I, too found the use of Ms. a bit off-putting. OTOH, when I was an
undergraduate, we used Ms. and Mr. to refer to our profs. The point was made
that so many faculty had PhD's that there was no need to make the distinction.
If I'm not mistaken, the last time I checked the catalog, the profs were still
listed as Ms.and Mr.
I am one of those women who chose a small institution over a large one. It was
a concious decision. I wanted teaching to be my priority. I saw how
undergraduates were treated at my graduate institution and decided I wanted to
contribute to an undergraduate student experience that was more student/teaching
centered than research centered.
What I got was an institution in transition. Four courses each term and research
requirements. I am working harder than I did as a post doc! Not exactly the
situation described in the article. But oh well, at least I have a tenure track
job!
It is an interesting question which probably deserves greater exploration than
the article in the chronicle.
Karen Lee
Assistant Professor
Biology Dept.
Univ. Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Johnstown, PA 15904
