept a substandard positiona substandard position

We both made the short lists for several faculty searches. In every case, we told the We both made the short lists for several faculty searches. In every case, we told the search committee about our situation before we agreed to visit. In two cases (where the search committee about our situation before we agreed to visit. In two cases (where the male was the candidate), the search committee seemed to indicate that the two-body male was the candidate), the search committee seemed to indicate that the two-body problem was too complicated for them to solve. In two cases (where the female was the problem was too complicated for them to solve. In two cases (where the female was the candidate), the committee indicated that they could help.candidate), the committee indicated that they could help.

One dept. chair said that trying to find two jobs was a bad strategy and that things worked One dept. chair said that trying to find two jobs was a bad strategy and that things worked best if one partner took the best job available and the other stopped working.best if one partner took the best job available and the other stopped working.

They suggested that I might consider giving up my career.They suggested that I might consider giving up my career.

CAPTIVE SPOUSESCAPTIVE SPOUSES

Two extremely talented scientists. The husband, a little ahead chronologically in his Two extremely talented scientists. The husband, a little ahead chronologically in his career, has tenure at a large university. The wife is doing research and teaching at the career, has tenure at a large university. The wife is doing research and teaching at the same university on soft money. Despite her glowing teaching and publication records, she same university on soft money. Despite her glowing teaching and publication records, she has been constantly passed over on recent job searches. Documents, secretly released has been constantly passed over on recent job searches. Documents, secretly released to her, seem to indicate the search committee hopes she will just stay, on her soft money, to her, seem to indicate the search committee hopes she will just stay, on her soft money, ““after all, her husband has tenure. Why waste a real job on her?after all, her husband has tenure. Why waste a real job on her?””

They gave her a desk, and ultimately a title, though no salary (although the university They gave her a desk, and ultimately a title, though no salary (although the university takes overhead on her grants). She is forbidden to use the department secretaries for takes overhead on her grants). She is forbidden to use the department secretaries for grant preparation, however.grant preparation, however.

She has been an instructor for 15 years now, with low pay and a heavy teaching load, and She has been an instructor for 15 years now, with low pay and a heavy teaching load, and despite this she has been successful at attracting grants and publishing papers. She despite this she has been successful at attracting grants and publishing papers. She recently led a successful fight at our university to win the right to submit grant proposals recently led a successful fight at our university to win the right to submit grant proposals under her own name rather than having the chair as her P.I.under her own name rather than having the chair as her P.I.

My institution has a long history of hiring the wives of professors into soft money positions My institution has a long history of hiring the wives of professors into soft money positions with no possibility of independent research or of consideration for hiring into a tenure-track with no possibility of independent research or of consideration for hiring into a tenure-track position.position.

EGREGIOUS REMARKSEGREGIOUS REMARKS

One professor suggested to my husband at his interview that one way to solve the two-One professor suggested to my husband at his interview that one way to solve the two-body problem was to divorce me.body problem was to divorce me.

““told candidate that spouse shouldntold candidate that spouse shouldn’’t be working anywayt be working anyway”” One suggested that I should be available to do One suggested that I should be available to do ““volunteervolunteer”” scientific work, because it was scientific work, because it was

my partnermy partner’’s role to support the family.s role to support the family. I was told that I should be able to find a lab work in, as long as I was willing to change I was told that I should be able to find a lab work in, as long as I was willing to change

fields and didnfields and didn’’t expect to be paid; if I t expect to be paid; if I ““needed to be paidneeded to be paid””, I might be able to teach , I might be able to teach introductory calculus.introductory calculus.

Her last request for a raise was met with the response that she didnHer last request for a raise was met with the response that she didn’’t need a raise t need a raise because her partner was well-paid as a full professor.because her partner was well-paid as a full professor.

SOLUTIONS--POSITIVE RESPONSES, SUGGESTIONSSOLUTIONS--POSITIVE RESPONSES, SUGGESTIONS

Shared/split positionsShared/split positions DefinitionDefinition Advantages/disadvantagesAdvantages/disadvantages

Spousal Hiring ProgramsSpousal Hiring Programs Alternative positions (academic)Alternative positions (academic)

Short-term postdocsShort-term postdocs Soft-money research positionsSoft-money research positions Adjunct professorshipsAdjunct professorships

Alternative positions (non-academic)Alternative positions (non-academic) CommutingCommuting Legal ResponsesLegal Responses

Anti-nepotism lawsAnti-nepotism laws How to respond to inappropriate questionsHow to respond to inappropriate questions

SHARED/SPLIT POSITIONSSHARED/SPLIT POSITIONS

Definition: A single FTE position is broken into two positions. In a split position, Definition: A single FTE position is broken into two positions. In a split position, each person has a 0.5 FTE position and is evaluated separately. Requirements each person has a 0.5 FTE position and is evaluated separately. Requirements for promotion, merit and tenure are half of a regular faculty position. In a for promotion, merit and tenure are half of a regular faculty position. In a shared position, the two people fill a single FTE, sharing the salary, workload, shared position, the two people fill a single FTE, sharing the salary, workload, etc. The single position is evaluated for promotion, merit and tenure.etc. The single position is evaluated for promotion, merit and tenure.

