Being misrepresented on other sites...

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The Mayor

Well-Known Member
I often get knocked around on other web sites for calling myself a professor, but not being a professor. In particular, I used the tag-line "professor of mathematics" in the National Geographic Show "Beating Vegas." I want to set the record straight.

I was hired as an assistant professor of mathematics in 1983 at Ohio University.

I was tenured in mathematics in 1989 at Ohio University.

I was promoted to an associate professor of mathematics in 1991 at Ohio University*.

I was undergraduate chair of the department of mathematics at Ohio University from 1990 to 1994.

My resume and academic accomplishments are posted on this site and speak of a highly successful academic career.

I voluntarily left my tenured position in 1997. I was not asked to leave, and there was no other reason for me to leave, other than I was getting divorced, hated Ohio, and wanted to move to California to be closer to my aging parents.

In 1998 I started working as a lecturer at UCSB in computer science and have been a lecturer ever since. I do not want to be a professor again, and have not sought out such a position again (though I have been often approached to join the academic forces again). I simply have no interest.

It is my opinion that I am welcome to use any title I have ever earned, through my own hard work, expertise, and excellence. One of the titles I earned is "professor of mathematics." I have many others I could have used, but that seemed most appropriate for the show.

To those who take cheap shots on other web sites, I ask you what is to be gained by doing this? How do you help the community by doing these things? How does the discussion of our common interest benefit?

Our posts on Internet web sites represent who we are to the world.

--Mayor

=====================================
*The reason for the delay between tenure and promotion was that I caught the senior Algebraist in the department helping his own students pass the comprehensive examinations by giving them the questions ahead of time. I turned him in. He did everything in his power to get me denied tenure after I humiliated him, but failed due to my own excellence. The department fought for me against this man, and in the end gave me the promotion I deserved. I wrote about this here: http://www.cardcounter.com/Chapter_1_GG.htm
 
T

Titaniumman

Well-Known Member
Just consider the source.

The guy is always attacking somebody with lies, but if you stand up to him he starts whining like a baby.

He seems to think he can do anything he wants, but screams foul when someone does anything but lays down and takes it from him.

I think he's miserable, so don't worry about it.
 
G

gorilla player

Well-Known Member
what you are doing...

is considered perfectly acceptable at any academic institution I know of. Just as earning the degree Doctor of Philosophy entitles you to add the Ph.D. to the end of your name or the Dr. to the front. Once you have been in a professorial position, that title is yours as well...

I'd ignore the naysayers. BTW, exactly what degrees do they hold or what academic appointments are they in???

This tenured professor has absolutely no problem in seeing "Professor of Mathematics" on that TV blurb...
 
K

KennilworthKid

Active Member
You are professor enough for me!

I spent more years than I care to remember at university, earning both an bachelor's and a master's degree eventually. Indeed, I had plenty more semester hours than required for either degree. While there I always addressed all of my instructors at university as "professor" out of respect and courtesy rather than because of some bureaucratic salary scale designation. I found that quite often faculty members designated part-time or instructor were often more effective instructors than those with full professor status. If I were a student of yours currently, I would address you as Professor Jacobson.

And certainly, you currently are posted in the top public system in the most populus state in the US...that ain't to shabby!

I appreciate your sharing your knowledge with us and maintaing this site.
 
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suicyco maniac

Well-Known Member
I saw the post....

..and several others like it. I always wonder why some of the bright minds in the BJ comunity continue to attack each other. All I know about Eliot is he has always treated me with the utmost respect. Thanx 4 everything!! SM
 
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phantom007

Well-Known Member
Is Notre Dame still looking for a Coach?....

Dear Mayor:

Just joking! Though "hard math" + "psych" could be a good combination. If nothing else, you could motivate your good players, and for your BEST players, tutor them through basic math, so that they get off of ACADEMIC SUSPENSION, and back in the game! For example only:

Q: Yo' had sex with 2 white b#itches 6 weeks ago. Said b#itches lied to yo' ass...said they on the Pill, an' said they was 18. Now, sheit, it turns out that B#itch #1 was 17, numba' 2 was 15, and they ain't takin' no pills! Now, say both B#itches be a carr'n yo' kid, their Daddi's are p#ssed, and the Po-leece are a-com'n to yo' dorm.

