The Fora: A Higher Education Community

My immune system objects strenuously to whatever pollen is in such great quantities right now. I had to decide whether to have burning eyes with contacts or additional sinus pressure from glasses. And still be pleasant to people who think they should be able to take Baskets201: Intermediate Basketweaving at the same time as Baskets101: Introduction to Basketweaving, because they've "had it before" and "know what it's about"

Quote from: sinenomine on September 07, 2023, 07:10:33 AMI'm working from home today, and just popped into my kitchen to finish loading the dishwasher and start it — maybe all of a minute and a half. I returned to my computer to find eleven new emails had arrived in that time. Calgon, take me away! (1970s reference...)

Ha! I can so relate to this.

Quote from: evil_physics_witchcraft on September 07, 2023, 05:26:27 PM

Quote from: sinenomine on September 07, 2023, 07:10:33 AMI'm working from home today, and just popped into my kitchen to finish loading the dishwasher and start it — maybe all of a minute and a half. I returned to my computer to find eleven new emails had arrived in that time. Calgon, take me away! (1970s reference...)

Ha! I can so relate to this.

I remember those Calgon commercials.  We never had that brand around the house.  This made me curious to check to see whether they even still sell it.  I see that they do.

You might recall our staff were on strike over the summer, with faculty support. Looks like our faculty are likely to strike now.

The government has offered the university $230k for new expenses. The union asked them to spend it on equitable salaries for our adjuncts, topping up our benefits (which are at the same levels they were at in 1995), and establishing some research funding. The university instead wants to set up "wellness accounts" we can use to pay for gym memberships and such--including stuff already covered by our mediocre benefits plans. This, after nine months of considering the union's proposal and not saying a word. WTF? It's free money. Why wouldn't you spend it on what your faculty want, instead of wasting it on something nobody wants?

In solidarity with you, Parasaurolophus.  We have a good union, but state laws don't allow us to strike (though we've certainly had grounds to do so over the past dozen years). Either way, it sucks to be in that position.

Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 13, 2023, 10:30:56 PMYou might recall our staff were on strike over the summer, with faculty support. Looks like our faculty are likely to strike now.

The government has offered the university $230k for new expenses. The union asked them to spend it on equitable salaries for our adjuncts, topping up our benefits (which are at the same levels they were at in 1995), and establishing some research funding. The university instead wants to set up "wellness accounts" we can use to pay for gym memberships and such --including stuff already covered by our mediocre benefits plans. This, after nine months of considering the union's proposal and not saying a word. WTF? It's free money. Why wouldn't you spend it on what your faculty want, instead of wasting it on something nobody wants?

Because the local gyms, essential oil purveyors, and others who would make money off this deal have more juice with your university than the adjuncts.

Quote from: ciao_yall on September 14, 2023, 10:09:17 AM

Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 13, 2023, 10:30:56 PMYou might recall our staff were on strike over the summer, with faculty support. Looks like our faculty are likely to strike now.

The government has offered the university $230k for new expenses. The union asked them to spend it on equitable salaries for our adjuncts, topping up our benefits (which are at the same levels they were at in 1995), and establishing some research funding. The university instead wants to set up "wellness accounts" we can use to pay for gym memberships and such --including stuff already covered by our mediocre benefits plans. This, after nine months of considering the union's proposal and not saying a word. WTF? It's free money. Why wouldn't you spend it on what your faculty want, instead of wasting it on something nobody wants?

Because the local gyms, essential oil purveyors, and others who would make money off this deal have more juice with your university than the adjuncts.

More likely because increases to base salaries will require increases in the annual budget permanently.  Other kinds of benefits can more easily be held steady or even decreased in the future depending on the institution's finances.

Quote from: marshwiggle on September 14, 2023, 10:28:55 AM

Quote from: ciao_yall on September 14, 2023, 10:09:17 AM

Quote from: Parasaurolophus on September 13, 2023, 10:30:56 PMYou might recall our staff were on strike over the summer, with faculty support. Looks like our faculty are likely to strike now.

The government has offered the university $230k for new expenses. The union asked them to spend it on equitable salaries for our adjuncts, topping up our benefits (which are at the same levels they were at in 1995), and establishing some research funding. The university instead wants to set up "wellness accounts" we can use to pay for gym memberships and such --including stuff already covered by our mediocre benefits plans. This, after nine months of considering the union's proposal and not saying a word. WTF? It's free money. Why wouldn't you spend it on what your faculty want, instead of wasting it on something nobody wants?

Because the local gyms, essential oil purveyors, and others who would make money off this deal have more juice with your university than the adjuncts.

