Lately I have been thinking about the model of community power structures (specifically school boards although it can also be applied to other organizations) by McCarty & Ramsey (1968): Dominated, Factional, Pluralistic, Inert. More later!

 What an impressive speech! Go Liz!

I just heard the president of Harvard resigned. It's about time. The headline said it was due to plagiarism claims and her congressional hearing performance. I agree her responses at the hearing were appalling (and interlocutor Stefanik's behavior was also appalling), but what outraged me is that she is a plagiarist with no shame -- and somehow landed a prestigious academic job.

Today was the last day for one of my classes; tomorrow is the last day for another; and, Monday is the last day for the third, and it is also the last day of classes. I don't do finals, primarily because there is no time to have an assignment due on December December 7 or 8 or 11 and make the grading deadline (December 14). I suppose it is possible if a scantron multiple choice is administered, but I don't like that kind of assessment.

The idiot who complained about "The Hill We Climb" and other school library materials in FL is quoted: "I’m not an expert,” she said. “I’m not a reader. I’m not a book person." Apparently FL is the right place for someone who wants to raise equally ignorant kids.

 While waiting for end of semester assignments to come in, I watched the consultant's report for my alma mater school district (it was impressive) and read a few newspaper articles. I had already read the study months ago. Apparently, the board has voted to close an elementary school, and plans to eventually close another, which will result in a central campus. This is a sensible plan that has many benefits - academic, financial and environmental (including decreased CO2). Closing schools is controversial and painful and invariably fuels irrational thinking. Parent groups are outraged, which I assume means there will be a faction elected to the board in an effort to preserve status quo. The statements made by the parents are idiotic wishful thinking. The demographics are not going to magically reverse - enrollment has been declining for decades and the same tired assertions are made every time change is suggested. The data doesn't lie. Pandemic-fueled Metro transplants are a drop in the bucket. I applaud the board finally being courageous. Hopefully the faction will not be able to reverse course.

 Granted, it's vulgar and ill-advised (it got her fired), but every day there is a new story that makes it more and more apt. Any time I feel blue about issues related to my job, I comfort myself by saying, "at least I'm not in Florida."

Later: Bingo. On occasion, I feel embarrassed to be associated with the place. Well, at least I'm not in Florida.

 This chills me to my bones.

I had a series of dreams last night. The first included my father. It was more about other things (specifically a song, "Stuck in the Middle" by Stealers Wheel), but it featured a large group (a dozen or more) sitting around a table having a big dinner, and my father was one of them. It may have been a restaurant, and there were other family members there as well as people I can't identify. I also can't specifically identify any other family although "the feeling" was that they were present. If it wasn't for satellite radio and a Facebook meme, I would not know who sang that song.

So after four years of drama, I was officially promoted to Lecturer II. Drama because it took years to get going, partially but not entirely due to the pandemic, and a year and a half to assemble the dossier and move through the various levels of voting, approvals and signatures. Today at the faculty meeting, it was stated that I am part of the initial batch (I thought I was part of the third or fourth) and my dossier and the department's process is setting the bar for the future. Assuming that's true (?), it is quite flattering.

Several nights ago, I had a dream with my grandmother in it. It was just an image of her, very clear, but she didn't speak. It was not like the dream I had in 1993 after she died. Although I think of her often (almost daily), I have rarely dreamed about her since that vivid visit nearly 30 years ago. It was good to see her.

On January 30 a high school friend died. She lived in Texas, and we were connected on Facebook for 10 years or so. She was a real friend in high school, not one of the popular, affluent, snobby clique members (many of whom are also now Facebook friends). She was tall, skinny and kind of awkward in high school, and from a huge family who seem to have health challenges, in that her parents died long ago and some of her siblings have already died. Anyway, she was always nice and funny. RIP Kris.

Three subjects today. First, on Saturday night, I had a dream that included my father. It was brief, just a glimpse. I think it happened because I was concerned that my mother would decide not to come to a family event the next day. In the dream, my father attended a gathering (not sure what it was), and she did not. (I'm relieved to report that she did attend the event the next day.)

Second, last night I watched the former president's announcement. I almost never watched him (except during COVID-19 briefings) when he was in office or during either campaign, but I was curious. I'd forgotten what a poor speaker he is, so vague, rambling and imprecise. The idiots who worship him eat it up though. It speaks to their ignorance. Seriously, the quality of our political candidates and elected officials is appalling. The media is not much better. ABC and CBS had a split screen with a pundit blabbing while the speech was going on. Why did they broadcast it at all? (NBC didn't.) They really believe viewers need a commentator to interpret? I had to watch on a local Miami station to be able to listen myself.

Third: This is shameful. I hardly know what else to write. I am embarrassed.

Full disclosure: I have been annoyed about the university's mascot change to a cropped-ear, mean-looking Dane, and as a result I have not donated since the image was revealed. I'm not a sports enthusiast, but I would be outraged by this even if I was a fan AND did not care about animal cruelty. What a weasel response - playing the victim. Ever heard of taking responsibility? I agree with this completely. Bravo. Ever hear of transparency and accountability? Last post I mentioned my trials with a class this semester. Part of the reason is a student associated with this team who has done nothing in class and blew it off presentation day. Student had zero involvement with this scandal AFAIK, but I wonder if it has something to do with the slacker behavior? I don't know because student is MIA. It's certainly no excuse, but regardless, it makes me even more pissed off. /end rant

The Chancellor resigned. In the memo, the part about being a SUNY alumnus really spoke to me. I don't blame him for exiting even though I hate that the talent is caving into the ignorant, opportunistic, and unethical while we are still in a pandemic - the biggest challenge of our lifetime. We are in scary times. I am sick over what media and politics have done to Andrew Cuomo, Chris Cuomo and now the Chancellor. I've no doubt all three could be jerks to work for but this witch hunt to cancel everything associated with the former governor is ridiculous.Someone (who?) must have perceived him as a major threat. Also disturbing is that many elected officials who join the media-initiated stone throwing are in the same party as the chosen target. But, one piece of good news late today: The AG is not going to run for governor. Yay! Now she has to prosecute all these dud cases. LOL. I hope Cuomo's defense team rips her to shreds.

