June 7, 2021 

Dear Colleagues, 

In April, we announced a draft plan to resume allocation of tenure-track lines and the associated  hiring of tenure-track faculty beginning next year. Since April, we have received feedback from  chairs, from faculty at an open forum, and via email. This feedback has informed the path forward.  

As a reminder, based on institutional history and budget projection, funding is available to fill at least  12 tenure-track lines over the next three years. However, as we have previously stated, we estimate  that satisfying previously articulated needs and ambitions would require approximately double that  number. Our line allocation plan is informed by this reality, the recognition of the interconnectedness  of the curriculum, and the need to support our shared educational goals. The plan articulated here  encourages collaboration among faculty and academic units to meet as many of our collective needs  and ambitions as possible.  

As part of a broader effort to prioritize the delivery of the curriculum by tenure-track faculty, we no  longer plan to solicit proposals for new ongoing, renewable lectureships. This shift does not apply to  reauthorizations of existing renewable lectureships. The AAC will continue to consider requests for  reauthorizations of existing lectureships, consistent with our usual practice. 

In upcoming allocations of tenure-track lines, we will prioritize: 

• collaborations between units (e.g., memoranda of understanding (MOU) between  units, joint appointments, consolidation of academic units — all through participation  of the involved units); 
• allocations to units that robustly attend to equity and inclusion beyond what has been  traditionally required by the Active and Inclusive Search Plan (e.g., holding an  emerging scholars series, engaging in curricular transformation through the Mellon  and HHMI grants or the planned Social Sciences curricular transformation initiative);  
• allocations that support curricular pressures and the value of the liberal arts in a  changing world; 
• allocations that address enrollment pressure (see Phase 1b). 

The phased process for tenure-track line allocations is described below.  

Phase 1a: Summer/Fall 2021 

AAC plans to augment the line allocated in January 2020 associated with climate and environmental  science, broadly defined, to create a focused cluster of tenure-track lines in this area. One important  component of this process will be a cross-disciplinary Emerging Scholar Series planned by the  relevant units in concert with DOF for the fall of 2021. The scholar series will: (a) introduce  emerging researchers to small liberal arts colleges, (b) generate networking opportunities for faculty across multiple STEM fields in the area of climate and environment broadly defined, and (c)  introduce Bates students and faculty to new research and to a broad range of scholars involved in  these fields, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.  

The AAC will add three lines to the prior allocation to create the possibility of a cluster hire  involving four faculty lines. This cluster is based on the collaborative potential evident in  previously-submitted proposals from academic units in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM)  Division. Based on the demonstrated curricular needs in the NSM Division and associated  interdisciplinary units, this cluster is limited to tenure-track appointments in the following academic  units: Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Digital and Computational Studies, Earth and  Climate Science, Environmental Studies (natural sciences emphasis only), Mathematics, and  Physics and Astronomy. Other units with an interest in this area are encouraged to think about  connections to climate and environment as part of Phases 1b, 2, or 3. New faculty could begin as  soon as fall 2022 or fall 2023, depending on recruiting and collaboration logistics.  

By August 1, 2021: For units participating in this cluster, the AAC requests submission of brief  (one- to two-page) position concepts. Units may be involved in more than one position concept. A  position concept for this phase includes the following:  

• A scholarly, curricular, and pedagogical vision (teaching and research) for the  proposed position, noting any connection with previously-submitted proposals for  tenure-track lines. 
• An explicit description of the range of potential collaborative links that have been  developed among units. 
  • This could include articulation of the possible forms of an MOU, a request for  a joint appointment, or expectations for cross-listed courses, thesis advising,  and other kinds of cross-unit connections. 
  • Examples of potential collaborative links will be shared with relevant units. 
• Evidence of collaborative creation and submission of joint position concepts. This is  required. Please make clear which academic units collaborated on the position concept.   
• A provisional list of names of emerging scholars in the area associated with the  position concept who could be invited to participate in the Emerging Scholar Series  and/or a plan for how Bates might attract a wide variety of emerging scholars to  participate in the series. 
• A vision for, and robust attention to, equity and inclusion (e.g., strategies for  participation in the Emerging Scholar Series, past or planned engagement with the  Bates HHMI programming).  
• There is no need to include information about enrollment pressure; AAC has access  to that information. 

