Curse of being a theorist!
December 27th, 2006
A young physicist, upon learning that he was denied tenure after six productive years, requested a meeting with the Provost for an explanation, and a possible appeal.
At the meeting, the Provost told the young physicist, “I’m sorry to tell you that the needs of the University have shifted somewhat, during the past six-years leading up to your tenure decision. In point of fact, what we now require is a female, condensed-matter experimentalist. Unfortunately, you are a male, high-energy theorist!”
Dejected but not defeated, the young physicist thought for a moment about the implications of the Provost’s words. “Sir,” he said, “I would be willing to convert in two of the three categories you mention, but … I’ll never agree to become an experimentalist!”
Yup, been there, done that!
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