Spanish 2008-2009

List Information
Welcome to the Spanish Job Seekers wiki for 2008-2009! This is intended as a collaborative space for all job seekers to pool their resources. ¡Suerte!

''If you know anyone involved in the Spanish job search this year, please tell them about this page. The more people who use it and update it, the more useful it will be.''

WIKI COUNTER I'm on the market and I'm... ... ABD, but defending real soon now: 37  ... ABD, not defending real soon: 3  ... I am about to file my dissertation (no defense where I am): 1 ... a Ph.D., but still at my degree-granting institution: 3 ... in a post-doctoral position (ABD or with degree in hand): 3 ... a visiting assistant professor or adjunct position: 12  ... in a tenure-track position: 5  ... in a tenured position: </li> ... in a non-academic position: 1 </li> Actually, I'm just lurking: 2 </li></ul>

Offers Made
[NOTE: Please add the school at the bottom of the list and put the date in parenthesis. Thanks.]


 *  Carleton College (thirdhand knowledge, from a competing candidate)
 *  U of North Texas (12/15)[Congratulations!]
 *  Macalester College (accepted 12/16)[Congratulations!]
 *  U of North Dakota (accepted 12/17) [Congratulations!]
 *  Lawerence University (accepted before MLA)[Congratulations!]
 *  Muskingum College (thirdhand knowledge, :
 *  U of Indianapolis (accepted 1/14, secondhand knowledge)
 *  U of Wisconsin (Green Bay)???
 *  McKendree U (secondhand knowledge 2/4)
 *  St Michael's C (last week Jan)[Congratulations!]
 *  Sewannee (U of the South) (accepted first week of feb, secondhand knowlegde) Q:WHICH POSITION? A: Colonial LA
 *  U of Colorado Boulder (accepted, secondhand knowledge) [Congratulations!]
 *  UNCG, Spanish (accepted 02/9))[Congratulations!]
 *  West Virginia University (thirdhand knowledge, from a competing candidate) Q: Which position, Peninsular or Latin American? A: Latin American.
 * <li> Texas Christian University (pre-19th C) (accepted 2/11)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> West Chester U (offer accepted; there were 2 positions)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Lafayette College (accepted 2/13) [Congratulations!]
 * <li> Doane College (2/12 e-mail from Doane)
 * <li> Colorado College (accepted 2/12)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Wake Forest (2/12 secondhand knowledge) Q: Which position? Accepted? A.Linguistics,accepted.[Congratulations!]
 * <li> U of Iowa 2/12 [Congratulations!] Q: Which position? Accepted?
 * <li> Princeton - luso brazilian (2/13, thirdhand knowledge) Q: Accepted? Totally sure, the candidate already accepted.[Congratulations!] Q: Any word on the Latin Americanist position?
 * <li> Wartburg (2/13, thirdhand knowledge; accepted 2/6)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Gettysburg College (accepted 2/16)[Congratulations! it was a great offer!]
 * <li> Washington University in St. Louis (Comp. Lit. and Spanish Peninsularist, offer accepted)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Kenyon College (2/16, accepted)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Trinity University (San Antonio); do not know when extended or if offer has been accepted
 * <li> Middlebury C (accepted)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Butler University (accepted)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Loras College (accepted)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Saint Anselm College (accepted 2/17)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Illinois State U (2/17)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> University of Scranton (2/17)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> University of Texas at Austin (US Latin@ist offered)
 * <li> Dartmouth College (02/03, accepted 02/18) (Golden Age)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Swanee The University of the South, Position B (turned down 02/17)
 * <li> University of Alabama (turned down 02/18) I heard they also refrained from reimbursing some candidates for the plane tickets. Pretty embarrassing.
 * <li> Texas State U (turned down 02/18) (and one candidate withdrew after campus visit, inside knowledge) Q: What's the deal? A: The other 3rd candidate should have received offer by now.
 * <li> Ursinus College (offer accepted 2/20)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> California SU @ Long Beach (02/16)
 * <li> Westfield State College (2/23, accepted)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Ohio Wesleyan University (2/13, accepted)[Congratulations!]
 * <li> Berkeley (CATEGORICALLY, RESOUNDINGLY CONFIRMED)

Campus Interviews Scheduled
[NOTE: When you list a school, please add the school at the bottom of the list and put the date in parenthesis. Thanks.]


