Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 16:51:32 -0400
From: "(Susan Sturgeon)" <SSTURGEON@MECN.MASS.EDU>
Subject: Re: the MLS as terminal degree (Dena Lahue)

We have an odd situation here which I would hate to see duplicated
anywhere else, but here goes.  In the definitions portion of our contract,
after many years of negotiation, the definition of our terminal degree
is an MLS with a total of
72 postgraduate credits, in other words, a double masters, except you do not
actually have to have the second degree.  In the ranks portion of our contract,
you must have a Ph.D. in order to reach the rank of Senior Librarian (a 4th rank).
However, librarians are hired and tenured all the time with nothing more
than the MLS, so.....go figure.  Basically, I'm afraid that the truth is that our
faculty union is capable of using the librarians as pawns to get what they want,
altho I believe that there are MANY advantages to being in the faculty unit.