I had heard the Chancellor was on the way out -- and today the news confirms it. The only thing that surprises me is that so far the AG hasn't located someone willing to manufacture a sex charge against him so she can continue her crusade of innocent until accused.

I am an early adopter of online teaching and learning and have been experimenting with remote delivery and alternative approaches since the 1990s, so when everyone everywhere "flipped" in March 2020, it wasn't that traumatic for me or for students who were taking my classes. Content ranged from 50-75% web-based before COVID-19. Since then it's 100%. I don't plan to go back to the physical classroom even post-pandemic (assuming that time ever comes ). I'll tell you a secret. My classes are *better* now. Radical redesign has been cathartic for me and students. Converting some classroom activities is challenging trial and error. Every semester since Spring 2020 I've been trying to figure out how to effectively play the game Set in small groups over Zoom. I use it to teach qualitative analysis and it was always a fun day in the classroom but I haven't been satisfied with the online approach. Yesterday I think I figured it out!! It's the plan for Thursday's class so stay tuned.

 Two unrelated subjects. First, on August 10, we adopted a cat. He's 11 years old, male, grey & white DSH. We have named him Noah. Both of us wanted another Maine Coon Cat, but it has been 18 months since Teddy died and animal adoption isn't easy ever, but less so in pandemic times, plus our personal schedule is complicated, to say the least. We could have adopted a pair of MC Cats if we were willing to get them from Florida, but that was too much even for us. So we've had Noah for 11 days. He's a nice cat, not aggressive, can be petted or picked up, doesn't mind Harry -- but he is also a spirit cat. He hides all the time. When he comes out, he does not run, he just is on a mission to get from one place to another and does not interact. We could not find him for two days. He wasn't hiding where he has been (behind the washer). Harry was crying near the filing cabinet in the office. Bob moved it and Noah must have jumped down into the corner of the room behind it, and had been trapped, not able to get out. He didn't meow to let us know. Harry was so happy to see him, but Noah just left the room and started hiding downstairs again. I feel bad for Harry. He's the reason I wanted a cat, so he'd have a companion. Hopefully Noah warms up eventually.

Second topic: I am so happy that I will not be going to campus in AY 2021-22. Look at the below picture that was proudly posted to Facebook! OMG. Newsflash: This is a VERY BAD idea. The students don't know any better. They look to administration to lead. What a terrible example the "leaders" are setting.

 This month I am eligible to retire, because I will hit 59.5 years old next week. Ironically, I am being considered for promotion in academic rank- my first since at the campus. And tomorrow those 60 or over become eligible for the vaccine; will miss that by 6 months!

Here's a beautiful piece of writing. And, I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately I don't think anyone is interested in toleration. That reminds me, I haven't taught it in a year, and probably will not be teaching that class again. I have not been annoyed by this change because it hadn't been fun to teach for a while. But I will be teaching ethics; that's a good thing.

I like this TU writer. He championed the village in the Save Our Stewarts advocacy and I am forever in his debt. However, I disagree with this column. A policy may have more than one goal, in this case supporting middle-class college students and keeping college graduates in the state. There will surely be consequences of this policy, and some may be unintended. One can debate the merits of the residency requirement, but trying to avoid being an exporter of our most skilled workers is hardly an evil justification. Making a deal that is palatable to both the Assembly and Senate is difficult. And, full disclosure, this will be good for SUNY, my undergraduate and graduate alma mater and where I have worked for nearly thirty years.

On a completely different subject, in honor of my father's 90th birthday, I am sharing this story I wrote years ago that was published by the Daily Freeman in 2006. Happy birthday to Daddy, one of the best storytellers I know.

 

My department's new musical logo & tagline! Also, the link to the new youtube channel:

Being a faculty member is a "good gig" for me, as I like to work independently. But there are occasions when support from someone else is helpful. Such is the case with finding academic materials. It's possible to locate whatever is needed without turning to others, of course, and that's my preference most of the time. However, when it comes to textbooks, there are incentives for publishers to sell their books, and no shortage of sales reps who (allegedly) are eager to lend a hand.

Not true. I have never been contacted by (or found on my own) a competent book sales rep. It isn't that I never hear from any; I am contacted all the time. But no matter the publishing house, the rep invariably disappoints. Check off another today! Sigh. Maybe it is a crummy job and so the rep puts in little effort, I don't know. That's really no excuse, though. Update your linkedin and get back to work, OK? On my own once again I guess.

Added: This has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of this post, but I didn't feel like creating a new one. I used to be somewhat interested in world and national events. Somewhat, not a news junkie by any means. I think that might have been before 9/11 and turning 40, both of which changed me.  Anyway, I find myself fascinated by the missing jet mystery. I've written before about my talent for detective work here.