The Venting Thread

[Langue_doc]

Anyone got experience with Avis?  Any ideas how to best handle such lunacy?

I would keep calling, or stopping by another location to see if they could exchange the car. I would also suggest that you advise them that you are not comfortable driving this particular car because of the configurations.

Disclaimer: I rent from Enterprise, and have never had any problems with them. They once swapped a car for me because they gave me a larger car than the one I had requested, and which was difficult for me to drive because of the location of the controls.

[Puget]

Good luck clean! In my youth, my family once arrived at the airport late at night and were informed that we had been "upgraded" to an F-150 pickup! When my parents tried to decline the "upgrade" they were informed it was the last vehicle in the lot. They were able to exchange it the next day, but it is still a running joke in the family every time we travel, to guess what "upgrade" may await us.

I think this vent is mostly to myself, for taking on too much in an effort to fix things for other people. We are hosting undergrads from another institution for a summer research program. I already took two, because not enough people from my department agreed to do this. We are a week in, and the coordinator emailed me yesterday evening saying another student is desperately unhappy with her match (for some reason they put her in Business when she wanted Psychology). She did NOT ask me to take her, just if she could be included in department events and lab meetings. It was me who suggested I could probably take her. So that's on me. BUT, these are URM students who are supposed to be getting a positive research experience this summer and potentially coming back here for grad school. I can't help but feel others should be stepping up more to make that happen. Walk the talk colleagues!

(It will be fine, I can catch her up, they can do a group project).

[Cheerful]

I can't help but feel others should be stepping up more to make that happen. Walk the talk colleagues!

Are you and colleagues given a stipend for this summer program?

[evil_physics_witchcraft]

Sorry you're dealing with this, clean. I would definitely call and B&M about it. Hope it works out.

[clean]

I have called.  There are no adjustments for that part of the seat. I went through the help guy, and then he told me where they hide the owner's manual (in the trunk in the spare tire well).  I went through the manual and there are no adjustments to be made.

They are expecting a shipment of cars this afternoon, so I am 'on hold'.  If they dont call me back, I will see if Costco (where I  made the reservation) can exert some more pressure. 

Ive tried to get some yard work done, and I successfully pruned the big thorny bush near the front walk, and moved the hoses, but I could not get any mowers to start and I could not find gas.  I dont want to just grab any ole can as some are set for 2 cycle engines (and have a type of oil in the gas which would not be good for the other mowers!)

It is already after 11 am, and that means that it is probably too hot to do anything for five or six hours now.  Hopefully my dad will be home by then and can tell me where everything is hidden.

The bad news is that once he comes home, he may insist on using the grass catcher!  As the rain has been good here, and he hasnt been able to mow (hence the hospital) Id be emptying the grass catcher A LOT!  (he uses the grass for mulch!)

IF I can mow without the grass catcher I will be faster and wont bother my back as much! 

Hopefully the car gets exchanged soon, and I expect my dad to be home this afternoon.  Then my mom can finally sleep in a bed (for a full night) and not in a chair or on a hospital couch for a few hours tops at a time!

[Puget]

I can't help but feel others should be stepping up more to make that happen. Walk the talk colleagues!

Are you and colleagues given a stipend for this summer program?

No, it, like all undergrad mentoring, is considered part of our service duties. A foundation grant funds the students, but there isn't any budget for stipends for mentors. That's the same as for our own undergrads who have summer funding from the university to do research in labs, so I don't think anyone would expect a stipend really. Some people just shirk most service.

[arcturus]

I can't help but feel others should be stepping up more to make that happen. Walk the talk colleagues!

Are you and colleagues given a stipend for this summer program?

No, it, like all undergrad mentoring, is considered part of our service duties. A foundation grant funds the students, but there isn't any budget for stipends for mentors. That's the same as for our own undergrads who have summer funding from the university to do research in labs, so I don't think anyone would expect a stipend really. Some people just shirk most service.

Same here. Mentoring undergraduate research students is an expected part of our service duties. When the students are good, it can be very rewarding. But summer research students coming from other universities tend to be hit and miss. Sometimes they have the potential, but not the skills (these are often the individuals who benefit most from the experience!). Sometimes they are just not interested in the project and so do not put in much effort. And sometimes, as is the case for my REU student this summer, they are a good match to the project and have the basic skills which can be the basis for a productive summer.

Given that mentoring undergraduate research students is more service than research, it is not unexpected that some faculty avoid it.  Often, those are also faculty who should not be mentoring such students, so it is somewhat of a win-win, even if the burden falls more heavily on other faculty. @Puget - make certain that you are documenting your efforts in your tenure/promotion files as part of your service to your field (not just your department).

[FishProf]

Our University Financial Exigency plan is coming out tomorrow.  One thing we already know is that they are going to take away compensation for supervising research and internships.

Yay!  No research or internships to supervise this year!

[clean]

Our University Financial Exigency plan is coming out tomorrow.  One thing we already know is that they are going to take away compensation for supervising research and internships.

Yay!  No research or internships to supervise this year!

Admin critters seem to forget that incentives work... and the lack of an incentive is just a negative incentive!!

Sometimes they look at everything is a COST problem, but when faculty cut back (as they are incentivized to do), the admin critters get introduced to the REVENUE PROBLEM!   

(Summer school 'loses money' so admin critters says 'cut summer wages'.  Faculty say "McDonalds pays better" or "for that I will make NO MOney and enjoy my life" and then the Admin Critter finds out that to REALLY lose money, cut off the summer tuition dollars!  No teachers = no classes = no students = no tuition!   (and as wages were only a fraction of tuition, they discover THE REAL problem!)