By August 15: The AAC will choose four position concepts to serve as the framework for the  Emerging Scholar Series (see below). Academic units whose position concepts are not approved at this stage are welcome to resubmit them in future phases. Upon identifying approved position  concepts, AAC will communicate to all relevant academic units that they should pursue invitees for  the Emerging Scholar Series in the fall; further communication on the format and dates of the Series  will be forthcoming. Any division chair whose unit might benefit from a potential allocation will  recuse themselves from final deliberations and decisions about position concept approval.  

Late summer 2021: Creation of a cluster search committee with representation from each unit  involved in generating an approved position concept. The offices of the DOF and VPEI as well as  AAC will offer guidelines for participation and deliberative practices given this new process.  

September/October 2021: Environment and Climate Science Emerging Scholar Series. The format  and date(s) of the series are to be determined; responsibilities for the Series will be shared by units  involved in approved position concepts and the DOF.  

• After the cross-disciplinary Emerging Scholar Series, the cluster search committee  will recommend to the AAC which positions should result in searches in the  
• remaining part of 2021-2022, consistent with the hiring timeline culture of relevant  fields. The AAC will approve the searches to be conducted in 2021-2022. 
• For lines remaining unfilled at the conclusion of 2021-22, the cluster search  committee will recommend an action plan for 2022-23 for approval by the AAC. 
• The dean of the faculty will work with and support units to articulate clear  expectations of the shared responsibilities, authorities, and practice of collaboration.  The offices of the DOF and the VPEI will support units through the search process,  as necessary. 
• As positions become more well-defined, the cluster search committee will develop  plans for mentoring and expectations of appropriate service of any faculty hired into a  given position. In doing so, explicit attention should be paid to the collaborative  features of the position, with a plan for how the faculty member will be supported in  each of the units.  

Phase 1b: Summer/Fall 2021 

AAC will allocate up to four lines to address enrollment pressure. We distinguish enrollment  pressure from curricular pressure; the latter we take to be focused on areas of the curriculum that  are not staffed with permanent faculty, despite their centrality and value within a unit and in the  liberal arts as a whole. We aim to address curricular pressure beyond what will be accomplished in  Phase 1a in Phases 2 and 3 below.  

Although many definitions of enrollment pressure are possible, we define enrollment pressure as  having at least seven majors per permanent faculty member in a unit the past five years (on average).  Units meeting this criterion and thus eligible to submit position concepts in Phase 1b are Economics,  Environmental Studies (social sciences or humanities emphases only), Psychology, and Politics. 

New faculty could begin as soon as fall 2022, but could be delayed depending on the needs of units  and the necessary timeline for effective recruiting. By September 1: For units wishing to participate in this phase, the AAC requests submission of brief  (one- to two-page) position concepts. These position concepts must include the following:  

• Scholarly, curricular, and pedagogical vision (teaching and research) for the proposed  position, noting any connection with previously-submitted proposals for tenure-track  lines. 
• Explicit description of potential collaborative links that have been developed with  one or more other units, for example through articulation of the possible forms of an  MOU, a request for a joint appointment, or expectations for cross-listed courses,  expectations for thesis advising, and other kinds of cross-unit connections.  
• Collaboration is a necessary part of any successful position concept. Collaborative  plans between specific units may take multiple forms:  
  • Position concepts can flexibly name several potential unit collaborators  (where these potential units have all been consulted), depending on the areas of work of the successful job candidate. 
  • The AAC is willing to be in conversation with any unit with questions about which collaborative connections might be effective.  
  • Alternatively, these collaborations could involve senior faculty members  augmenting their collaborative endeavors in a way that substantively commits  to another unit via a MOU. 
• A list of potential search committee members appropriate for the proposed position  concept and associated collaborative links.  
• A vision for, and robust attention to, equity and inclusion (e.g., commitment to  organize an Emerging Scholar Series, past or planned engagement with the Bates  Mellon Curricular Transformation programming or the planned Social Sciences  curricular transformation initiative).  

