Signs of the Times

My excursions today brought a few insights/questions to mind that I would like to share with my few, but loyal, readers.

The fountains are running again on campus.  Many of you are aware that Georgia has been in a severe drought for the past several years.  We have taken steps to conserve water and become much more conscious of our impact on the environment.  I'm proud to say that the residents of Clarke County sets records for water conservation (so much so that we're now facing increase water rates because the county can't afford to pay back it's bonds).  During the period of extreme conservation, the university shut down all of the fountains on campus to conserve water.  As I walked across campus today, I noticed the fountains are running again.  While this is a positive in terms of better conditions (i.e., rain), I am struck by the fact that conservation is only important in times of severe drought/water shortages.  Wouldn't the responsible action be to terminate fountains completely?

I also had occasion to venture into the library today (I needed some articles for my dissertation).  What surprised me most was that almost every table in the library was occupied.  I was aghast at the number of individuals utilizing the center of knowledge on campus.  Then, I remember that finals begin in a little over a week.  These are the students who are cramming for their final exams, rushing to finish papers and projects, and learning that they can no longer procrastinate.  I'm spending this week meeting with students to read drafts of papers and responding to a plethora of e-mail inquiries.  I am puzzled by the fact that students do not listen, read, or pay attention when I cover material in class.  It would actually save them so much time.  Why is that I do not understand my students?

Despite my routines and my ability to handle any situation, I can be surprised.  I typically pride myself on my ability to handle every situation with calm and rational abilities.  In short, I'm rarely thrown by a situation.  However, I was quite surprised this evening.  I began preparing dinner and I heard the sound of a lawnmower outside.  I rushed to the back door expecting to see some errant urchin dashing through the neighborhood on a stolen lawnmower (it is Athens after all).  Much to my surprise, it was the lawn service.  In the almost four years I have lived in this townhome, I can count on one hand the number of times the lawn people failed to show up on Tuesday morning between 5:30 and 6:00 am to maintain all of our lovely grass, shrubbery, and trees (they're excellent by the way).  I've spent the rest of the evening wondering what went wrong that they were so late today.  Now I'm wondering what this says about me.  Am I that weird/stressed?

Venturing into a New World

A couple of weeks I took my first step into a new world...the world of Apple.  I have been in need of a new mobile phone for a while, but I kept putting it off because I was hoping to have a new job before purchasing one.  However, my phone died about two weeks ago (the day before I was to leave for a conference in Norfolk), and I had no alternative but to venture into the AT&T store for a new phone.  Having considered my options for a while, my immediate choice was an iPhone.

While I was a bit disturbed to discover that there is no manual for the iPhone (everything is on iTunes), I have quickly adapted to the functionality of the phone.  The only issue I have is that it needs to be charged daily.  However, the myriad of methods for charging the phone is nice.  Thus, my foray into the world of Apple has been relatively painless.  What I haven't been able to figure out for myself my students have been able to tell me.

Given the problems that I have had with my laptops over the past years, I am seriously considering completely switching to a Mac as well.  My main reason for not switching thus far is that much of the statistical software I use is designed for PCs.  However, thru diligent research, I have discovered that most of the software I use is now Mac compatible.  Having talked to a number of Mac users, who tell me that although their systems are much more expensive than PCs, they NEVER crash (that alone is worth the price).  I think that sometime this fall I will be switching completely to a Mac.  Lookout Apple here I come.

Annoyed!

I cannot recall a time when I have been more annoyed than I have the past few days.  It seems that every time I get past one annoyance another is on the horizon.  Further, the annoyance seem to be coming from all facets of life at the moment.  In an attempt to relieve some of the annoyances plaguing my life at the moment, I have decided to compile a list of annoyances.

#1 - Bad Writing
I have recently finished grading my students' first papers, and I found the complete lack of writing skills incredibly annoying.  My job is to evaluate students' abilities to synthesize communication concepts, NOT to search endlessly for those concepts in poorly written papers.  I am puzzled by the inability to form a coherent sentence.

#2 - Withdrawal Deadlines
I have never had a semester as plagued by e-mails from students considering whether or not to withdraw from class.  This required an incredible amount of energy that I could have devoted to other work.  I long for the day when students are able to look at their grades and determine whether or not they should withdraw.