More likely because increases to base salaries will require increases in the annual budget permanently.  Other kinds of benefits can more easily be held steady or even decreased in the future depending on the institution's finances.

It's not a one-time pot of money; it's a permanent increase, provided the university can claim it for new expenses.

Student seems to be involved in an 'emergency cruise'.
the test is next Wednesday. This is a 7 week long class.  The syllabus was posted online (complying with state law) in July.  I emailed the syllabus the week before it started. Drop add for these fast classes is only 2 days long, so the student has had the syllabus for some time.  IF there was a conflict with the dates, why wait to tell me so that we could find an alternative?   So yesterday I get an email that they need help scheduling the exam.
Can you take it Saturday?  Does not seem so.
Can you take it Sunday?  Well, the ship leaves port, and Im not sure when I will be on board.

So what option is left?  Well, as an experienced cruiser myself, I know that internet service on board usually sucks, but it does not suck 24/7.  It is usually very decent between 2 and 4 am.  I suggested that the student make their appointment with Examity then, as that is the best internet access that they are likely to have.

"For the next three days, I will be having to wake up at about 2am to 3am so mid vacation just wouldn't be very convenient. "  .

It just SUCKS that the class you signed up for is causing such inconveniences for your vacation!   

(and no, I am not going to allow anyone to take the exam after the deadline, and since the student wont be back until Saturday, and not likely able to take the exam until Sunday even if I did, that is just WAY too late!  In a 7 week long class, if someone has an emergency that makes taking the test impossible, then an Incomplete is probably in order.)

You CAN work from a cruise ship.  I have done it! but sometimes you have to plan for it and sometimes you get up early to get good internet access.  It is unfortunate that is not convenient!    It is unfortunate that someone scheduled a week long cruise while taking a 7 week long class!   It is also unfortunate that they did not seek alternatives to the problem before there were no other 'convenient' options that could be worked out!  Cruises, in my experience, dont just pop up!  (and when they do, you sometimes have to say , "no, I can not go on that one.   It would not be convenient".)

Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 01, 2023, 01:59:34 PMHow do you get things done on days when all you want to do is lie in bed and not move? I'm having a lot of days like that.

I had multiple fits of convulsions yesterday, and now everything hurts. My muscles are sore, my head aches, and my stomach is resisting all attempts to feed it. I just want to curl up and vegetate, but my dissertation defense is two weeks away so I really shouldn't.

I also have a ton of other stuff to do to prepare for finishing up school, switching health insurance and finding new providers, getting ready to move, and figuring out next steps career-wise.

I don't know if it's the stress of all this that's making me feel sick so often, but I need a way to work through the pain and weakness so I'm not even more stressed from falling behind.

apl68, doc700, and AvidReader, thanks so much for your responses.

I got through the last couple of weeks by following the advice to put everything else aside and single-mindedly focusing on prepping for the defense. It was Friday.

Relieved to say it went well. I had massive amounts of anxiety leading up to it, but during the actual event I surprised myself by staying pretty calm. I passed, and got some very nice comments from my committee (e.g. "You owned it!"). We celebrated as a lab with snacks and drinks in my PI's office.

Still have more thesis writing to do, and will have to file before the end of Fall term. But that is the only grad school hurdle left.

Oh, congratulations! I'm so glad to hear it went well.

Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 17, 2023, 02:29:54 PMapl68, doc700, and AvidReader, thanks so much for your responses.

I got through the last couple of weeks by following the advice to put everything else aside and single-mindedly focusing on prepping for the defense. It was Friday.

Relieved to say it went well. I had massive amounts of anxiety leading up to it, but during the actual event I surprised myself by staying pretty calm. I passed, and got some very nice comments from my committee (e.g. "You owned it!"). We celebrated as a lab with snacks and drinks in my PI's office.

Still have more thesis writing to do, and will have to file before the end of Fall term. But that is the only grad school hurdle left.

Congrats SCR!!! That's a big achievement!

SCR - Welcome to the club!

Reading about your success reminded me of my own defense.  Two decades on, it is still a boost to the ol' self esteem.

Quote from: smallcleanrat on September 17, 2023, 02:29:54 PMI got through the last couple of weeks by following the advice to put everything else aside and single-mindedly focusing on prepping for the defense. It was Friday.

Relieved to say it went well. I had massive amounts of anxiety leading up to it, but during the actual event I surprised myself by staying pretty calm. I passed, and got some very nice comments from my committee (e.g. "You owned it!"). We celebrated as a lab with snacks and drinks in my PI's office.

Still have more thesis writing to do, and will have to file before the end of Fall term. But that is the only grad school hurdle left.

Woo-hoo!  Glad to hear this excellent news.

Congratulations, smallcleanrat!