LOWELL BAKER on fri 14 mar 97
I feel a real need to respond to your complaint but I can't know the
exact nature of the situation there. I work in a "Research
Institution", chair the department, teach one class, occasionally
do my own studio work, teach occasional outside workshops, write
grants, conduct non-studio research, write some fiction and non-
fiction prose, enjoy my family and the occasional time
I get to spend working on my antique car or sailing.
Admittedly, I am continually stressed, but it is my choice. I grew
up in a family where my father was a college professor and then an
administrator. 40 years ago I heard the same conversations at home
that my wife and I have today. I don't believe that much has
changed. We have become a more litigious society which takes up
much more time (mostly for the administration). I remember thinking
that my professors of thirty years ago were not doing enough of their
own work and not available enough to me. I swore I would never
become them.
The things I learned from my professors, mentors and my checkered
career are it is important to do all of the job; it is important to
be a well rounded person, teaching is very important but it is not
the entire job description, we have always been required to serve on
committees and pour over mountains of paperwork. I also know that
there is a exit to most jobs. Although it is far too rare, some
college faculty do quit and go on to something else.
We are examples to our students not only in the class room but in our
work and lives. If we think they don't have some notion of who we
are then we are kidding ourselves. Some of us are great, dedicated,
hard working teachers and scholars and some of us have simply learned
to carry on the same old complaints of being overworked. I have seen
many faculty who do very little complain with the best of them and I
have seen really stressed faculty take on one more job.
You be the judge of the individual. There are no absolutes, but clay
people already know that. It took me over an hour to compose this
through many interuptions, called my job.
Lowell
The University of Alabama
Don Jones on sat 15 mar 97
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I feel a real need to respond to your complaint but I can't know the
>exact nature of the situation there. I work in a "Research
>Institution", chair the department, teach one class, occasionally
>do my own studio work, teach occasional outside workshops, write
>grants, conduct non-studio research, write some fiction and non-
>fiction prose, enjoy my family and the occasional time
>I get to spend working on my antique car or sailing.
>
>Admittedly, I am continually stressed, but it is my choice.
>Lowell
>The University of Alabama
Lowell,
I'm sorry but it is hard for some of us to feel sorry for you guys. From
my perspective, you live an ideal life........even knowing the weird
environment of some institutions.
Don Jones
changeablein albuquerque
LOWELL BAKER on mon 17 mar 97
I fully agree. I have a very hard time feeling sorry for us too. I
have been on both sides of this fence. I know it is much easier on
the academic side.
What I am saying is that if those in academia find it so hard; there
is a door. Quit and go out into the real world. I have moved back
and forth over the years.
There are so many good people who will fill the void and those who
leave will hardly be noticed. ( with the few exceptions)
I am very lucky to have this job. My stress is for the most part my
choice. When it is no longer fun, I know exactly how to change
things.
Lowell
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