Professional Committment Defined

There is a line in my performance review for the year that states that the tenured faculty have concerns about my “professional commitment.” Since that is obviously not true as shown by my work I felt the need to question the group. Boobie said:

“We just want you to play with us. We know you have a lot of good ideas.”

Possible unsaid subtext would be:

• Tell us your ideas so we can use them since we don’t have any of our own.
• Show your loyalty by agreeing with us on every decision we make.
• Stop talking to the staff.

I found the whole interaction baffling and ironic since two of those present (Bully-boy and Blondie) had shunned me since the previous spring. Hard to play with those who don’t even speak when spoken to. And the others have never been that friendly either….

Selective Rebuilding

I dared question Bully-boy about when the computers in my area would be brought back to life. I had spoken to other units in Library and was told that all of their staff machines had some functionality and their student machines were now being worked on. Why the neglect of my area? I wonder?

He told me that my staff-person could take her work to another area to use a functioning machine. Not good enough, I said. No one else in Library was being relocated to work and I wanted my unit up and running.

He said that I didn’t know what I was talking about and it wasn’t true that other staff machines were working – clearly a rude response and a lie. I think the pressure is getting to him, as it should!

Shunning Library Style

Mighty cold here in Library. I am apparently being shunned by Bully-boy and Blondie as a result of the technical services coup thwarting. I have been greeting them with courtesy, nothing unusual, and yet they turn and walk away. I have heard they are good at holding grudges, which could be a problem if I were set on staying here and if I were willing to do anything for tenure. But, I am not and I am not. Some things are more important than playing that game, like playing the game with fairness and honesty.