I don't know if it's discouraging or a relief when academic professionals fall into wankery. *eyeroll* Uni politics are always fun, aren't they? First of all, it's insanely unprofessional to remove a Department Chair this close to the end of the term. That's just crazy.
I do have a question, though -- what's this five-year plan all about? (I do not remember your entry about the CLAS issue -- where is it?)
I completely agree, but I don't really think Sullivan ever had the intention of being "professonal". At this point, he doesn't care. He's going back to his secure professorship in the physics department, so English can burn.
You can't have it both ways. You can't. You can't work towards making your university a Top Ten for research, and then CUT CORNERS. And advertising???? Here's a fucking clue -- DO SOMETHING THE RIGHT WAY NOW AND MAYBE YOU'LL HAVE SOMETHING WORTH ADVERTISING LATER.
Not replacing retiring teachers?
Okay, that first one is just stupid. I mean, it's blindingly stupid. The market is so insanely flooded with profs and new grads who can't find work because there are so many professors holding on to their tenure with both hands in a death-grip. That's why there are so many adjuncts -- because they're cheaper to keep on staff (no bennies, paid on contract, etc.), but all of those adjuncts are waiting for the tenured profs to retire.
Never mind the fact that one thing students look for in a university is a low
( ... )
I am in complete awe at the stupidity. Complete. Awe. Oh, yay! You understand what it is to be a UF student!
The worst part? I mentioned in front of my Vict Lit TA this morning that I'm applying here for grad school and that the English department's deadline for applications is in January. She goes "yeah, I'd re-think that if I were you. I'm so glad I'm almost done." Way to inspire any confidence. Now I'm not only freaking out that I won't get in, I'm also freaking out that I will get in.
Hey...Not to switch topics or anything, but I just realize: you got your Masters in English, right? Are feelings of complete panic, despair and inadequecy normal when you're about a month away from the application deadline?
Are feelings of complete panic, despair and inadequecy normal when you're about a month away from the application deadline?
Ohyes. Without a doubt.
And... to be perfectly honest, I'm in agreement with your TA. You might want to either look at a few more programs and apply to them or something. I'll tell you right now, with what you've told me, I wouldn't touch the UF grad program with a ten foot pole. Unfortunately, it'll take five years for the morons in administration to see that they've completely screwed CLAS and the English Department in a big way.
Lord, it still makes my head hurt. A good friend of mine is a UF alum, and her two younger sisters are there now. I'm going to have to ask her if she's heard anything about this, because damn.
I do have a question, though -- what's this five-year plan all about? (I do not remember your entry about the CLAS issue -- where is it?)
...That was two questions. Sorry. ;)
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Link to first CLAS entry (which includes brief overview of 5-year plan): http://jazzy-fay.livejournal.com/104624.html
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...
......
.........
......................
....not..........enough.......dots.............
I... am at a loss. Really. A total loss.
It's like, wait, what? He... you can't... but....
ARGH!
You can't have it both ways. You can't. You can't work towards making your university a Top Ten for research, and then CUT CORNERS. And advertising???? Here's a fucking clue -- DO SOMETHING THE RIGHT WAY NOW AND MAYBE YOU'LL HAVE SOMETHING WORTH ADVERTISING LATER.
Not replacing retiring teachers?
Okay, that first one is just stupid. I mean, it's blindingly stupid. The market is so insanely flooded with profs and new grads who can't find work because there are so many professors holding on to their tenure with both hands in a death-grip. That's why there are so many adjuncts -- because they're cheaper to keep on staff (no bennies, paid on contract, etc.), but all of those adjuncts are waiting for the tenured profs to retire.
Never mind the fact that one thing students look for in a university is a low ( ... )
Reply
Oh, yay! You understand what it is to be a UF student!
The worst part? I mentioned in front of my Vict Lit TA this morning that I'm applying here for grad school and that the English department's deadline for applications is in January. She goes "yeah, I'd re-think that if I were you. I'm so glad I'm almost done." Way to inspire any confidence. Now I'm not only freaking out that I won't get in, I'm also freaking out that I will get in.
Hey...Not to switch topics or anything, but I just realize: you got your Masters in English, right? Are feelings of complete panic, despair and inadequecy normal when you're about a month away from the application deadline?
Reply
Ohyes. Without a doubt.
And... to be perfectly honest, I'm in agreement with your TA. You might want to either look at a few more programs and apply to them or something. I'll tell you right now, with what you've told me, I wouldn't touch the UF grad program with a ten foot pole. Unfortunately, it'll take five years for the morons in administration to see that they've completely screwed CLAS and the English Department in a big way.
Lord, it still makes my head hurt. A good friend of mine is a UF alum, and her two younger sisters are there now. I'm going to have to ask her if she's heard anything about this, because damn.
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Yeah, I've got a few suggestions for how they can cut their effing budget.
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