Fletcher seeks six new professors

The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy recently began an extensive search for six new faculty members. The school is in a financial position to recruit competitively, and Fletcher administrators expect a rush of applicants.

Because of the variety of positions available, the new professors will have diverse academic backgrounds. The current hiring situation is "a real defining moment for us, to be bringing in so many people at the same time," Fletcher Academic Dean Lisa Lynch said. "It's very exciting for us."

Given Fletcher's extensive advertising for the positions and the current state of the economy, Lynch predicts that they will over a hundred applicants for all six positions. In the past, Fletcher has received between 40 and 300 applications for available professorships.

The applicant pool may be narrowed down by the way Fletcher defines each position, Lynch said. "We try to be fairly specific in the job description."

Three of Fletcher's six openings are a result of resignations, one is an entirely new position, and the other two are routine rotations. Fletcher hires on based on retirement, resignations, and opportunities to expand _ which means that the number of available positions can vary considerably from year to year. There was only one addition to the faculty last year.

The new position in International Negotiations and Conflict Resolution was came out of a 1999 strategic plan that outlined a variety of projects to be carried out as funding came in. A recent anonymous gift to the University allowed the plan to be fulfilled.

That same plan emphasized a commitment to distance learning, which led to the creation of the new Global Masters of Arts program. Currently in its third year, the program is a "blended distance learning and residential masters program for mid-career professionals interested in an International Relations master's degree," according to Lynch.

Two other positions, the Constantine Karamanlis Chair in Hellenic and

Southeast European Studies and a place at the Institute for Human Security, are temporary, as was stipulated by the gifts that created them. The openings, part of a routine rotation, are filled by visiting scholars every one or two years.

Another position, in International Communications and Communications Technology, opened because the previous professor was denied tenure and resigned.

Two other Fletcher professors left the school as well, creating openings in International Political Economy and International Politics. Professor Scott Thompson retired, though he will stay on as an Adjunct Professor, and Assistant Professor Sarah Mendelson resigned for family reasons. Mendelson has since accepted a position in Washington, DC.

The selection process for positions at Fletcher is detailed and requires approval of applicants at several administrative levels. The body of applicants is first reviewed by a search committee composed of faculty members.

The selection of candidates invited for interviews then meets with the search committee, the deans, and a student advisory group of Fletcher volunteers. Finally, the potential professors offer a public lecture.

The search committee hopes to have the selection process completed by March of next year. All of the positions will start in fall 2003.