 * <li> Carleton College (Nov. 2-4, mid November)
 * <li> Muskingum College (first week of December)
 * <li> U of North Dakota (second week of December)
 * <li> U of Otago
 * <li> SUNY Albany (12/4, email)
 * <li> Stephen Austin State U (phone call 12/11)
 * <li> Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (12/13) Jan-Feb
 * <li> Rutgers University at Newark (phone call, Luso-brazilian position, week of Dec 15th)
 * <li> Loras College (12/12) Feb
 * <li> University of Toronto (12/17 email) For January. No MLA interviews, but 4 candidates for campus visits.
 * <li> Bennington College (12/19, phone) for late February
 * <li> Colorado State (12/19, phone)
 * <li> University of Dallas (12/20 email)
 * <li> College of William and Mary (email 12/22 for Feb)What position A: Transatlantic
 * <li> Berkeley (12/29 CONFIRMED)
 * <li> U of Colorado Boulder (12/29)
 * <li> The University of the South (12/29)
 * <li> Lafayette College (email in MLA 12/29)
 * <li> Washington and Jefferson C. (call at MLA)
 * <li> Colorado College (Assistant prof. Latin Am. 01/04)
 * <li> California State University @ Long Beach (email in MLA 12/30)
 * <li> West Virginia University (email in MLA 12/29)Peninsular o Latinoamericana?? A: Latinoamericana and Peninsular
 * <li> Marlboro (email in MLA, 12/29)
 * <li> Scripps (email/phone call, 1/2)
 * <li> University of Scranton (phone call 1/7) Feb
 * <li> Colby College (position "B") (phone call 1/6)
 * <li> Southern Methodist (email 1/6 ack. names have been forwarded to dean)
 * <li> Princeton (c. 1/7; luso-brazilian and Lat. Am.)
 * <li> Western Michigan (call 1/7)
 * <li> Baker University (phone call, 1/8)
 * <li> Monmouth College(email, 1/8)
 * <li> Texas State U (1/8)
 * <li> Temple U (1/6)
 * <li> Kenyon C (1/6)
 * <li> Colby College (position Golden Age) (1/8)
 * <li> LVC (email 1/8)
 * <li> Dartmouth College (1/8) Golden Age, email and then call
 * <li> William and Mary (before MLA)
 * <li> UNC Chapel Hill (1/8)
 * <li> Rice (candidates invited right after MLA-secondhand knowledge)
 * <li> Mt St Mary College (email, 1/8)
 * <li> Ursinus College (phone call, 1/9)
 * <li> TCU (Golden Age, 1/9)
 * <li> Saint Michael's College (1/9)
 * <li> Cal Poly Pomona (1/6)
 * <li> UT Austin (email, 1/9)
 * <li> West Texas A&M (Phone call, 1/9)
 * <li> Grand Valley State U (email, 1/9)
 * <li> Alfred University (Phone call, 1/12)
 * <li> Hendrix College (1/13)
 * <li> Seattle U (phone call, 1/13)
 * <li> Butler U (email, phone call 1/13)
 * <li> Illinois State (phone call, 1/13)
 * <li> Trinity C (phone call 1/14)
 * <li> U of Florida (email, 1/14) Literature
 * <li> Gettysburg College (phone call, 1/9)
 * <li> Middlebury, (Spanish) date unknown; word of mouth
 * <li> UNCG (date unknown)
 * <li> West Chester (1/16 x2)
 * <li> Central Michigan (1/16)Q: World Lit or Spanish-Generalist? A. Spanish-Generalist
 * <li> Oakland University (1/16)
 * <li> Holy Cross (1/15 email) '''Q: Which position exactly?
 * <li> Ohio Wesleyan Univ. (1/16 phone call)
 * <li> U of Iowa (2-nd hand knowledge. week of 1/13)
 * <li> Tulane (week of 1/12) Spanish A.And Luso-Brazilian (1/19 email)
 * <li> Tufts(email, 1/19)
 * <li> Union College (email, 1/20)
 * <li> Alabama (email and phone, 1/21)
 * <li> Augustana C (email, 1/22) Q: Which position? A. Spanish Golden Age - AND LatAm Lit.
 * <li> University of Chicago. The position has been canceled.Q: Why?
 * <li> Albright College (email 1/21)
 * <li> Cal State Los Angeles (e-mail 1/22)
 * <li> UA Little Rock (e-mail, 1/22, Latin American)
 * <li> Wake Forest '''Q: which position? date?  email/phone? A. Linguistics (candidates invited before MLA -secondhand knowledge)
 * <li> University of Michigan (four candidates are slated for campus visits in January)
 * <li> Columbia (Latin Americanist)
 * <li> Oklahoma State
 * <li> WUSL (French/Peninsular). '''Q: Date? Email/phone? French or Spanish Peninsularist?
 * <li> CUNY Queens College (phone call 1/28 for Latin American position) Q. Wasn't this for trans-Atlantic? A. Actually, I think they are looking for a Latinamericanist/Mexicanist. Q: Peninsularist? A. Phone call 1/29.
 * <li> George Washington University (Spanish specialist) email 1/25 Q: Phone interview before or directly campus visit invitation?Phone interview before
 * <li> Mercer University
 * <li> Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (email 1/29)
 * <li> Eastern Michigan U (Phone call 1/29)
 * <li> U of Alabama (phone call 2/2)
 * <li> Westfield State College (early Feb)
 * <li> Fisk University (phone call 2/9; search temporarily suspended 2/10)
 * <li> Meredith College (phone call 1/5)
 * <li> University of Puget Sound, Peninsular, visiting (2/14 for early March)
 * <li> Guilford College (visits were in early Feb.)
 * <li> Sul Ross State University (2/19 for March)
 * <li> Western Oregon University (email 2/16 for last week in Feb)
 * <li> Wisconsin Superior (2/22 for early March)
 * <li> Swarthmore College (2/3 for early Feb)
 * <li> Augusta State university (for mid March)
 * <li> George Washington University (for early March)
 * <li> Rockford College (2/27)

