The decision to continue searches for full-time faculty positions is good news for the quality of academic life at Wesleyan. It is another sign that the administration is dedicated to rising above the current economic panic and thinking ahead by preserving the long-term integrity of intellectual culture at this institution. Riding the wave of Wes’s post-Obama selectivity spike, the administration’s bold decision to continue hiring faculty may help turn the current impressive admissions statistics into a lasting trend. Judging by what we’ve seen so far, recently-arrived professors have impressed us with their creativity and intellectual achievement, and the news that more than 300 hundred candidates have shown serious interest in open faculty positions leaves us optimistic that Wes will continue to attract interesting, top-notch faculty members. With continued clear-headed policies such as this one, we hope that Wesleyan can emerge from this recession stronger than it was before.
On a completely different and largely unrelated note, while this is good news for Wesleyan, it is a stark reminder for students considering academic careers. Many of us here love the intellectually stimulating climate, and hope to make a career in academia. But the Ivory Tower is looking less and less appealing as a future employer. We would likely hesitate to enter any job market in which there are 300 applicants for an entry-level position. This is not to mention that any candidate who can land a tenure-track position is part of a lucky minority. Academics are exciting, but these days, business school is looking more and more appealing. Well, maybe not. Is the army still hiring?
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