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ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!

Some of you may fondly remember Dr. Vincent Markowski. He came to UMM's psych
department in the fall of 1997, his contract was extended for a second year, and he
left in the spring of 1999, when he was replaced by a new member to the psych
department—who also became very popular—Dr. Kristy Hamilton.
Now Kristy is being replaced as well.

Judging from the press release published in the March 19, 2001 Ebb & Flow, one might
be misled into thinking that being "in the final stages of hiring two faculty members to
support our growing Behavioral Science Program" might mean that additional faculty is
being hired. Not so. While the article plainly states that one of the available positions
is to replace retiring Ed Jessiman, no mention is made of Kristy Hamilton's departure.
That being the case and despite the need to "support our growing Behavioral Science
Program," it appears we will end up with no additional staff—and we will be minus
Kristy Hamilton.

Despite a supposed campus-wide mood of "students first," Kristy Hamilton is moving
on—not because she would rather be elsewhere, but because she did not make it through
the preliminary interview process for the new position available at UMM. That being the
case, Kristy applied for openings elsewhere and was offered three-year, tenure track
positions both at Colby College in Waterville and Hartwick College in New York.
Kristy has accepted the position at Hartwick College,
say sources who wish to remain nameless.

According to the press release, the psychology department states that these changes are
taking place in order "to establish stability for our students in the Behavioral Science
program, who have seen four years of transitions through yearly fixed-length appointments."
Both Kristy Hamilton and Vincent Markowski had such contracts, and both were willing to
stay at UMM.

Dr. Markowski taught at UMM for two years, and was well respected and loved by his
students. He said he liked it here and intended to stay. When the time came for him
to make preparations to either stay or look for a position elsewhere, Vince asked the
administration to let him know what their plans were toward him. He then waited,
and waited, and waited, but his repeated requests for a commitment went without
a response. Since time was running out, he made other arrangements with another
college. Upon finding out that Vince was leaving, UMM's administration then voiced
their disappointment and admitted that they wanted him to stay, according to
Dr. Markowski. By that time the alternative plans had been made and he moved on.
Vincent Markowski now teaches at USM.

Now comes the matter of the second casualty of being loved and respected by students,
Kristy Hamilton. Her two-year contract has come to an end, she likes it here and is willing
to stay, but she did not make it to the second stage of the interview process with regard
to the tenure track position she sought at UMM.

On a college "faculty evaluation" site a student gave a glowing report on the attributes
of a particular professor. He concluded his comments with, "I hope this doesn't damage his
chances for tenure." Well, at UMM anyway, being popular with and respected by your
students can often be the kiss of death.

We miss you, Vince. So long, Kristy. We will miss you too.

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