If you’re a full-time faculty member, it’s likely you have service as a job requirement. The specific expectations for service vary based on the type of institution, and the specific faculty position.
Service does not determine tenure
My research indicates that both teaching and scholarship are more highly valued in tenure and promotion processes (Hale 2012). Studies also indicate that faculty are not likely to be denied tenure or promotion because of insufficient service. However, some faculty members invest time and energy in service to the detriment of scholarly productivity, which is more likely to lead to denied tenure or promotion applications.
How are faculty to balance the requirement to provide service, and the expectations that teaching and scholarship are the primary areas that are judged in terms of tenure and promotion?
Be Selective with Service
My recommendation is to be selective with service. Of course some service obligations are rotated among faculty members and everyone has their turn with that opportunity. (I’m looking at you search committees, curriculum committees, and reappointment committees.) However, in order to feel energized by your service obligations, you must take charge and seek opportunities that fit your goals and values.
In one of my favorite books, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, Greg McKeown emphasizes making our highest contribution, which is doing the right thing the right way at the right time.
What do I feel deeply inspired by?
What am I particularly talented at?
What meets a significant need in the world?
To apply this to service opportunities, it means seeking out the best – not just good – opportunity for your unique combination of passion, talent, and values.
In the Vlog (above), I explain how I’ve done this with some service opportunities in my career.
I intentionally sought out service on the University General Education committee because it was at the nexus of my passion, talent, and values.
What service opportunities have you sought out based on your unique compilation of passion, talent, and values? If you haven’t been selective with service before, how can you work toward this goal in the future?
Hale, K. J. (2012). American Sign Language-English interpreting program faculty: Characteristics, tenure perceptions, and productivity (65). [Doctoral dissertation, Eastern Kentucky University]. Online Theses and Dissertations. https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/65