By September 15: AAC will approve up to four position concepts. After consultation with the  offices of the DOF and VPEI, an appropriate search committee reflecting the nature of the position  concept should be formed and recruiting efforts begun (including potential Emerging Scholar Series  events for 2021-22).  

• When constituted, the search committees should work on an initial ‘best practices’  plan for the search as well as mentoring and expectations of appropriate service of  any faculty hired into a position, with explicit attention to the collaborative features  of the position. 
• The dean of the faculty will work with units to help develop clear expectations of the  shared responsibilities, authorities, and practice of collaboration of the interacting  units. When necessary, the search processes will be mediated to facilitate dialogue.  
• Timeline is adaptable given the hiring timeline culture of a given field/area; it may  not be appropriate to hire into a given position in 2021-22.  
• Units whose position concepts are not approved in phase 1b remain eligible to submit  under phases 2 or 3.
• There is no need to include information about enrollment pressure; AAC has access  to that information. 
• Any division chair whose unit might benefit from a potential allocation will recuse  themselves from final deliberations and decisions about allocations. 

Phase 2: Fall 2021 and Winter 2022 

Call for position concepts (due in October, 2021) for a cluster of tenure-track lines attending  specifically to issues of power and privilege, histories of racism, colonialism, or white supremacy (in  the US or outside of the US), or the desire for decolonizing and/or antiracist curricular  transformations. These topics have featured prominently in many of the proposals received by AAC  in recent years. There is also strong student commitment to these topics and strong faculty interest in  these topics within the general education curriculum. These topics could inform the position concept  either as core elements of a field of study, or as key elements of a potential candidate’s pedagogy and  professional practice. These position concepts could come from any unit (or combination of units)  across the college. As above, we will look for position concepts that:  

• reimagine connections across units and the college as a whole in creative ways;  
• include a vision for, and robust attention to, equity and inclusion (for instance,  participation in the HHMI, the Mellon curricular transformation grants, or the  planned Social Sciences curricular transformation initiative); 
• involve collaboration among academic units and/or consolidation of academic units; 
• alleviate significant enrollment or curricular pressure. 

We understand that some units are especially constrained due to recent retirements. We recognize  that it is important to attend to the curricular needs of these units. We look forward to seeing  collaborations involving these units in this, and the next, phase. 

• AAC will allocate up to four lines in this phase. 
• Any division chair whose unit might benefit from a potential allocation will recuse  themselves from final deliberations and decisions about allocations. 
• Decisions to be made in January, 2022. 

Phase 3: Winter 2022 through Winter 2023  

The AAC will solicit position concepts for tenure-track lines (due in October, 2022) for a focused  cluster of hires in a topic or area to be determined in conversation with the faculty. Faculty-wide  conversations about the content of this cluster will begin in January, 2022. As in Phases 1 and 2, line  allocations in Phase 3 would prioritize position concepts that: 

• reimagine connections across units and the college as a whole in creative ways;
• include a vision for and robust attention to equity and inclusion (for instance,  participation in the HHMI, the Mellon curricular transformation grants, or the  planned Social Sciences curricular transformation initiative);  
• involve collaboration among academic units, consolidation of academic units, and/or  alleviation of significant enrollment or curricular pressure. 

We understand that some units are especially constrained due to recent retirements and their needs  may not be adequately addressed by Phases 1a, 1b, or 2. We affirm the importance of attending to the  curricular needs of these units and look forward to seeing collaborations involving these units in this  phase. 

• AAC will allocate up to three lines in this phase. 
• Any division chair whose unit might benefit from a potential allocation will recuse  themselves from final deliberations and decisions about allocations. 
• Decisions to be made in January, 2023. 

Academic units with questions about any of these phases are welcome to contact their respective  Division Chair or the Dean of Faculty. We wish everyone a wonderful summer and look forward to  continuing to work with you all on these line allocations. 

Sincerely, 

The Academic Affairs Council 

Amy Bradfield Douglass 
Division Chair for Social Sciences 

Holly Ewing 
Division Chair for Interdisciplinary Studies 

Malcolm Hill 
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty 

Nathan Lundblad 
Division Chair for Natural Sciences & Mathematics 

Susan Stark 
Division Chair for Humanities