After analyzing offer letters in the eleven GEP departments from
1998 through 2004 and 2005-2006, the GEP discovered wide disparities in how much relevant
information is included in any given offer. To ensure uniform and complete
offer letters, the GEP created a checklist of items an offer letter
should include, a sample
narrative template, and a template
organized
by category.
The GEP worked on this project in consultation with Provost Pizer, Dean Friedlander,
and Dean Henderson. Chairs now receive the checklist and both versions of the
template for use in writing offer letters. We will be examining letters further
to see if there are differences in letters written to men and women and if the
apparent differences represent an interaction among sex, rank, and department.