Phone Interviews Scheduled
[NOTE: When you list a school, please go ahead and indicate whether or not you received a phone call or an e-mail. Please list in chronological order. Thanks.]


 * <li> Carleton C (Oct)
 * <li> SUNY Albany (mid Nov; campus visits in Feb)
 * <li> U of North Texas (11/14)
 * <li> Muskingum College (11/17)
 * <li> McKendree University (12/1, 12/3)
 * <li> Mercer University (11/17-21)
 * <li> U of Missouri - St. Louis (11/11)Which position? linguistics? A: Spanish (Assistant Teaching Prof)
 * <li> Northern State University - SD (11/14)
 * <li> South Carolina Aiken - SC (11/20)
 * <li> Meredith College (11/22)
 * <li> Macalester College (Nov)
 * <li> U of Otago (Nov)
 * <li> Doane College (Nov)
 * <li> Loras College (12/08)
 * <li> Stephen F Austin State U (12/4)
 * <li> University of Wisconsin Green Bay (Nov)
 * <li> University of Utah (12/4 phone call)
 * <li> University of West Georgia (12/5)
 * <li> Temple University (12/5, phone call)
 * <li> College of William and Mary (12/5, email)
 * <li> California State Los Angeles (12/5, email) 12/8-12/9
 * <li> U Wisconsin, River Falls (12/5, email)
 * <li> U of Wyoming (12/6, email)
 * <li> Texas A&M U Corpus Christi (12/6, phone call)
 * <li> Illinois State U (12/8, phone call)
 * <li> UNC Charlotte (12/8, email)
 * <li> Utah State (12/8 email)
 * <li> University of Massachusetts, Amherst (12/9, email)
 * <li> Wells College (12/9, e-mail)
 * <li> Bennington College (12/11, e-mail)
 * <li> Texas Tech (secondhand knowledge; a friend had a phone interview with them today, 12/11)
 * <li> Calvin College (12/12, email)
 * <li> Colorado State (12/16, phone, Mexicanist)
 * <li> University of southern indiana (12/16, phone)
 * <li> Capital University (ack. letter 12/17, 12/16: will finish reviewing Jan 9th and establish phone interviews then)
 * <li> University of Alabama (12/18 phone call - interview second week of Jan)
 * <li> C of New Rochelle (12/28 email - first week Jan)
 * <li> WestChester (1/8, phone)Linguistics
 * <li> Western Illinois University (1/8, email)
 * <li> Wake Forest (1/12)
 * <li> U of Texas, Pan American (email 1/14)
 * <li> Wilkes Honors College (1/17, e-mail)
 * <li> Western Oregon University (1/20, e-mail)
 * <li> Lynchburg College (1/19, phone)
 * <li> Williams College (1/22, e-mail)
 * <li> Utah State -- Brigham City (1/23, e-mail)
 * <li> Radford U (1/29) Q: Is this a campus visit or a phone interview post-MLA?
 * <li> Fayetteville SU (1/29) Q: Isn't this position canceled?
 * <li> Montclair SU (1/29)Q: is this post- MLA? They interviewed there A: A friend has a campus visit scheduled, not a phone interview.
 * <li> Case Western Reserve U (1/30, phone call, 1/30 email)
 * <li> U Wisconsin Superior (1/30 -- yes, after an MLA interview)
 * <li> Fisk University (e/mail 1/30; interviews 2/3-2/5)
 * <li> Sul Ross State University (email 2/6)
 * <li> Capital University (02/07,(phone call)
 * <li> Franklin College (2/16, phone call)
 * <li> Drake University (2/16, email)
 * <li> University of Redlands (Golden Age) (2/20, phone call)
 * <li> Trinity Christian College
 * <li> Catholic U of America (Visiting, email 2/11)

