Academic Minimalism

Last year I was an Associate Professor and an Associate Chair in my department. My husband was working long hours at a job neither of us liked. In the midst of all this we got another puppy. My days were spent juggling work and home in a way that was reminiscent of early motherhood. While technically manageable, it wasn’t pleasant and it wasn’t the life we wanted.

This summer brought a complete turnaround. I reached a milestone age and was promoted to Full Professor (not to imply causality….age alone doesn’t get you promoted). I became Chair of the department. My husband resigned from his position and went back to his previous work but in a half-time capacity. The puppies and the house are being cared for without my constant vigilance and I can concentrate on figuring out the business of being Chair. I am happy.

But what is the work of a Chair? I think most faculty don’t really know the answer. I got a glimpse as Associate Chair but, like parenting, it doesn’t become real until you’re in the middle of it. As Chair you are caught between the responsibilities of being a faculty member (scholarship, teaching, and service) and a middle manager (answering to faculty and administration). Your faculty responsibilities are regulated to 50 percent of your time and your administrative/managerial/leadership responsibilities comprise the other half. Since both of these are full-time jobs in-and-of-themselves, it is by definition, a recipe for failure.

Of course there is a reduction in the number of classes you teach (although your departmental average pays the price since bean counters don’t recognize this reduction) and students you advise. However the reduction in your research, doctoral student advising, and professional/community service is left for you to decide and manage. As for the managerial/leadership half, neither administration nor your faculty will ever place limits on the amount of requests you need fill or the number of problems you need to solve. They are endless. It is a position that truly requires a minimalist approach. Every day I find myself asking “What can I let go?” and “Does this really need to happen?”

There are several new Chairs in my school this year. We meet regularly. At least one has said they are working 14-15 hours a day. That is not a sustainable model and it is one I refuse to emulate or buy into. So far I’ve managed to be home most nights before six (except when I’m teaching). I’ve kept up my morning runs/work outs. I don’t work every weekend and when I do I limit it to a few hours each day. I am in the office every day and when I am there I am completely present.

I’m learning what is essential–to the role, to the department, to me–and making my mistakes along the way.