Obvious question: why would a couple think about doing this? It seems to be Obvious question: why would a couple think about doing this? It seems to be the financial equivalent of one quitting completely.the financial equivalent of one quitting completely.

ADVANTAGES TO SHARED/SPLIT POSITIONSADVANTAGES TO SHARED/SPLIT POSITIONS

Although the institution pays 1.0 salaries, they can each get summer salary, Although the institution pays 1.0 salaries, they can each get summer salary, and they can make additional salary by adjunct teaching (or doing consulting or and they can make additional salary by adjunct teaching (or doing consulting or something else) during the off-semester. Total salaries of 1.5-1.6 FTEs are not something else) during the off-semester. Total salaries of 1.5-1.6 FTEs are not atypical.atypical.

This may be the only way that both can stay active in science, continuing This may be the only way that both can stay active in science, continuing research and teaching.research and teaching.

Much more flexibility with scheduling, child-rearing, etc. Most in these positions Much more flexibility with scheduling, child-rearing, etc. Most in these positions feel that the 0.4-0.5 FTE salary loss is well worth the extra time available for feel that the 0.4-0.5 FTE salary loss is well worth the extra time available for children.children.

Institution gets two faculty members for the price of one, with more options for Institution gets two faculty members for the price of one, with more options for research funding.research funding.

The faculty members are MUCH more likely to stay; stability and loyalty are The faculty members are MUCH more likely to stay; stability and loyalty are valuable.valuable.

Role models for female students.Role models for female students.

DISADVANTAGES TO SHARED/SPLIT POSITIONSDISADVANTAGES TO SHARED/SPLIT POSITIONS

Obvious financial disadvantages. Will not get 2.0 salaries.Obvious financial disadvantages. Will not get 2.0 salaries.There is a tendency for institutions to exploit the situation, assigning more than There is a tendency for institutions to exploit the situation, assigning more than

0.5 FTE worth of teaching, committee work, etc.0.5 FTE worth of teaching, committee work, etc.Potential pitfalls if one is worthy of tenure and the other is not.Potential pitfalls if one is worthy of tenure and the other is not.Most institutions have no knowledge of these possibilities.Most institutions have no knowledge of these possibilities.

In the report, we discuss these positions in much more detail, including a couple In the report, we discuss these positions in much more detail, including a couple of sample contracts.of sample contracts.

SPOUSAL HIRING PROGRAMSSPOUSAL HIRING PROGRAMS

If the two candidates are in different disciplines (very often two different If the two candidates are in different disciplines (very often two different sciences), split/shared positions are not an option.sciences), split/shared positions are not an option.

There are spousal hiring programs (for couples both at faculty rank in different There are spousal hiring programs (for couples both at faculty rank in different departments) at Wisconsin, Davis, Purdue, UIUC and others.departments) at Wisconsin, Davis, Purdue, UIUC and others.

Typically (with wide variations), the spouseTypically (with wide variations), the spouse’’s salary is split, with 1/3 coming from s salary is split, with 1/3 coming from the original department, 1/3 from the spousethe original department, 1/3 from the spouse’’s department and 1/3 from the s department and 1/3 from the ProvostProvost’’s office. This lasts for 3-5 years, and then if tenure is likely, it reverts to s office. This lasts for 3-5 years, and then if tenure is likely, it reverts to the spousethe spouse’’s department.s department.

Details are given in the survey report.Details are given in the survey report.

SPOUSE/PARTNER HIRINGSPOUSE/PARTNER HIRING

If the spouse is not suitable for a faculty position, then it is ESSENTIAL for If the spouse is not suitable for a faculty position, then it is ESSENTIAL for large institutions to have a permanent staff member whose primary role is to large institutions to have a permanent staff member whose primary role is to find employment (both on and off campus) for a spouse/partner. find employment (both on and off campus) for a spouse/partner.

Purdue has a 3/4 time staff member who does this. She finds positions for Purdue has a 3/4 time staff member who does this. She finds positions for roughly 50 spouses/partners of newly-hired faculty per year. These positions roughly 50 spouses/partners of newly-hired faculty per year. These positions are sometime on-campus (post-docs, adjunct, etc.) or off-campus. are sometime on-campus (post-docs, adjunct, etc.) or off-campus.