MLA Interviews Scheduled
Link to MLA Interviews 2008

Rejections after MLA *
[NOTE: *This new category should let us distinguish applications rejected before MLA from rejections to candidates interviewed at the MLA who will not be invited for campus visits]


 * <li> Colby College, Position C (01/08, e-mail)
 * <li> Lafayette College (1/13 e-mail)
 * <li> University of Iowa (1/14 e-mail)
 * <li> University of Indianapolis (1/15 email)
 * <li> Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1/15 email)
 * <li> Seattle University (1/16 mail)
 * <li> Washington and Lee University (1/13 mail)
 * <li> U of Richmond (letter rcd. 1/20)
 * <li> U of Ontario (letter rcd. 1/22) Q. What university if this? Is it in Canada?
 * <li> SMU, letter rcd. 1/26, no MLA interview
 * <li> U of Sydney (Australia), email rcd. 1/27
 * <li> Adelphi, letter 1/28
 * <li> Saint Joseph's college, email 1/28
 * <li> Colorado College (email 2/9)
 * <li> College of New Rochelle (letter, 2/9 x 2; no MLA interview) - Strange, though, in that they suspended their search
 * <li> Boston University
 * <li> Mercyhurst College
 * <li> UC Riverside, letter in mail arrived to NY state 2/21
 * <li> Central Michigan (letter, 2/23)
 * <li> Mount St. Mary (letter, 2/20)

Rejections before MLA
Link to Rejections before MLA

Canceled Searches
[NOTE: When you list a school, please go ahead and indicate whether or not you received a phone call or an e-mail. Please add to the bottom of the list. Thanks.]


 * <li> Albion C
 * <li> George Mason
 * <li> Catholic U (converted into Visiting Professor search)
 * <li> Connecticut College
 * <li> U of Virginia
 * <li> Miami U of Ohio
 * <li> Villanova (letter)
 * <li> UC-San Diego (Portuguese, 11/19, email)
 * <li> Converse College (letter, 11/22)
 * <li> Saint Joseph's University (around 11/25)
 * <li> University of California, Irvine (letter, 11/26)
 * <li> Claremont McKenna (Latin Americanist; email, 11/27 x2)
 * <li> UNCG - Not the latin americanist position.
 * <li> University of Pittsburgh (letter, 12/1 and 12/10)
 * <li> Florida State University---colonial latin american (letter, 12/04)
 * <li> Rowan U (email, 12/2)
 * <li> University of South Carolina - all three positions (no contact - on website)
 * <li> SUNY Stony Brook: the 20th Century Latin American position has been frozen (email, 1/6 x2)
 * <li> Dartmouth: postponed (email, 12/9) -- professorship of Portuguese. For this year, it's still up as a visiting position.
 * <li> U of Washington (email, 12/10 x 3)
 * <li> University of Massachusetts, Amherst (email, 12/13)
 * <li> Muhlenberg College (email 12/15 x 5), Latin American Position
 * <li> Calgary University, Canada (email 12/16 they have just sent out letters)
 * <li> Maryville College(12/17, letter)
 * <li> Reed College (Peninsular and Latin American; 12/17 Letter x 2)
 * <li> Arizona State University (email 12/18), Golden Age/Medieval. (converted into Visiting Professor search)
 * <li> U of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Peninsular (email, 12/19).
 * <li> Siena College (letter, 12/20 x2)
 * <li> High Point U. (12/22 letter)
 * <li> Siena College (12/22)
 * <li> Wilkes (12/22)What is the source of this information? I recently called asking about the status of the search and they said it's not cancelled. [Source: E-mail dated 12/22 indicating search suspended]
 * <li> UNC Charlotte (postponing search due to uncertainty of available funds)
 * <li> Drury University (email 12/5)
 * <li> U Minnesota Morris (email 1/6)
 * <li> SUNY Stony Brook (email 1/6)
 * <li> College of New Rochelle (email 1/12)
 * <li> Coastal Carolina University (email 1/14) (the search for this position has been put on hold because of economic situation)(1/27: I got an email saying it was back.)
 * <li> University of Missouri Saint Louis
 * <li> Colorado State University @ Fort Collins (phone call 1/16) The CSU has a new hiring freeze.
 * <li> Northern Illinois University (letter 1/29)
 * <li> The University of Chicago WHY? AFTER CAMPUS VISIT? A. No, before campus visit.
 * <li> The University of Tennessee (2/17 letter)
 * <li> Hendrix C (after campus visit...)
 * <li> UNC Chapel Hill (after campus visits). Position not approved by Administration. They will try again in 2009.


