University of Portland

[well]

So, any news out of University of Portland? Seems like most 10/1 deadlines are making moves.

[om]

None of the 10/1 deadlines I applied to are making any movement. If you think about it, the search committee needs 1-2 weeks to go through all of the applications, then they have to meet and decide on a long list. Then, it could take another week before the department meets to vote on which candidates to bring in. Then, the list has to be approved by admins, such as HR and deans. While I would love to put out of my misery sooner rather than later, I'd be surprised to hear anything for at least another week and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't hear anything until the end of the month. Since they're private and a small department, U of P may not have to go through all of these steps, but these search committees are made up of faculty who are doing this in addition to their teaching and research duties. It's a pleasant surprise when you hear quickly but I don't think we can expect news anytime soon.

[patience]

agreed on the 10/1 deadlines.

[patienceindeed]

Holy crap, people, calm down. Movement often doesn't happen until a month or more after a deadline. Search committee members have other stuff to do, by the way.

[drsoandso]

All of these appeals to rationality - can't I just be anxious, unreasonably impatient, and put myself through emotional turmoil, while I torture myself by over-analyzing these boards for clues and veiled secret messages that are probably inaccurate? It's kind of cathartic - or is it neurotic? I always get those mixed up.

[stopactinglikemommy]

I agree with the above. Impatience is why people come to this board. If you think it helpful to remind people that things take time, please don't. Instead, close the browser and return when enough time has elapsed that you feel comfortable with the conversation. Let the rest obsess in peace.

[Thanks]

Just received the following email

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in the tenure-track assistant professor position at our university.

We have received your materials and have begun the selection process. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Martin Monto at [e-mail].

You have our best wishes.
Rayne

I'm assuming this means I'm out. Any thought?

[portlandorbust]

I think it was sent to everyone. I wouldn't count yourself out yet!

[dunno]

It's not obvious to me that this indicates that we haven't made it through to a long or short list. (I received the same message).

Seems like it might just be confirmation that they received a complete file. But I guess that could just be my wishful thinking ... I have been dreaming of the Columbia River Gorge

[how do you figure]

I didn't apply for this position, but I don't get how you surmise you're out based on this email. my reading is that they're only now beginning to go through the material so it'll be a while.

[so confusing]

Definitely an unclear email! I first read it as just confirmation that they've received my material, but I can see how one could interpret it to me that you're out of the running, or that you made it to a list. I guess the only thing to do is to contact them...

Though if it is just a confirmation of receipt of materials, I think it's a little weird that it would take two weeks.

[Maybe Not]

I was thinking this was a bit late for a confirmation email as well. That it must MEAN something. Then I remembered that they had us turn in everything as a hard copy, no uploading to the computer. That had to slow them down...

[WTF]

Seriously, people: All this email means is that they are confirming that your application is complete and things are underway on their end. Congratulations on being able to follow simple instructions! Same to your letter writers.

Otherwise, this means nothing about your chances.

[confirm]

Wrote and received reply - it was a confirmation email, nothing more, nothing less.

Good luck everyone!

[cracking me up]

this whole obsession over the deeper meaning of what is clearly just a confirmation email is seriously cracking me UP! this should be called the "humor mill," not the rumor mill. lol. thanks for an amusing nightcap, people