#3 - Incompetent Companies
I recently ordered supplies for an non-profit organization of which I am a member.  I placed the order two weeks in advance of when I needed the supplies.  Having never received the promised tracking number for my order, I contacted the company to discover that my order was on back order from a company that had failed to even fill the order.  Due to the inability of these companies to perform at adequate standards, I am now rushed to complete my work on time.  Thankfully, I called today to straighten out the mess!

#4 - Cheap Appliances
As I am going to be house-sitting for some friends over the next few days, I decided to prepare a few meals that I could simply microwave.  However, given the cheap appliance included in most rentals these days, every time that I cook something my oven smokes, and I enjoy a smoke-filled home.

Here's to hoping the annoyance ends!

Spring is here...

Although the arrival of spring comes regularly, the actual arrival (i.e., weather, plants, etc.) of spring does not always coincide with the calendar.  However, I was pleasantly surprised on my walk this morning to see flocks of geese headed inland.  Although a bit chilly this morning, I slowed my walk once I heard the honks of the geese and began searching the skies hoping to catch a glimpse of their beautiful formations.  Maybe it's just the farm kid in me, but this always seems to signal the arrival of spring.

To add to the springtime atmosphere, yesterday was the warm and windy.  For the first time this year, I was able to turn off the heat and open the windows.  Spring air flowing through the house always seems to invigorate me.  Today seems to be shaping up in quite the same manner.  While quite chilly this morning, the temperature is supposed to reach close to 70 degrees today.  Cool mornings and warm afternoons typify spring for me.

The final indicator of spring for me is the reawakening of plants, trees, and shrubs from their winter sleep.  Although I dread the rapid approach of pollen season, the thin coat of pollen on my car yesterday provided cheer that spring is here.  As I looked at the bare planters by the front door and on the back patio, I began to think about what I needed to get my own little world green again.  I'm ready to start spending time out on the patio.

Yeah for spring!

Appreciation

Returning home for spring break this year has made me aware of a number of things that I appreciate. 

Beautiful Views - I am reminded of this on 65N just as I leave Bee Branch.  I top the hill and can see miles and miles of the Ozarks.  This scene always reminds me how amazing God is and how grateful I am to have grown up surrounded by such beauty.

A Loving Family - My one year old niece has taken to hugging me when she first sees me.  It's amazing to me how much I enjoy the feelings that come from that.  My extended family is constantly demonstrating how much they care for me and support me.  When I think of all of the people who are in some way responsible for getting me where I am today, I am truly humbled by their sacrifices and their love and support.

Time Alone - Although I spend a lot of time by myself (such is the life of an academic), I am always surprised at how refreshing it is to spend 13 hours alone in the car with only my thoughts and cds.  Some of my best thinking occurs during these drives.

Technological Oblivion - My time spent at home and at my parents is time that disconnects me from the world in many ways.  I have dial-up speed Internet access.  I get sporadic cell reception, and very few people know where I am/contact me.  It's amazing how this rejuvenates me.

This is probably why I work better at home and I am more relaxed while working.  Further, the time with family always provides me a much needed boost in confidence and a renewed outlook on life.  Oh that this were a constant!

Landing an Academic Job

Many of you are aware that I'm currently searching for an academic job, so I thought I would share a few of my insights from the process with you.

Insight #1
You have absolutely NO control over this process.  Further, when you think you are controlling some aspect of the process, you are wrong.  Search committees and institutions move at their own pace and are incredibly idiosyncratic.  Don't bother searching for explanations for why they do what they do.

Insight #2
Campus visits are a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants experience.  The schedule will most likely change prior to your arrival to campus.  What you've prepared may not be what the committee/department wants from you, and you most likely were not given all of the information you needed to fully prepare.

Insight #3
Asking the same questions of different people will yield different responses.  This can be especially insightful if you're asking about the future of the department/program or what they're looking for in a colleague.

Insight #4
You will never be fully prepared for this experience.  Even if you have done an interview, every one is so unique that your experience does not always translate across interviews.  Do your best work and try not to worry.

Insight #5
Pay attention to your instincts.  If they're telling you that something is wrong, it probably is.  If you think something is up, it probably is.  Keep listening; if something really is up, someone will usually slip at some point.

An Academic Institution???