 * <li> University of Michigan (inside knowledge) Q: Was that after campus visit? Latinoamericanist? A: Campus visits already took place, so it must have been after. They brought four candidates to campus, one that they may have hired withdrew from the search, and they didn't like, or couldn't agree on any of the remaining candidates, so they decided to not hire anyone....they may or may not list the position again next year. (inside info)
 * <li> St. Lawrence University (letter 2/23)

Have you heard about...?
'''[Note: Please leave info in this section until the school's status has been updated. Many people check this site once a week or even less frequently.]'''

NOTE: YOU CAN DO A SEARCH OF THE ENTIRE PAGE; ON A PC, GO TO EDIT/FIND AND TYPE IN THE SCHOOL. ON A MAC, PRESS "APPLE" F AND TYPE IN THE SCHOOL.

[Note: Please put the new questions AT THE END]

Q: Tulane (Luso-Brazilian) after the MLA? A: I read in the BRASA newsletter that they have put out the call again, deadline 2/20.Q. So does this mean they didnt like any of the andidates they had already invited? Not necessarily. Oftentimes they need to have X number of viable candidates and/or need to expand the pool.

Q: Western Carolina University? 2nd hand knowledge of a campus visit 2/11

Q: Western Illinois University? I requested info via e-mail and received no response.

Q: Arizona Golden Age/Medieval (the one converted from TT to visiting?

'''Q: Spanish Study Abroad Assistant Director at College of the Holy Cross?

'''Q: Mellon Post Doc in the Humanities at Tulane?

'''Q: Wilson College? A: I received an e-mail in December requesting a writing sample. Last week they informed me by e-mail that I am a "semi-finalist" and that they would be contacting my references.

'''Q: University of Puerto Rico (what happen with this position? Has someone heard?) A:They called on 1/21 and asked a few questions so they're probable still reviewing the applications. A: Thanks for the info! Q: To clarify, Which U of PR and which specialization? A: I wrote to U of PR in Mayaguez (for the Humanities position). They answered me that they're still reviewing the applications and that they would get in contac later

Q: Furman?

Q: Dickinson College? Q. So, are they interviewing or not? Somebody deleted the previous message. A: Yes, at least one campus visit has been scheduled.'''Q. Do you know for which position? A: Linguistics. Q. What about the Peninsularist position? And the U.S. Latina/o? Q. Anything new about the position of Peninsularist?

Q: SUNY New Paltz? A: A friend got a cancellation notice.

'''Q. Randolph-Macon, A: A friend of mine has a campus visit at Randolph-Macon. A: A candidate has accepted an offer.

Q. U. of Richmond after MLA? A: In the first week of January a friend told me she had been invited by Richmond to campus. Position in Latin American Literature and Cultural Studies.

Q. Capital University? A: They did phone interviews last week, and said they would be calling midweek (by 2/20) to schedule campus visits for mid march.

'''Q. Fairmont State University after MLA? '''

Q. Dominican? A: Campus visits scheduled (second-hand knowledge) Q. Do you know for which position?

Q. Oklahoma State?

Q. Univ. of West Georgia? A: I had to email the search committee chair to see what was up. Got a polite rejection letter. My guess is, if you haven't heard anything by now, the news ain't good. A: I have heard they have made an offer as of 2/16. Not accepted yet. (2/20)Heard they are calling more people for campus visits, so I suppose the position was not accepted.

Q: What happened with Muhlenberg after MLA (Peninsularist)?Well, that was asked earlier and then somebody had the brilliant idea of erasing the info. Basically, we'll be finding out (hopefully) in early+ Feb. for campus visits the latter part of the month. '''It is mid-February and they have not contacted anybody. Does anybody know what happened to the Peninsularist position?'''

'''Q: U of British Columbia? [someone erased previous info]''' I really haven't heard about it, but it wouldn't surprise me if they canceled the search again. They have been doing that for the last three years: they announce a Latin American search, next year a Peninsular. So, look out for two Latin American positions next year! I stopped bothering with the applications. Sorry! A. I have it on third-hand knowledge that they are interviewing for the Medieval position. (2/3) **And I heard they made an offer earlier this week, peninsular position.

