Dean Jones says:

"No...I don't 'have to do better than that.' 

I HAVE a job and you DON'T have a job, ha!

Nevertheless, your department chair is keen on hiring you, and it might be inconvenient to continue the search.  Therefore, I am willing to adjust my offer a bit. I'll raise the nine-month salary to the 50th percentile and lower the number of required summer sessions.

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

**ONE guaranteed trip to a conference each year for two years

**$1,000 for software to analyze data

**$10,000 for hardware (i.e., special computer processor and other equipment)

**A nine-month salary at the 50th percentile

**Required to teach three summer sessions, none of which count toward your teaching load

**Five-day a week teaching schedule."

How will you respond?

1.  "I accept your kind and generous offer."

2.  "I would like a nine-month salary at the 99th percentile and I'd like to teach only three days a week.  After all, you want me to conduct research too, don't you?  That is hard to do when teaching five days a week."

3.  "I would like a nine-month salary at the 99th percentile and I'd like FOUR guaranteed trips to conferences each year for the next two years.  After all, you want me to keep up with the latest research, don't you?