Re: [Phys-l] Letters of recommendation

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@hep.anl.gov>]

Hi all-
	Good point.   Many states and/or instiutions will defend you and 
be responsible for damages in the event of a lawsuit.  Also, opinions 
expressed in letters of reccomendation may be privilaeged in your state.
If you're really worried, you can carry, as I do,  an umbrella insurnce 
policy.
	Jobs at major research univerities that I am familiar with  rely 
very heavily on letters of reccomendation.  Similarly, with respect to 
admission to graduate schools.
			Regards,
				Jack


On Mon, 12 May 2008, Rauber, Joel wrote:

> I wonder if the threat of lawsuits isn't overly exagerated.  But perhaps
> not.  I've toyed with the idea (but not followed through); with being
> quite open about the letter of recommendation with the student.  I.e.
> let them see it and decide whether or not to mail it in.  Such a method
> should remove most possibility of lawsuits.
>
> ___________________
> Joel Rauber
> Department of Physics, SDSU
> Brookings, SD 57007
> Joel.Rauber@sdstate.edu
> 605.688.4293
>
>
>
> | -----Original Message-----
> | From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> | [mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf
> | Of Michael Edmiston
> | Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 1:33 PM
> | To: Forum for Physics Educators
> | Subject: Re: [Phys-l] failure is always an option
> |
> | 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
> |
> |
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> |
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