Q: U of Utah? conducted webcam interviews in December rather than MLA. Said they would bring finalists to campus mid-January.'''/A. I was wondering if they have actually invited anyone for a campus visit?'''

Q. Wittenberg University?

Q. St. Bonaventure University?A. I had an mla interview and haven't heard anything either.

'''Q: North Central College? A: Campus visits scheduled (second-hand)

'''Q: Nova Southeastern University?

'''Q. Virgina Tech after MLA?

Q. University of Colorado - Denver? A. The search is on hold. Q. Had they already notified the short list before the search was put on hold?

Q. I presume Western Kentucky has by now scheduled phone interviews if not campus invites for the dept head position? I have not heard a word from this place in over four months, not one scrap of information. If this total lack of professional courtesy is ok for candidates for a senior position, I'd hate to think how faculty there are treated. ''1. Far too few colleges contact candidates. This is par for the course. 2. What difference does it make if it's for a senior or a junior position? How about treating everybody equally. 3. In general... relax. Nothing in this process is humane, and it's completely out of our control.''

Q. Eckerd College? A: I know they have started campus visits already (a friend had one there).

Q. Swarthmore?

Q. U of San Diego peninsularist? Campus visits happening now. They called to arrange them the second week of Jan.

Q. San Francisco State peninsularist? A: They have held campus visits and will be making a decision this week.

Q. Cornell, visiting? Rumor mill says they've hired someone... but maybe there are two positions (in the past there has been more than one visiting at a time)

'''Q: Rutgers-Newark after MLA (Luso brazilian)? Anybody heard anything about a possible cancellation of this position? A.Not cancelled. They have made an offer to a candidate and they're waiting for an answer.

'''Q: UNC Chapel Hill Modern Peninsular? They had two ads (Modern Pen and Golden Age) but actually one position available for the six candidates they interviewed on campus. Unfortunately they close that one position, so neither modernists nor early modernist can count on that one this year (see above, canceled positions)

'Q: Utah State University? Has anybody heard from them after the phone interviews? A. If you mean the Brigham City job, I haven't. No, I mean the position in Logan.

'''Q. Columbia job talks? Is it true they only invited two candidates for the Latin American position?''' A. Yes, that is true. A. Failed search. A. Yep, just heard that they did not offer the position to any of the finalists. Hopefully the position will be re-opened for this year's MLA.Q: Why did they discharge both finalists???? Well, presumably it's because they weren't wowed by either one of them, or they didn't agree. Searches fail sometimes, though it does look kind of bad for the department, and it seems strange that a few of the top searches have failed this year, given the economy and the fact that they might not get permission to hire anyone in the future. My own impression is that the field is undergoing a paradigm shift- it's uncertain what direction it's taking, and the senior people doing the hiring either don't understand/like/or agree on the work the new folks are doing. But that's just my own guess- who knows.

Q: Scripps since fly backs?

'''Q. Case Western Reserve U since phone interviews?

'''Q. U of Texas, Pan American after phone interviews?

Q: Berry College?

Q: Skidmore College Visiting Assistant Professor? A: The position has apparently been filled (second-hand knowledge). '''Q: Could somebody confirm it? I ask it since, according to the MLA announcement, review of applications began on February 2nd. A. This search has been canceled.'''

Q: Arkansas Tech University?

Q: Coastal Carolina University?

'''Q: Mercer University since campus visits?

'''Q: Capital University since phone interviews?

'''Q: Juniata College?

'''Q: King's College?

Q: Berkeley?A. Apparently the LatAm position has been canceled...I heard that due to a messy mess among the department's faculty the administration has denied permission to go on with the search process (which apparently was already advanced)...but I have NOT been able to confirm any of this. Can anyone confirm this? ''NO. THEY CANNOT CONFIRM THIS B/C IT'S NOT TRUE. THE "messy mess" ALLUDED TO IS ALSO INCORRECT. I simply do not understand why ppl are making **** up about this position and wish they would stop spreading lies.'' Q: So what's the truth then?? I have no idea what the situation is with the job search, but everyone in academia, including senior faculty I've talked to who have close personal contacts at Berkeley, knows that the department has been experiencing major problems for the past few years. So there's no reason to get all aggressive and accuse people of spreading lies- it's perfectly reasonable to speculate that the job search is troubled, and the person who posted the initial answer didn't claim to know for sure. ''The truth is that the "messy mess" actually has solidified the funding, so much so that last I heard (mid-Jan) they had permission for 2 hires. It's not reasonable to ASSUME that just b/c there are rumored problems + financial troubles in California = Berkeley position being canceled. As far as the aggressive tone, it's more in response to 3 months of aggressive misinformation being spread about this search.'' A. Calm down people, there's no need to be defensive, aggressive, etc., after all in some measure this wiki depends on info that comes from informal conversations, hearsay, and sources like that. The poster of the polemic info actually did say it was not confirmed info (=hearsay). Anyway, I ask whoever did the last post: if Berkeley got permission for 2 hires in mid-Jan (or is this the time when you heard it?), does it mean they are they just now gonna call for campus visits or are they opening this positions for 2009's MLA? Thanks! A: Berkeley had four candidates for campus visits a couple of weeks ago. Apparently, they've made their decision and will be informing 1-2 of these at any moment.