She will also facilitate arranging for She will also facilitate arranging for ““spousal bridge programsspousal bridge programs”” for a for a spouse/partner who is suitable for faculty rank but for whom no position in their spouse/partner who is suitable for faculty rank but for whom no position in their disciplinediscipline’’s department is currently available. These programs can provide s department is currently available. These programs can provide bridge positions until the next retirement occurs (often the department will be bridge positions until the next retirement occurs (often the department will be interested in hiring a spouse, but will not have a position in the appropriate interested in hiring a spouse, but will not have a position in the appropriate subfield that particular year).subfield that particular year).

These spousal hiring programs are usually only possible for large (>15,000 These spousal hiring programs are usually only possible for large (>15,000 students) universities---smaller institutions generally donstudents) universities---smaller institutions generally don’’t have the resources t have the resources for a formal program.for a formal program.

ALTERNATIVE POSITIONS (ACADEMIC)ALTERNATIVE POSITIONS (ACADEMIC)

These are generally needed in the more common instance in which there is a These are generally needed in the more common instance in which there is a disparity in the respective stages of the coupledisparity in the respective stages of the couple’’s careers.s careers.

Short term postdocsShort term postdocs Not particularly difficult to arrange, departments can provide full or partial Not particularly difficult to arrange, departments can provide full or partial

funding for a few years. funding for a few years. After the postdoc, department will be aware of the potential of the spouse After the postdoc, department will be aware of the potential of the spouse

(especially if they(especially if they’’ve volunteered to teach).ve volunteered to teach). They will then have an incentive to either create a long-term position, or risk They will then have an incentive to either create a long-term position, or risk

losing both partners.losing both partners. Initially for the first five years, I had a part-time job at the University and Initially for the first five years, I had a part-time job at the University and

therefore our department knew about my teaching and research abilities. Thus therefore our department knew about my teaching and research abilities. Thus when they had a tenure-track opening, they hired me.when they had a tenure-track opening, they hired me.

The institution was very helpful. They spoke with my partnerThe institution was very helpful. They spoke with my partner’’s department to s department to locate a part-time position. This turned into a full time tenure-track position later locate a part-time position. This turned into a full time tenure-track position later on.on.

Soft-money research positionsSoft-money research positions All of the salary comes from grants or contracts. All of the salary comes from grants or contracts. Sometimes they are research faculty and can vote in faculty meetings, serve on Sometimes they are research faculty and can vote in faculty meetings, serve on

committees, teach, etc.committees, teach, etc. Institutions can provide partial support, especially at the beginning.Institutions can provide partial support, especially at the beginning. But -- But -- It is very frustrating for female PhD spouses to be second class citizens at It is very frustrating for female PhD spouses to be second class citizens at

home campuses and yet enjoy national/international recognition by peers home campuses and yet enjoy national/international recognition by peers globally. The stress of such a position is serious and ignored!globally. The stress of such a position is serious and ignored!””

Adjunct positionsAdjunct positions Part-time, usually on a per course basis ($1000 per credit hour is above Part-time, usually on a per course basis ($1000 per credit hour is above

average).average). Unstable, requiring begging for classes each semester.Unstable, requiring begging for classes each semester. Not second-class citizens, but non-citizensNot second-class citizens, but non-citizens Little chance for researchLittle chance for research Often, the first step on the road out of science. But it at least keeps brain cells Often, the first step on the road out of science. But it at least keeps brain cells

metabolizing.metabolizing. UNIVERSITIES CAN MAKE THESE MUCH MORE PALATABLEUNIVERSITIES CAN MAKE THESE MUCH MORE PALATABLE

Longer term contracts.Longer term contracts. Institutional recognition (awards)Institutional recognition (awards) Funding for travel to conferences.Funding for travel to conferences. Re-entry funding from federal agenciesRe-entry funding from federal agencies

ALTERNATIVE POSITIONS (NON-ACADEMIC)ALTERNATIVE POSITIONS (NON-ACADEMIC)

Primary function of Primary function of ““spousal hiring programsspousal hiring programs”” is to find off-campus employment. is to find off-campus employment. Availability of this resource can be made known to ALL candidates before they Availability of this resource can be made known to ALL candidates before they

interview, and they can make contacts directly.interview, and they can make contacts directly. Details in report.Details in report.

