In response to Wes and Ken concerning letters of recommendation, I share
your dismay. I used to be a strong believer in letters. I have always
tried to write honest and worthwhile letters... still do. But I now realize
the value is practically nil. Part of the problem has come from those who
have written letters that weren't honest. Part of that problem has come
from the fear of being sued if the reviewed person believes or discovers
that a disparaging remark in the letter is what lost them the scholarship
(or job).
In "the real world" today (i.e. not academia) many supervisors will not
write letters of recommendation anymore. My brother is president of a major
investment firm, and he will not write letters of recommendation, and he
does not use letters of recommendation. He tells me I am stupid if I ever
write a letter that has anything negative in it because I am going to get my
butt sued some day. I also know for fact that some school boards have
offered to write a clean letter of recommendation for a teacher or even a
principal or superintendent if that teacher (or principal, or
superintendent) will resign rather than force the school board to fire them
mid-contract because of a significant indiscretion on the part of the
employee.
Sad, but letters of recommendation are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
Michael D. Edmiston, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry and Physics
Bluffton University
1 University Drive
Bluffton, OH 45817
419.358.3270
edmiston@bluffton.edu