Changes

Seems like much of my world is on flux these days. Never encountered so many without me being the one initiating them. Some are good, others, well, it is too soon to tell. Lost? Let me catch you up…

Work wise, it started with some dissatifaction with out new dean. He joined us 2 years ago and suddenly we find our entire school in a financial mess. I don’t blame him for this as I have learned over the last few months that the way the university handles allocations and assessments (taxes), we were headed this way anyway. What the Dean did do was hasten it by allowing departments to fill all their vacant positions. In universities and especially with schools of science, it’s not just hiring a person but that they also get large sums of money to get their search started. When we hired all these new folks, each got his share. Ouch! That plunged us down quick. The former dean would not fill such positions unless the department could provide a good case why someone was needed. Not only did we not invest all the money required for a new person but the salary that was allocated for the vacant posiiton could be put elsewhere in the budget. While we are in deep water, no (full time) jobs are at stake. That is one of the good things about being in a university. In fact, what will happen is that is central administration will help us out in the form of a loan that we have to eventually pay back. How much of a loan and what we’ll need to do is still unclear.

Of course everyone was upset by all this and the faculty pushed for an early review. The results are due to be finished today but I have heard from several reliable sources that he is out and will become a member of the math department. I have no idea who the chancellor will appoint to replace him although I know of one person who has been positioning himself for this move. Personally I will be very concerned should he get the position as he is someone hard to trust. He loves to play games and politics.

If that wasn’t enough, my chairman was offered a job as an assistant dean with another school in our university. He told us about this a couple of months ago but he still will not commit as to whether he is staying or going. When asked, he carefully avoids anything that we could view as a decision. There is a part of me that suspects he is leaving and is just trying to get all his ducks in a row. Of course now with the problems at our own dean level, someone as suggested that perhaps he could fill the role in an acting role until someone is hired. Not sure what his views are on this. He hasn’t really on any of this. His view is that it shouldn’t affect how we do our jobs and maybe he is right. For me though, It seems to affect some of my planning.

Unrelated is that 2 key staf members in our department are also leaving.

One we knew about and honestly, even though I like her as a person, I am not too bothered by her departure. He handled our financial stuff and at least where I was concerned, she didn’t do that great of a job. I have heard others say the same thing. She took the job to help pay for her to finish her literature masters degree which she did in May. A financial person shouldn’t be too hard to replace and in fact, someone who used to work here before her husband got transferred is going to fill that role. She’ll do great.

Th other person will be much harder to replace. She, like me, completely redefined her position and is involved in a lot of key areas. It would be far to say that she is our chairman’s right hand person. She had a lot of experience and really contribued to our department and school. Unfortunately for us, she is about to become a grandmother and wants to be close to her daughter and the baby who currently live in North Carolina. She she’s off; today was her last day. No job down there and for the next few years at least, no plan to find one. I am happy for her but will miss her just the same. Her replacement has already been hired and is a nice guy but he is young. Just been out of college 2 years. He has a lot to learn.

So as you can see, uncertainty surrounds me and while I continue to run my group, I think all the unknowns are slowly getting to me. I know they shouldn’t and generally I am one to role with change. I am sure I will snap out of it and honestly, we’ll see what happens at the chair and dean level soon. We have to. It’s not something that can last too much longer.

On the positive side of change, L is starting a new job on campus in a few weeks. She’ll be teaching 3 year olds in the campus daycare center. While the pay is about the same, the benefits are much better and more importantly, will be in a much better work environment. The place she is leaving was undertsaffed and really use up their people. L had to teach 1st and 2nd grade and often had to help with kindergarten when shorthanded. When school was not in session, it became a glorified daycare center with little room for staff to take vacations. I think it really took its toll on L to the point she was ready to get out of teaching entirely. I believe the new position will help energize her.

Sorry for such a long absence to be followed by all this. The good news for me is that I am going on a vacation to Myrtle Beach leaving the end of next week. It is the first real vacation I’ve taken in some time. A number of people are going, most of whom are In-Laws. That has some plusses and minuses but shouldn’t be a problem. I miss the ocean and that will be cleansing I am sure.