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I don't know much more about the transition - only that the professor is becoming the new head effective [date], and that they have the support of the department.

Do I send congratulations (because it's a promotion) or condolences (because apparently some professors don't actually want the promotion, and only become the head of department reluctantly)?

Edit: what about the outgoing head of department? I clearly shouldn't send condolences in that case, but should I send congratulations?

Allure
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  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat. Please read this FAQ before posting another comment. – Massimo Ortolano Dec 22 '20 at 19:59
  • If you're so uncertain as to be Asking, consider saying nothing.

    If you want to follow convention, congratulate the new head of department.

    Again, if you want to follow convention, congratulate the outgoing head on his or her retirement.

     – Robbie Goodwin Dec 24 '20 at 00:37

9 Answers9

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That would depend on how well I knew the person. If they were a very close friend of long standing, I'd probably offer condolences, just as a joke. But that would take a special relationship.

In the general case, only congratulations are in order.

Buffy
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    Why would sending condolences be a joke? – ZeroTheHero Dec 21 '20 at 03:41
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    A better way of putting that might be "...offer tongue-in-cheek condolences". – Mark Morgan Lloyd Dec 21 '20 at 09:26
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    @ZeroTheHero: in France you would say (to a good friend of course) "I heard that you became head of the dept. My sincere condolences, you will have somehow to deal with that extra heap of money they will throw on you" - or something similar, in a tongue-in-cheek way. It very much depends on culture and your relationship. – WoJ Dec 21 '20 at 10:02
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    @ZeroTheHero (cont'd) In France we love the "second degree" - that is things that not to be taken literally. This can be cynical (it is awful) or as a way for someone not to feel obligated to explain why they got the promotion (and reply "oh yeah, it will be easier to bribe the students not to come to the course so that I can have a nap" instead) – WoJ Dec 21 '20 at 10:02
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    I did upvoted because it is exactly what I think is the spirit of the question. Which I would never have asked, simply as per this answer. I am surprised that it got upvotes and discussion. I would also say it is not about academia. – Alchimista Dec 21 '20 at 11:07
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    @ZeroTheHero "Why would sending condolences be a joke?" - because, typically, offering condolences is reserved for significantly more serious occasions (e.g. death of a family member), so sending condolences because someone got an unwanted promotion feels too strong in comparison, and thus has a joke-like quality. The tongue-in-cheek implication is that the person is terribly shaken by this change in their position and/or lifestyle; they mourn their old life. A: "Congrats on the promotion!" -B: "Thanks. I hate it." -A: "Well, my condolences then :P" – Filip Milovanović Dec 21 '20 at 13:45
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    @Allure & ZeroTheHero - In other, offering condolences in this context almost has the opposite effect of offering sincere sympathy; you're lightheartedly making fun of their situation. – Filip Milovanović Dec 21 '20 at 14:05
  • @FilipMilovanović I understand very well the irony in offering condolences. My comment was an irony on the irony. I understand condolences very well, and I do not wish the burden of being chair on anyone. – ZeroTheHero Dec 21 '20 at 14:37
  • @WoJ Does the head of the department get paid significantly more than a normal professor in France, or is that also part of the joke? – user3067860 Dec 21 '20 at 15:08
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    @user3067860: this is part of the (somehow lame) joke I made on the spot (I rather wanted to show that this would be the kind of "congratulations" one can expect to get from friends). The salary structure in academia in France is extremely flat (and low) – WoJ Dec 21 '20 at 15:17
  • @ZeroTheHero It would be similar to sending condolences for "high.aged" birthday (i. e. over 30 or over 40) or so. – glglgl Dec 23 '20 at 12:38
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If you have to ask this question of us, then don't send "Condolences".

It really is that simple.

MikeB
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Send a message expressing your enthusiasm for their upcoming chairpersonship, your trust that they will steer the department well, and your willingness to support them as needed to achieve their goals for the department.

At base, "condolences" and "congratulations" are saying "a bad/good thing just happened", information that the recipient was already in possession of. The important part is what you say after the condolence/congratulation.