Q: College of William and Mary A: Candidates have accepted both positions, one before MLA.

Q: Trinity College Last candidate went on Feb 13. They were going to call the finalist the following week.

"Q" Northwestern U?" They only advertised the position in the The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Search-Related Comments, Questions, Tips, FAQs, Etc.
'''Q: Any advice for the flyback? It's my first. ''' A. The job talk and/or demonstration class are generally the most important part of the interview, so put most of your energy there. At the MLA they asked you questions and you talked most of the time. On campus, it will be more of a conversation, so let them talk and take some time to listen. There´s a lot they will want to tell you. Try to relax as much as you can. It´s very unlikely you´ll do anything to blow the job and whether or not you get it is largely out of your hands and often comes down to luck. A: I would disagree that the job talk is the most important part, this is not always the case, especially at liberal arts colleges that may ask you to teach two different classes, both a language and a literature, I would make sure that you clarify what they are looking for in a "job talk" I had one campus visit where I presented my 16 page, 40 minute "job talk" (which is typical for research places) and they had expected a 20 minute conference type presentation...needless to say they seemed bored, and were much more interested in my teaching. Do not underestimate the importance of the class you teach during your visit, ALSO do not forget that it is an interview, even though you may be having coffee with undergraduate students, I had one visit where after not getting an offer, a friend at the place told me that they had included undergraduate students in the search process, and that after having lunch with me, the students reported that I didn't seem very interested in the position, even though I had expressed in the actual "interview" and in conversation that I was interested, the students somehow felt that I wasn't and that affected my status...so be prepared and be yourself, but don't forget that even a cup of coffee where you mention that you hate living in a cold climate could be taken the wrong way...ie they figure you won't want to stay and will be back on the market if they hire you in favor of a warmer place...also wear really comfortable shoes as they seem to always want to include a "campus tour" even in subzero temps. A. I would agree with clarifying beforehand the length of the talk. My shortest job talk to date was at a liberal arts college; my longest, at a different liberal arts college. Also, I would concur with those who have said to treat every part of the visit as an interview, from the time they pick you up from the airport to the time you're back there. Even interactions that seem to be informal can leave a good or bad impression with people, and once you're on campus, a large part of the process boils down to whether or not you seem interesting and likable.

 Q: Usually, how many candidates are on the short-list for campus visits? A. Three is pretty typical. A. However, a lot of larger programs bring two and have a third on hold in case the first two don't work out. A. More programs bring in 4 candidates than 2. Some even bring 5, although I'm sure that that number is dropping this year.

'''Q: Has anyone received a request for a visit that they really don't want?? or turned down a visit? I received a call for one and I was really caught off guard...I said yes, but I'm regretting it. ''' A. I have a few on my list that I will say no to if they call and I turned down a request for a phone interview this week. You need to approach this with an open mind and maybe you'll be really happy somewhere you didn't take too seriously at first. But on the other hand, if you really really know that there's no way in hell you'd accept a job there, then do them and yourself a favor and call them back and say no. A. I have 2 campus visits only as a plan "B" if any of the other 3 in plan "A" don't work. I would not turn down any campus visit until I really have an outstanding offer from my favorites, as you never know what can happen, and the economy is not at its perfect time to reject any option (yet).A. I wouldn't refuse campus visits. They are good practice in the process, and if you get more than one offer, you have a better chance of negotiating with the institution you are interested in. A. I'd refuse a campus visit (and I have) for places I couldn't EVER imagine myself being (e.g., an island with 50,000 people off the coast of Alaska; that's why I now do better research before applying). I don't think it's fair to the university to fly me out for an interview when I cannot, in my wildest dreams, imagine accepting a job in X or Y location. Having said that, however, I agree with the first answer, and would advise you to keep an open mind when thinking about potential visits. It's better on balance to accept than to reject visits; especially in this job market, we can't be too picky.

