ABSTRACT
American conditions signify that there is a cadre of professors of relatively equal status rather than, as in Europe, usually a single professor who is also head of a department and personally controls whatever resources are available. European professors may continuously be burdened with administrative duties, but they may also be able to set their own schedules, use junior colleagues and students as research assistants, and have first crack at external research funds. Even when research should be halted to serve others self-organization will see to it that the aspects of one's job are performed in a selfsustaining manner given their due but not allowed to destroy the individual qualities. Professors at wealthy universities are also given or have reasonable opportunity to secure such services as secretarial help, speaking to colleagues on the phone, mailing letters and draft manuscripts, even sending material express so a professor can catch up with his mail while on the road.