Sneftel
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If you suspect that the person is taking on the job reluctantly, it is presumably for the good of the department that they have agreed to do so, and the appropriate sentiment to offer is not condolences but thanks.

A benefit of this approach is that it is also appropriate if the new chair was not reluctant to take the job. And it works for the outgoing chair, too.

Mark Meckes
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If they didn't want the appointment, they almost certainly could have turned it down and it would gone to someone else. So, I would offer congratulations.

Nicole Hamilton
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    Many departments do not have a "someone else." That's the point of condolences. – Anonymous Physicist Dec 21 '20 at 00:56
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    @AnonymousPhysicist Unlikely. At most institutions, the department chairman doesn't have to be a full professor; at many places, it could even be a lecturer. If they enough faculty to need a chairman, there is almost always someone else who wants the title. The only reason to offer condolences is because you think you're being funny. – Nicole Hamilton Dec 21 '20 at 00:59
  • This led to an extended discussion with many possible reasons and much empirical evidence being debated; this conversation has been moved to chat. Please read this FAQ before posting another comment. – cag51 Dec 23 '20 at 17:36
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I would consider that offering condolences is appropriate if you know the professor well enough to be confident that they will understand that it is a joke and not be offended by it. Otherwise, congratulations is the safe thing to offer.

As others have commented/answered, being department chair is often treated as a duty more than a prize. That doesn't mean anyone is forced to take the position or that it is a bad thing. It's just a reflection of the fact that most professors enjoy research and teaching more than administrative duties. (Of course, some professors do want to move to a career in university administration.) The joke is a succinct way of acknowledging that the position comes with heavy responsibilities that will leave less time for research, teaching, and family.

I want to add that department chairs are not meant to dictate what the other faculty do and a good chair will wield their power in consultation with their colleagues. Treating the position as a duty rather than a privilege is a way of emphasizing that.

Thomas
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In these days, especially, although also forever, being a dept chair has tooooo many impossible responsibilities. Sure, there is some "power", but unless one reeeeally highly values power and is not disturbed by responsibility... it is a negative trade. Yes, in my experience, in math in the U.S., a significant number of people willing/hoping to be dept heads are not really competent, either in terms of appraising the mathematical work of the faculty, or in dealing with people.

A very few people have been willing to "do good"... but very often have been completely obstructed (and vilified) by "good-ol' boy network" kind of action.

So: a few people do take up chairperson jobs in a positive way... but often not so positive, but greedy... and, even when motivated in the best possible way, will be completely blocked (and insulted) by people who have their own agendas.

paul garrett
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    Can you expand as to how OP should approach their situation? Even if the promotion is not wanted, it might not be appropriate to offer condolences. – user2390246 Dec 21 '20 at 08:48
  • Yes, and the "power" comes at the expense of a fairly large loss of freedom. Freedom to set your schedule. Freedom to follow your research interests. And more. – Buffy Dec 21 '20 at 13:41
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    My working theory on power is as follows and I recommend it. When a person becomes chair or dean or some such, they have various tools to lead. Persuasion and building consensus, for example. But they also get a teacup worth of authority and every time they apply authority rather than another tool they need to give up a pinch of authority from their remaining supply. No one will ever refill the cup. When it is empty you are done. You have no more true authority and no one will respect you in the future. Use other leadership tools and retain your authority. – Buffy Dec 21 '20 at 15:08
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Allure, why are you sending any wishes to them in the first place ? If you are part of that department, then your views/thoughts have already made themselves apparent expressly or otherwise. It's easy for anyone to know who is in favor or against them regardless of words said. So there's no need to formalise it. It's also better not to accord too much importance to our honoring of selected people: it makes us look like people trying to achieve importance through association - rather like universities awarding honorary degrees. The real test of your relationship with the new head will come soon enough. Save your powder till then.

If you are a member of another department and have occasional formal or informal meetings with the new head then just say nothing.

If you are just a personal friend, then you have to call it as you feel it.

Trunk
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Department chair has almost double the salary and the position is rotated at my university.

There is no reason to be sad someone is getting an extra 100k.

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