Negotiations for VAP

[Advice needed]

I've been offered a 2 year VAP at a comprehensive school (with some admin responsibilities). Have a good idea of what kinds of big things to ask for in negotiations (salary, contract extension, research funds, etc.)

Just wondering -- any other advice on things to consider from folks who are/have been there?

[Been there]

I've been in your position (I was offered, and ultimately accepted, a multi-year VAP) and, at least at the institution I went to, there was no room for negotiation. I think that's fairly typical. You certainly want to ask about what you're being offered for salary, research funds, and moving expenses - and if, say, the amount you're being offered for moving isn't enough, you can ask if they have flexibility on that, and it's certainly reasonable to ask what their policy is on extending the length of the contract (do they ever do it, what would be the conditions under which they'd consider it). But it would be helpful to think of this more as exploring and understanding the terms of the contract than as the sort of hard-line negotiating you'd do for a TT job.

[A little]

I was able to negotiate a little bit for a VAP position -- a small bump in salary, moving costs, a guaranteed funding for one conference.