Q: Any ideas of what you are supposed to do if you get an offer, but you still have upcoming campus visits already scheduled?? One school said they would be contacting me (if I was their first choice) by the end of next week, but I have three more visits scheduled, and I am interested in the other positions as well...I only have a 1/3 chance of this happening...but it could.... A. Legally, they to give you 2 full weeks for a response on your part (and most will). Otherwise, if the time period given to you is shorter, you can cordially ask if you can have the two full weeks to think about the offer (that you are honored, and will consider it with great enthusiasm etc...very carefully). As I said, "legally" they need to give you 2 weeks. ''RESPONSE: I don't know about "legal" as opposed to "MLA recommended." I doubt that there's a national law that dictates 2 weeks for considering a job offer, but I'm not a lawyer.''. RIGHT: There is no law to be followed, just MLA recommendations.

Another posibility is for you to say that you are delighthed by the offer and ask them to send you the contract. With this answer you are not saying YES, just you are living the door open telling them you are interested, this will give you more time. Preparing the contract can take up to 2 weeks with/or before the back and forward negociations on salary, moving expenses, posibility of reducing one courseload in your first year, extra funding for conferences or anything else you believe you are able to negociate. Until you sign the contract, there is no legal bound. Also, don't be afraid to tell them now that you are having other campus interviews and that you need to make a well informed desition before making a desition on their job offer. I believe it is positive for them to know where are you standing now I am very confident they will understand and give you more time.

Although a very good method to buy some time, some schools will not send you the contract until you have verbally accepted the offer. Ergo, ask directly for the two weeks and DO tell about your other campus visits.Good luck!

'''Q: For those who have been through this process before, when will the next wave of jobs be posted? Is the economy so terrible this year the JIL will stay as anemic as it has been the past several weeks?''' A. There are good jobs on the list through May, so don´t give up. A lot of schools don´t get positions approved until the second semester, which means the request has to go from the department, up through the dean´s office and to the provost. This takes a couple of weeks, so if they started back mid-January, they are only getting approval now and still need to advertise. There will definitely be more. There are about 80 billion dollars for education in the stimulus package, including a lot of money for pell grants, and a lot of direct aid for states. I doubt everything will collapse because of the economy. After the Catholic Church, Universities are the most long-lived institutions.

'''Q: What do you do when you get a call with a job offer? A. If you want it, TAKE IT!. IF not, TAKE IT ANYWAY. With the recesion, "mas vale pajaro en mano..." A. Yes, take it or leave it, but remember, this is your last chance to negotiate. Your first response to the salary should be "that sounds low" no matter what it is. Other things you want to make sure you are get are a computer and any other equipment you may need (microfilm reader, for instance). Be sure to negotiate moving expenses and seed money to go to conference or conduct research in the first few years. If you know you're going to need to do work abroad next summer, ask for money for that now. If you are told no to any of these things, take that as a chance to ask for more base salary again. You may get a lot or a little or nothing at all, but it won't hurt to ask. ''FIRST AND FOREMOST is base salary. Your salary from here on out is based on your first year salary. The difference comes out to tens and tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your career. Check out the message boards at the Chronicle of Higher Ed (chronicle.com) for more info.''

'''Q: Has anyone tried to negotiate a spousal hire during this dreadful economy? I'd been given advice not to mention the spouse until after you'd received an offer, but the university where I'd been offered a job was not happy that I hadn't disclosed this earlier. Any advice on the protocol here? ''' A: I was told the same thing by my department, but both my wife (she's in another field) and I were honest during the meeting with the chairs and deans at the campus visits, and they worked diligently to make it work and still offered her three jobs (her process happened before our tortoise-like humanities searches....). The tricky thing is that most departments have freezes or are very short on $$, so the best I've seen anyone get is an adjunct. I was lucky enough to get a t-t job in the area at a different school, but if not I would have been unemployed because even though two institutions wanted to hire me, they just didn't have the funds to offer anything....I say lay it out there because if they don't have the ability, they won't be able to find your spouse work anyway - best of luck! A. In general, I wouldn´t lay it out at the campus interview, but sometimes it might be better to come clean. Campus interviews are tricky, because it is all a job interview, but at the same time, you need to connect with people personally as well. As for spousal hires, they often take a few years to work out, either where you´re working or by leaving, so don´t give up. I´ve seen more couple work it out than not, though some times it has taken a few years. A: Thanks! It's helpful to think of it as a process that takes a few years. A. Check out the fora in The Chronicle of Higher Education, under careers/job-seeking experiences there's an entire sub-forum on "the two-body problem.