Zooze the Horse roams around the pasture near Lamar State College. Zooze thinks about problems in academia. Zhe wants proffies to submit posts (blog posts, not fence posts).
There was a time when I would have welcomed it, and there is no small amount of guilt that I feel about shirking my duties, especially when I'd like to think I would work hard and be an advocate.
But the job is a terrible one. And I'd miss my department and my students - and the classroom.
Well, it's nice to be asked (so congrats), and it probably indicates that you're respected by some people whose respect you'd actually appreciate having.
It's also possible, of course, that some other people whose respect is less covetable thought they could push you around, but you proved them wrong by saying no.
And saying "no" to a terrible job is just plain smart.
I'm not sure exactly where the power lies in the academy these days, but it lies within the academy at all, it's several levels up from the jobs that used to carry at least some influence (and, yes, ability to be an advocate). I'm beginning to suspect that, in terms of any real influence, Dean is the new department chair (if that).
The provost still seems to have a good deal of power, though. So maybe if they ask you to be provost, you should say "yes"? Of course that's probably a terrible job, too.
Good call, Fab!
ReplyDeleteThere was a time when I would have welcomed it, and there is no small amount of guilt that I feel about shirking my duties, especially when I'd like to think I would work hard and be an advocate.
DeleteBut the job is a terrible one. And I'd miss my department and my students - and the classroom.
Well, it's nice to be asked (so congrats), and it probably indicates that you're respected by some people whose respect you'd actually appreciate having.
DeleteIt's also possible, of course, that some other people whose respect is less covetable thought they could push you around, but you proved them wrong by saying no.
And saying "no" to a terrible job is just plain smart.
I'm not sure exactly where the power lies in the academy these days, but it lies within the academy at all, it's several levels up from the jobs that used to carry at least some influence (and, yes, ability to be an advocate). I'm beginning to suspect that, in terms of any real influence, Dean is the new department chair (if that).
The provost still seems to have a good deal of power, though. So maybe if they ask you to be provost, you should say "yes"? Of course that's probably a terrible job, too.
Of course you did!
ReplyDeleteWhy not both?
ReplyDelete