argument140 【clover】第五次小组作业 by 桔子susan

桔子susanUID: 2754084

140.The following appeared in a report of the Committee on Faculty
Promotions and Salaries at Elm City University.

"During her seventeen years as a professor of botany, Professor Thomas has
proved herself to be well worth her annual salary of $50,000. Her classes
are among the largest at the university, demonstrating her popularity
among students. Moreover, the money she has brought to the university in
research grants has exceeded her salary in each of the last two years.
Therefore, in consideration of Professor Thomas' demonstrated teaching and
research abilities, we recommend that she receive a $10,000 raise and a
promotion to Department Chairperson; without such a raise and promotion,
we fear that Professor Thomas will leave Elm City University for another
college."





The arguer recommends that Professor Thomas should receive a $10,000 raise and a promotion to Department Chairperson. Because the fear of her leaving without such raise and promotion. To be more convinced, the arguer mentioned some facts to prove Professor Thomas’ teaching and research abilities. However, I found this suggestion is unadvisable in several parts.

First of all, only based on her teaching and research abilities, the suggestion is too unsound to be adopted. The demonstrated teaching and research abilities barely indicate that the ability to occupy for Department Chairperson. This position would bring large quantities of additional work. And such work may have negative influncen on her teaching and research, if she fails to strike a balance between them.
In addition, few informaition of other professors is provided. There might be professors who are more suitable for Department Chairperson and with more outstanding teaching and research abilities. Without comparision with other professors, this suggestion seems unjust.

Besides, the teaching and research abilities of Professor Thomas may not as excellent as we considered. Teaching several largest classes among the university might not demonstrate her popularity among students. It is possible that only she teaches these classes.Thus, student have no choice, but take her classes. And there is no assurance that she could continuedly bring money to the university in research grants in the future.Generally speaking, whether one can get research fund depends on the project he or she works on. If Professor Thomas can not make some significative outcomes, she may not continuedly bring such large amount of money.
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Finally, no evidence shows that without such raise and promotion, Professor Thomas will leave Elm City University for another college. Applying for a new position in another college is not as easy as shopping at market. No evidence shows that another college would offer a better position to Professor Thomas. Moreover, perhaps she is quite satisefied with her current salary and working environment. As we known, a person who has worked in a same place for seventeen years, witnessing the development and change of a place where she devoted her painstaking effort in, is bound to have abundant nice memory there. Hence, without a better opportunity and sufficient reasons, Professor Thomas won’t leave Elm City University for another college.


In conclusion, an outstanding professor might not be an excellent Department Chairperson. A pious professor won’t leave a place where she works for seeventeen years without sufficient reasons. If Elm City University wants keep Professor Thomas, building nice repute and improving working environment are better choice.