COMMUTINGCOMMUTING

A sizable percentage of dual-career couples spend some period commuting. A sizable percentage of dual-career couples spend some period commuting. ((““commutingcommuting”” means two residences, far apart) means two residences, far apart)

He was a postdoc in Europe and later worked on the East Coast while I finished my degree in California. He was a postdoc in Europe and later worked on the East Coast while I finished my degree in California. These long term and long distance separations may be bearable (but unpleasant) when there are no These long term and long distance separations may be bearable (but unpleasant) when there are no family obligations, but I would not see themfamily obligations, but I would not see them

We were a cross-country commuter marriage for 3.5 years. My impression was that most male We were a cross-country commuter marriage for 3.5 years. My impression was that most male colleagues did not approve of this living arrangement. It could have terminated our marriage; in the end, colleagues did not approve of this living arrangement. It could have terminated our marriage; in the end, not without effort, it made it stronger.not without effort, it made it stronger.

We are currently living 1000 miles apart. She has been told that there are at least 5 other science faculty We are currently living 1000 miles apart. She has been told that there are at least 5 other science faculty at the institution who are living away from their spouses.at the institution who are living away from their spouses.

Being tenure-track at two different universities separated by 900 miles, we have had to postpone having Being tenure-track at two different universities separated by 900 miles, we have had to postpone having children. Like many academics, neither of us had children during graduate school. So we are now facing children. Like many academics, neither of us had children during graduate school. So we are now facing the situation of having children at a time in our lives when most people choose to stop having childrenthe situation of having children at a time in our lives when most people choose to stop having children

We decided to try to get pregnant, but we each have tenure at institutions separated by 270 miles. We decided to try to get pregnant, but we each have tenure at institutions separated by 270 miles. WeWe’’ve been otherwise doing well with ve been otherwise doing well with ““the Commutethe Commute”” but the decision to have children changed this---we but the decision to have children changed this---we began applying for jobs elsewhere.began applying for jobs elsewhere.

My wife left a very nice teaching position at an outstanding University which was 3 hours away by car to My wife left a very nice teaching position at an outstanding University which was 3 hours away by car to start a family.start a family.

No easy solutionsNo easy solutions Some couples alternate semesters at two institutions (possible if no children)Some couples alternate semesters at two institutions (possible if no children) With sabbaticals every seven years, support for visiting scientists, summers, With sabbaticals every seven years, support for visiting scientists, summers,

one additional unpaid leave every year, couples can be together 80% of the one additional unpaid leave every year, couples can be together 80% of the time with only a small loss of salary.time with only a small loss of salary.

Telecommuting opens up more options.Telecommuting opens up more options. For relatively short commutes (300 miles), allowing one day off per week can For relatively short commutes (300 miles), allowing one day off per week can

help greatly.help greatly.

NEPOTISM LAWS AND INAPPROPRIATE QUESTIONSNEPOTISM LAWS AND INAPPROPRIATE QUESTIONS

Nepotism laws have disappeared in most states. In fields with a gender Nepotism laws have disappeared in most states. In fields with a gender imbalance, they violate federal (US) lawsimbalance, they violate federal (US) laws

Inappropriate questions are common. In MOST interviews of women Inappropriate questions are common. In MOST interviews of women candidates for faculty positions, illegal questions are asked.candidates for faculty positions, illegal questions are asked.

Suggestions for responding are in report.Suggestions for responding are in report.

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS

Recognize the existence of the problem and prepare to deal with it. Recognize the existence of the problem and prepare to deal with it. Establish (Establish (beforebefore searches begin) policies regarding split/shared positions and searches begin) policies regarding split/shared positions and

spousal hiring programs. These do not have to be formal policies, but the spousal hiring programs. These do not have to be formal policies, but the University Administration may need to move very quickly when the situation University Administration may need to move very quickly when the situation arises (on a time scale of days or weeks).arises (on a time scale of days or weeks).

Establish an office with someone dedicated to finding positions for Establish an office with someone dedicated to finding positions for spouses/partners. An institution with 27,000 students would need at spouses/partners. An institution with 27,000 students would need at leastleast a a half-time, and preferably a full-time, position, filled by someone who knows both half-time, and preferably a full-time, position, filled by someone who knows both the institution and the surrounding area very well.the institution and the surrounding area very well.

Inform short-list candidates about this office and other possibilities. If Inform short-list candidates about this office and other possibilities. If allall candidates, regardless of marital status, are informed, this is legal. It is best candidates, regardless of marital status, are informed, this is legal. It is best done in a form letter (so inappropriate questions arendone in a form letter (so inappropriate questions aren’’t asked).t asked).

Watch carefully for inappropriate questions, and take disciplinary action against Watch carefully for inappropriate questions, and take disciplinary action against repeat violators.repeat violators.

In Canada, something similar to the NSF Fellows program should be begun.In Canada, something similar to the NSF Fellows program should be begun.