Today was the season opener for the Georgia Bulldogs (and many other university teams), who soundly defeated Georgia State – anyone not see that coming? Several events this weekend have me thinking about the athleticization of higher education in the U.S. Surprisingly, I had great attendance in my classes yesterday. Guess those pop quizzes are working! However, as events unfolded yesterday and today, I began to ponder if the primary function of UGA is academic or athletic in nature. For your consideration, I offer the following facts (with commentary of course):

The Main Library was closed today for fear the tailgaters would use it as a pit stop. As an academic, I find the closing of the building that most symbolizes knowledge and education quite troubling. The message is clear – focus on the game rather than your academic pursuits. The even greater concern is that no one seems to care that the library was closed – except those of us who needed to use it. I truly needed to work today, but did not have access to the tools I needed for my research. Further, given that there are 10 of us sharing an office (because the university doesn’t have the space to house our department), I have a cubicle in the library where I work. Closing the library denied me a space to work. The fact that the media reported the reason for the closing as fans propensity to use it as a pit stop furthers the notion that the library now symbolizes nothing more than a restroom to our society. We visit football stadiums for fun, excitement, etc., but we visit libraries to relieve ourselves.

Students, faculty, and staff who pay for university services forfeit their rights to those services on game days. Aside from the closing of the library, I provide two examples for your consideration. First, parking increased $120 this year, but most of us forfeit our right to park on campus during game weekends (see previous blog entry). The university is prohibiting people for using their offices and the library as well as accessing facilities for which they pay fees (which aren’t cheap). Second, last evening I tried to take the dog (I’m keeping Puff while Jillian is in DC) for a walk at Lake Herrick (the nature center located next to the intramural fields). I went online and checked the parking map to make sure that I could park there (many individuals must surrender their parking spaces at 4:30 pm on Friday). The parking map indicated that two of the lots were designated for RV parking, but that the rest were open. As I turned into the drive that leads to the parking lots, I was stopped by three staff members who informed me that I was not allowed to park there. I explained that I wanted to use the walking trails (a facility I pay a fee to use every semester) and that I had checked online and the 2008 map indicated that there were some lots available. The proceeded to inform me that I was not allowed to use the facility regardless of the information on the map. Some of us pay so others may play. Note that my payment is in educational sacrifice as well as monetary forms.

Education receives massive budget cuts, but the athletic budget seems to be fine. Many states are facing huge economic problems this year, and the state of Georgia just implemented some fairly drastic budget cuts for higher education (although states such as Arkansas and Missouri seem to be faring much better). UGA is currently in a situation where it will not be hiring desperately needed faculty this year, departments have cut travel for faculty and graduate students to attend conferences to further their own education, and some departments are even cutting staff positions to decrease their budgets. My department cut one staff position, cut travel, and is trying to get us to cut copying expenses (hard to do when most of us are virtually paperless). While we cannot get alumni and others to provide funds to defray these cuts, we can get donations to build things such as the Vince Dooley Memorial Garden. True, the athletic association is monetarily independent from the university (this is the same with most institutions), but this is about principle. The state takes a hit in tax dollars, while athletic departments don’t seem to be struggling (I’ve yet to hear about any travel cuts associated with an athletic team). Have we reached a point in our society where we’re willing to fund a university’s athletic endeavors, but not it’s academic ones? The state budget cuts received about two days worth of media coverage – athletics receives an entire year. After all, news stations have sports anchors rather than education anchors. At what point did our society begin to privilege athleticism over education?

UGA suspends campus alcohol policies during game days. At the beginning of every fall semester, the UGA instructional faculty receives a letter from the provost instructing us to be careful of our discussions about alcohol in classes. Further, the campus has a relatively strict policy concerning the use of alcohol by minors (although recent media reports have questioned the equality of enforcement). However, on game days, come one, come all with the alcohol! Tailgating on campus is quite the tradition and alcohol is a must for tailgaters. What sort of message is this sending students? Clearly, if this was tantamount to the safety of students, the university wouldn't acquiesce to the desires of football fans. Would it? Do we value entertainment above education? Where does concern for the other fit into this picture?

I have come to the conclusion that, in the minds of most, institutions of higher education no longer exist to provide an education to the next generation, to seek solutions to critical social problems, or to discover new knowledge that improves the human experience. Rather, they serve to meet the athletic/entertainment needs of the masses. In no way do I intend for these comments to serve as an indictment of the University of Georgia. This is not a UGA phenomenon – it’s happening all over this nation. I am deeply disturbed by the move our society is making with it's view of higher education. At what point do we stand up and say, “The purpose of universities is education, not athletics!” In the words of Dennis Kucinich, “Wake up America!”