ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a general description of how and why vacancies occurred in the liberal arts departments of our sample of major universities in the academic years 1954-1955 and 1955-1956. The largest group of vacancies is caused by resignations. The involuntary termination, because it is dramatic in a feeble sort of way, is perhaps more interesting than the voluntary resignation. The departure of men who leave the department voluntarily is attributed primarily to their personal problems and personal relationships and thus it reflects no discredit on the reporting department. The departure of replacements from their former place of employment is attributed in good part to the prestige advantages of the new position and thus reflects credit on the reporting department. It is within this complex and highly subjective frame of attitudes that the lure of salary must be described.
