Re: JOB OPENING

[Rob Melton <RMELTON@UKANVM.BITNET>]

Yes, I interviewed and was offered the position of Manuscripts Curator there
about 4 years ago.  I had five reasons for turning it down:  a) I wasn't
sure I liked the head of the Department; b) I was wary that their budget
wasn't going to support any additional major literary manuscripts acquisitions;
c) the cost of living; d) Storrs is kind of in the sticks; and e) career-wise,
I wasn't sure if I wanted to get tracked into manuscripts.
Problem a is no longer there.  Problem b, though, is still a factor.
The Library's budget seemed to swing wildly.  Since then, Ct. has passed an
income tax of some sort, but I'm not sure how much it has helped the
universities.  I recently e-mailed an English prof there, who I met while I
interviewed, and he admitted that some of the buildings are in poor shape.
Of course, that's true at KU also.  A salary even in the mid-50's is going
to be puny for buying a nice sized house anywhere between Hartford and
Storrs, although some of the rural areas to the east might be possible.
On the positive, the Dodd Center was on the drawing boards when I was there,
and it looks very promising.   The person they hired after I turned them
down for Mss. curator does not, I believe, have a strong literary background,
but he may be working out okay.   I think that's all I know.  DO apply,
though, and of course 'mum's the word.'