FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: HELP! I’m in my third year in a tenure-track position and am freaking out. For the past two summers, I’ve had big plans for writing. I’ve fallen short each summer, and when I heard those July 4th fireworks, I thought, “Here we go again.” At the same time, I’m still exhausted from the past academic year. How can I manage the competing goals of finding time to recover (I have young children, so “me time” is limited) while keeping up with my writing to be “on track” for reappointment? —Save My Summer

Dear Faculty Relations: I know performance reviews have to be done next month for my university staff and research faculty. What does a successful year-end review look like? —Anxious Supervisor

Dear Faculty Relations: I think I may be burning out.  I have noticed that my physical energy levels are not quite the same as they used to be.  It is a struggle to stay asleep at night, which makes waking up a challenge, and I feel my energy levels remain sluggish throughout the day.  On top of that, I find myself with a shorter fuse than usual and making silly mistakes in my writing, teaching, and other work.  I think stress might be the culprit, but the demands of life make it challenging to work on self-care, which only exacerbates my stress levels.  I feel like I am caught in a loop.  What do you suggest? —Burnt out

Dear Faculty Relations: There has been headline news about the reckoning over office romances. Is it okay to date someone in my unit? —Interested in a Relationship

Dear Faculty Relations: I often find myself spending more hours on my work and research than what is even expected of me from my department. This has created some problems at home—I feel distracted or less available to my family and friends. Is there something that can be done? —Stretched Too Thin

Dear Faculty Relations: I am worried about a couple of my students. I got an email from a student’s parent saying their child is in the hospital. When another student was in my office a few weeks ago, they reported feeling anxious and, at times, depressed. I haven’t seen them in my class since then. I’m unsure if they have support resources in place. Should I refer them to you? —Concerned about Student

Dear Faculty Relations: I am an associate professor, and I have been at this rank for over a decade now. In my case, I have been asked repeatedly to serve in administrative roles, such as the department’s associate chair and later as the department chair. I haven’t had enough time to pursue my research. I suspect other faculty members, particularly BIPOC and women faculty members, are in a similar boat with increased service loads or other responsibilities and circumstances, which prevent them from meeting the standards for promotion to full. Are we all destined to be career associate professors? —Stuck in Associate Land

Dear Faculty Relations: I’ve had students make ignorant comments during class. How do I deal with microaggressions and other problems I see happening in my classroom and manage discussions about sensitive or difficult topics? —Teachable Moments

Dear Faculty Relations: I need to take some time off to deal with my health issues. Why do I need leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) if I am a tenured/tenure-track faculty member? How is it in my best interest to file for leave under the FMLA when I have accrued sick leave? What happens if I need to be out past the 12-week FMLA entitlement? —Needing Time Off

Dear Faculty Relations: I find my department’s faculty meetings irksome. The chair never calls on those of us who are pre-tenured, and as a result, only the senior members of the department shape important policy decisions. My other junior colleagues say, “Why talk? Someone will hold it against you when you come up for tenure.” Are they right? I am frustrated at being seen but not heard. —Seen but not Heard