THEREFORE, if the Police Station is 4 miles from your dormitory, and travels at an average speed of 30 m.p.h., but faces a constant headwind of 8 m.p.h., how long will it take police to get to you?

A: My ass be long-gone by then!

Mayor....it seems to me that those who are flaming you are either jealous of your accomplishments, and/or so inferior THAT THEY MUST STAND ON YOUR SHOULDERS IN ORDER TO LOOK BIG!

phantom007.
 
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sam

Member
academic titles

I didn't see the interview but here's an oldtimer's take on degrees and titles that appears to be consistent in my forty year teaching career. An MD is Doctor everywhere, but a PhD isn't usually referred to as Doctor outside the academy unless he/she is conducting academic business. The same seems true of the title Professor. Although outside the academy, Professor can be a reverential term when used to address a professor. Ministers with doctoral degrees are usually referred to as The Reverend Doctor Smith in all settings. Technically, the Mayor seems an ex-professor who chooses to be an adjunct faculty now. In either case he was and is a teacher of his speciality. Teacher as a title is not seen as impressively as Professor as a title. The Mayor can call himself whatever he chooses but if he isn't currently a professor, maybe he shouldn't bill himself as such. If he were retired from his position at Ohio U., he would refer to himself as Professor Emeritus.
 
T

The Mayor

Well-Known Member
Possibly...

I have been in academia for over 20 years, not the 40 you speak of, but not a little bit either. I have never heard of the rules you described for titles. Certainly a "senator" is forever a "senator" -- as is the case with almost all nationally elected positions and the governership. Once earned, forever kept.

When I was hired at UCSB, I was told that I could have whatever "title" I wanted -- they asked me to write my own titled since they didn't know what to do with me. How often does a tenured professor give up his tenure to become an adjunct lecturer? Well, I did.

UCSB decided to pay me at the "Associate Professor" scale even though I am adjunct faculty. About a year ago they offered me the equivalent of "undergraduate chair" duties here, but I declined. I am happy to just be a teacher, nothing more.

I decided on "Lecturer" because it seemed appropriate to the position, but I could also have kept "Professor" according to those who hired me.

Thanks for your input,

--Mayor
 
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sam

Member
a sweet deal

Mayor,

Being paid at the Associate level with no required (I'm assuming) committees, service, and publications sounds like a sweet deal to me. If my experience is any guide, the best teaching may be done by adjunct faculty.

I taught the last class of my career on Monday and I have some real concerns about missing the contact with students, so I think I understand the choices you've made. I'd guess that many of those choices were made because of the foolishness of an academic hierarchy more rigid the military. Anyway, I'm hoping the other enjoyments of teaching can continue beyond retirement.

Thanks for your response. I wish you well.

Sam
 
T

The Mayor

Well-Known Member
Yes, very sweet

>Being paid at the Associate level with no required (I'm assuming) committees, service, and publications sounds like a sweet deal to me.

It is incredibly sweet. No pressure to publish, write grants, write and grade Ph.D. exams, deal with department politics and meetings, interview candidates, listen to boring talks, etc. etc. etc. I just teach. It is the best job you could imagine, teaching great students at one of the top universities in the country, with none of the downside.

>I taught the last class of my career on Monday and I have some real concerns about missing the contact with students, so I think I understand the choices you've made.

Best of luck to you in your future and congratulations on your career! I wish you a joyous retirement, and hopefully you'll get to spend a bit more time at the tables.

--Mayor
 
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Sohrab

Active Member
Isaac Asimov

wrote about losing job as associate professor of biochemsitry at Boston because he was writing science fiction, but he got to keep his title because he had tenure, after "struggle" he called homeric.

When you were professor with tenure you are professor now.

And by the way, the information available here free is like information available there for money. Keep up with good work.
 
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