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Negotiating Terms
for Your Academic Stay
In negotiating a position as a visiting scholar or researcher,
you can avoid many painful misunderstandings by obtaining
clear agreement, in writing, about a number of important issues.
If you are corresponding with a researcher (and not an administrator),
try to ascertain diplomatically whether the key administrator
who will be responsible for your arrangements is aware of
your needs and interests and is willing to assist in meeting
them. In universities, this key administrator is usually the
department chair.
In your preliminary correspondence, find out how much time
the principal faculty contact person, as well as others in
the department, will actually be able to devote to collaboration
or consultation with you. Also, find out how directly involved
your faculty contact will be in the specific research project
in which you are interested.
Discuss what form the collaboration will take. Request a
copy of the curriculum vitae of the people you will be working
with and become familiar with their work's scope and background,
as well as their individual educational backgrounds, travel
experience, and language abilities. Make sure you share proficiency
in at least one language with these people. Finally, arrive
at a mutual understanding about the length of time that you
will be visiting or working.
U.S. university departments may extend courtesies to visiting
scholars such as an office, a university identification card
that may allow access to such facilities as the university
library and gymnasium, authorization to apply for a parking
permit, and perhaps services of university support staff.
These privileges are by no means guaranteed. You should make
sure before you come that your expectations match those of
the department in detail, not just in broad outlines.
Universities and research centers in the United States are
not as highly subsidized as they are in many other countries.
Funds for research must be carefully budgeted within the department
or research program. If you need access to a personal computer
and particular software, specific laboratory equipment, or
time scheduled to use specialized university facilities, negotiate
with the department or the key administrators regarding how
these resources will be provided and funded.
In a number of research areas, for reasons of national security,
there are government restrictions to information access. If
the research center with which you are negotiating has been
awarded sensitive U.S. government contracts, the institution
may require that its researchers hold security clearances.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, this requirement may pose a
problem.
Sometimes visiting scholars wish to attend classes. Some
universities extend this option as a courtesy without charge;
some do not. Demands on faculty time and the tight budgets
of many institutions can make this issue a sensitive one.
If you think that you might be interested in taking courses,
whether for credit or not, correspond with the university
before beginning your stay so that everyone has a clear understanding,
in writing, of the policy.
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