Dean Jones says:

"Perhaps your are right...working with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) may be something that you will want to pursue after you have been here a few semesters.  Yes, that might be merely a distraction to you at this early point in your career.

How about something smaller that will only take one weekend?  Some of our faculty help students move into the dorms at the start of the semester.

Of course, one weekend of service warrants far less of an increase in the software and hardware budget...Still, I think I can make it 'worth your while' to assist for three hours with 'move-in day!'    

Here is the new contract package I'd like to offer you:

**ONE graduate assistant for TWO years.

**You agree to help on 'move-in day' for at least three hours.

**FOUR guaranteed trips to conferences each year for two years

**$1,345 for software to analyze data

**$11,121 for hardware (i.e., special computer processor and other equipment)

**A nine-month salary at the 55th percentile.

**Required to teach TWO summer sessions (each with high enrollment caps), neither of which count toward your teaching load

**Three-day a week teaching schedule."

Your response:

1.  I accept your offer.

2.  Your offer is not acceptable.  If you could afford more generous amounts for software and hardware previously, you can afford them now.  I don't understand why you are changing the amounts.