WOW! Over 240 of you visited my first blog! Hmm… maybe it is time to offer a new one? Well, – I am still here (in Ohio) still waiting for the official invitation that was sent to me by the Russian host institution on August 7 by their postal service… big mistake!!! I am still waiting for it… I called them and asked them to issue a new invitation and send it via express delivery services (e.g., FedEx, DHL or USPS). But, then – life would be too simple. Russian consulate would not accept a scanned copy sent via e-mail and will issue visa only if they receive an original “official invitation”. The “official invitations” are issued only by the Russian Migration Authorities at the request of the hosting institution (the University). So – now we (myself and my host institution) are waiting for the Russian Migration Authorities to issue a new invitation… All I can do for now is to wait, brush on my somewhat rusty Russian and look at old Landsat images of the Vasyugan Mire, trying to discern any changes in the hydro-geomorphology of the area through the 1980’s, 90’s and 2000’s (any helpful suggestions anyone?) …all packed up and nowhere to go…
In the meantime, the Chair of my Department, where I spent 37-years of my life, sent me a terse memo to clean up my office, vacate it, and turn in my keys. OK – I loaded my car up with my books and all the mementos dear to me, and put my keys in his mail box …with a note to send me a bill for cleaning my office (…well – not reallyJ). Do you sense a bit of bitterness? I said already that it has been a long ride. The first 1/3 of my time in the department was blissful (under the chairmanship of a mild mannered unifier, loved by everyone), so I decided to stay put; everyone was collegial and nice to one other; no one made any political power plays, and no one was divisive. Then, when the Chair of the department was replaced, the climate changed. “Divide and rule” and nepotism became the norm. But it was too late for me to search for some greener and friendlier places. Do I have an ax to grind? You bet - the graduate program in hydrogeology became during 1990’s and 2000’s almost extinct - but I’ll spare you the gory details… and instead, let you have a peek at a short quiz. You might even be able to score 100% from what I’ve already told you; I actually sent it to the committee of my peers that oversaw and overturned the hearings on sanctions against me proposed by the Department Chair:
A. In your opinion, which University Department would deny a faculty member the symbolic status of “emeritus” when that individual retired after 37-years of conscientious service?
Choose one of the following:
1. Philosophy
2. Chemistry
3. Geography
4. Geology
5. English
6. Biology
Your answer:_________________________________________
B. How would you characterize a University Department that denies the status of “emeritus” to a faculty member who retired after 37-years of committed service?
Choose one of the following:
1. The Department is run as an old boys club, a clique to which one is admitted only by promising to conform with the dictates of said the Department’s Chair both at the present and in former chairmanships.
2. The former Chair is still “directing” that Department acting as personne gris behind the current Chair
3. The FAC Chair is always the Chair’s sidekick
4. The FAC is comprised solely of members of the club
5. The FAC consistently “rubber stamps” whatever the Chair wants
6. All of the above
Your answer:_________________________________________
C. What was the formal wording of the FAC and the Chair’s recommendation submitted to the Dean to deny this faculty “emeritus” status?
Choose one of the following:
1. This faculty member notoriously missed faculty/student drinking sessions at Ray’s Bar
2. This faculty member notoriously refused to bake goodies for Department welcome events.
3. This faculty member had “difficulties with teaching during recent years”
4. This faculty member has not generated enough research grant money
5. This faculty member used improper language when addressing his classes
6. This faculty member has a different teaching philosophy from the rest of the Department
Your answer:_________________________________________
D. How did the Department Chair react when the University Institutional Advancement informed him that the family and various alumni have established a scholarship fund (currently ca. $7K) in the name of this retiring faculty?
Choose one of the following:
1. He threw the reception party in the Department
2. He wrote the retiring faculty a thank you letter
3. He thanked him verbally
4. He invited him out for a drink
5. None of the above
Your answer:_________________________________________
E. What was the reaction of the former Department Chair when this faculty member successfully lobbied members of the National Ground-Water Well Association to donate to the University a fully equipped experimental well-field (2-production wells and 5-monitoring wells located near the stadium arena – a value of more than $10K in 1993 dollars when constructed), a facility which has been used every year since for class exercises?
Choose one of the following:
1. He threw the reception party in the Department
2. He wrote the faculty a thank you letter
3. He thank him verbally
4. He invited him for a drink
5. He wrote him that the experimental field is not needed
6. None of the above
Your answer:_____________________