Dean Jones says:

"You do make a very persuasive point:  I don't want my faculty to be 'falling behind'  in terms of the quality or currency of their research...OK, I will fund four trips to conferences for you each year for the next two years. 

But in terms of salary, at this point you are an 'unproven entity.'  If you were an eminent scholar wanting to move here from a 'Big-Name University' then I could see paying you a salary at the 99th percentile.  But you aren't; you are just starting your career.

Tell you what:  I am willing to adjust my offer a bit. I'll raise the nine-month salary to the 55th percentile. And, just to sweeten the deal, I'll lower the number of days per week that you teach to three. 

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

**FOUR guaranteed trips to conferences 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 55th percentile

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

**Three-day a week teaching schedule."

How will you respond?

1.  I appreciate your flexibility in terms of the number of conferences.  I accept your generous offer.

2.  I appreciate your flexibility in terms of the number of conferences.  Can we also discuss a graduate assistant?

3.  I appreciate your flexibility in terms of the number of conferences. Can we next discuss the proposal that I teach three summer sessions?

4.  I appreciate your flexibility in terms of the number of conferences.  Can we discuss the salary a bit more?  The 55th percentile seems low compared to my other offers...