[Harlow2]

I have called.  There are no adjustments for that part of the seat. I went through the help guy, and then he told me where they hide the owner's manual (in the trunk in the spare tire well).  I went through the manual and there are no adjustments to be made.

They are expecting a shipment of cars this afternoon, so I am 'on hold'.  If they dont call me back, I will see if Costco (where I  made the reservation) can exert some more pressure. 

Ive tried to get some yard work done, and I successfully pruned the big thorny bush near the front walk, and moved the hoses, but I could not get any mowers to start and I could not find gas.  I dont want to just grab any ole can as some are set for 2 cycle engines (and have a type of oil in the gas which would not be good for the other mowers!)

It is already after 11 am, and that means that it is probably too hot to do anything for five or six hours now.  Hopefully my dad will be home by then and can tell me where everything is hidden.

The bad news is that once he comes home, he may insist on using the grass catcher!  As the rain has been good here, and he hasnt been able to mow (hence the hospital) Id be emptying the grass catcher A LOT!  (he uses the grass for mulch!)

IF I can mow without the grass catcher I will be faster and wont bother my back as much! 

Hopefully the car gets exchanged soon, and I expect my dad to be home this afternoon.  Then my mom can finally sleep in a bed (for a full night) and not in a chair or on a hospital couch for a few hours tops at a time!

So sorry, Clean. Hope your folks are able to settle back in easily and that you can have a less frustrating day.

[evil_physics_witchcraft]

Our AC unit dumped water in the basement. It's, hopefully, just a clog in the drain line. It could also be the drain pain or just a leak. We hooked up our air compressor and blew out the line. The AC pump worked and pumped water that had accumulated. Fingers crossed that this is it. We have someone coming just in case and I don't mind paying just for an inspection (trying to help the local economy). I don't know anything about changing out an evaporator coil or a drainpan. I suppose I could learn, but I'm just fricking overwhelmed at the moment.

Edit: We also have a car mass airflow sensor and thermostat to change today. And we also plan to take off the front end to check a few other things. We'll see how that goes. Ask me if I have time to grade anything.

[FishProf]

Our University Financial Exigency plan is coming out tomorrow.  One thing we already know is that they are going to take away compensation for supervising research and internships.

Yay!  No research or internships to supervise this year!

Admin critters seem to forget that incentives work... and the lack of an incentive is just a negative incentive!!

Sometimes they look at everything is a COST problem, but when faculty cut back (as they are incentivized to do), the admin critters get introduced to the REVENUE PROBLEM!   

(Summer school 'loses money' so admin critters says 'cut summer wages'.  Faculty say "McDonalds pays better" or "for that I will make NO MOney and enjoy my life" and then the Admin Critter finds out that to REALLY lose money, cut off the summer tuition dollars!  No teachers = no classes = no students = no tuition!   (and as wages were only a fraction of tuition, they discover THE REAL problem!)

Do you work at my school?

Our admins decided that if 1 faculty member was getting paid to teach a course in Costa Rica, adding a second section did not require a 2nd faculty member also getting paid.  I was the 2nd member, and they wanted me to go to Cost Rica for two weeks, supervise 22 students, and NOT.GET.PAID.  Yes, the expenses would be covered, but I would not get a dime for the labor (and since my area of expertise was both different and relevant) we could've done additional interesting work with the students while there.

The Provost agreed with them, saying it was the principle. 

Ahem, If 22 students cost $X in professor salary and generates $Y profit (~$12k), then TWO faculty cost $2X and Generate $2Y.  $2Y > Y.   

So, I declined.  22 students did NOT get to go on the trip, and $Y was lost. 

I'm not sure which principle that is, but UPHELD!

[mamselle]

Penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Again.

Very sorry, that has to be both frustrating and disappointing....my cousin taught in C. Rica for a few years and says he would still go back in a heartbeat.

M.

[Cheerful]

I was the 2nd member, and they wanted me to go to Cost Rica for two weeks, supervise 22 students, and NOT.GET.PAID.

LOL!

So, I declined.  22 students did NOT get to go on the trip, and $Y was lost.

Provost's and students' loss.  Your dignity retained.

[clean]

[quote]Do you work at my school?

Our admins decided that if 1 faculty member was getting paid to teach a course in Costa Rica, adding a second section did not require a 2nd faculty member also getting paid.  I was the 2nd member, and they wanted me to go to Cost Rica for two weeks, supervise 22 students, and NOT.GET.PAID.  Yes, the expenses would be covered, but I would not get a dime for the labor (and since my area of expertise was both different and relevant) we could've done additional interesting work with the students while there.[/quote]

I hope not!!

For 2 of my early years, I helped escort some students to New York.  I wasnt paid, though the other faculty member was!  I was reimbursed my expenses.... except for one, and that ended my participation!

I said that I dont eat breakfast, but I do have a diet coke early in the morning, and I wanted to buy a 2 liter bottle from a drug store and be reimbursed. The  department secretary said that the university would not reimburse for that, so I didnt go again! 

(and the prof in charge liked to go out drinking sake with some of the MBA students one of the nights and was 'ill' the next day.  Bullshit!  Im not paid AT ALL to take over!  Just to be the wing man in case a student needed to be taken to the ER or some other emergency!  Getting drunk (on more than one trip) is not an accident!