ccstudent2ccfaculty
New member
Posts: 7
|
 |
« on: April 08, 2011, 03:05:00 PM » |
|
Hi all,
I am a current faculty member at a large CC. I have been at this place for a couple of years. I have noticed that faculty/staff moral is very low within the division. Staff seems to do what they want, they do not seem to have respects for rules, and leadership from the dean is absent. Most do not seem to respect him, as he lacks knowledge in the area he oversees.
The dean has been been approached and asked to address issues by numerous individuals asking for leadership and guidance, but yet he has failed to address or implement change. He also seems not to care as evident by his decisions and action (i.e leaving at 3pm everyday-office closes at 5pm, disappearing in time of need, and overall attitude).
My question is what can be done to improve faculty/staff morale? What can be done by me? I fear my environment is becoming toxic and we are reaching a tipping point.
Any feedback is appreciated.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
zharkov
|
|
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2011, 03:23:09 PM » |
|
What does the chair and your colleagues say?
Wild guesses: the dean is burnt out, retired in place, or is working on other priorities. (The provost's, not yours or the department's.) There are also sometimes reasons why a person needs to leave at a certain "early" time each day.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
__________ Zharkov's Razor: Adapting Zharkov a bit to this situation, ignorance and confusion can explain a lot.
|
|
|
ccstudent2ccfaculty
New member
Posts: 7
|
|
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2011, 03:29:53 PM » |
|
Would not guess worn out. He is going on his second year, but could be. I should probably clarify, this is a "Dean of Students" type position in student services/affairs.
Just getting to the point of frustration. An example that makes me question the leaving early part is this scenario: "Staff member has meeting from 2pm to 3pm. Staff member comes back from meeting and he mentions to staff member, I am surprised you came after that meeting. I would have gone home." (office closes at 5pm)--Why would you leave at 3pm and shaft over other staff that stays to 5pm.
This took me by surprise, given the fact that the previous months he was talking to staff about being accountable for their time. Seems to send mixed messages.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
zharkov
|
|
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2011, 07:13:06 AM » |
|
Just getting to the point of frustration. An example that makes me question the leaving early part is this scenario: "Staff member has meeting from 2pm to 3pm. Staff member comes back from meeting and he mentions to staff member, I am surprised you came after that meeting. I would have gone home." (office closes at 5pm)--Why would you leave at 3pm and shaft over other staff that stays to 5pm.
So why does this bother you yourself? He is not your dean, right? There are all kinds of possible reasons why someone habitually leaves at 3pm, from the legit, to the semi-legit, to the fishy. But you are not in the position to really know, right? And frankly, I'm not quite sure why you think this is your business. Any more that it would be for this dean to tell you how to teach your classes. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
__________ Zharkov's Razor: Adapting Zharkov a bit to this situation, ignorance and confusion can explain a lot.
|
|
|
|
polly_mer
|
|
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2011, 10:08:53 AM » |
|
ccstudent2ccfaculty, your life will be immensely easier if you only worry about things that affect you and figure out how to deal or how to get out.
Having a dean who is never, but never, around is a problem. However, if you know the dean won't be in the office after 3 pm then you have to schedule an appointment before 3 or wait until the next business day to discuss whatever you need discussed, then you have no problem.
If people only do their jobs and nothing more, then that's how things are done where you are. Accept it and learn what the real rules are. I can assure you that everywhere has rules; they may not be the officially written rules, but your institution/department has rules. Your life will be easier if you discover what they are and obey them. Perhaps the dean doesn't have the power; someone has the power. Find out who that is.
Without more information, we can't know if you are somewhere toxic or just somewhere that doesn't function as you think it should. A toxic place means you can't trust what anyone says, written communication doesn't happen because no one wants to be held to writing, and you are always watching your back for the next knife. That's not the same as a place where people are content to do the minimum, are not best friends, and refuse responsibility until it is thrust upon them.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
If you haven't got either the anatomical or metaphorical balls to post your own question on a pseudonymous internet forum, then academia is the wrong job for you.
|
|
|
ccstudent2ccfaculty
New member
Posts: 7
|
|
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2011, 10:59:35 AM » |
|
Actually, everyone at my workplace always wants to get everything in writing. I would consider that lack of trust. This dean is my immediate sup, that is why it is an issue with me. Should have been more clear. Faculty and staff always mention to "get it in writing." Does this sound like a lack of trust? In other places I have worked I have just had worked with faculty and staff that you could take their word for it.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
lyndonparker
|
|
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2011, 01:18:03 PM » |
|
Having to get everything in writing indicates an environment in which I would not thrive, but so long as you know that, you should follow procedures. It makes it easier. Look for another job if you need to, but in the interim do what they say and try not to worry about it.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Lyndon always has such a nice succinct way of putting things.
|
|
|
|
zharkov
|
|
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2011, 02:27:27 PM » |
|
This dean is my immediate sup, that is why it is an issue with me. Should have been more clear.
Yes, you should have made it more clear, since it changes things quite a bit. The stuff about "getting things in writing" seems a distraction from the real question, IMHO. So the straight dope is that you work in (something like) student services, the office is open from (something like) 9 to 5, and the dean, your boss, habitually leaves at 3pm. And you are wondering about that. So, have you ever asked him? "Gee Gerry, I notice you often leave by 3pm and I was wondering about that." There are, naturally, dozens and dozens of legit, semi-legit, and fishy explanations and motivations for this behavior, so we could waste dozens of posts guessing about this. So rather than that, how about you just ask "Gerry" on Monday and report back. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
__________ Zharkov's Razor: Adapting Zharkov a bit to this situation, ignorance and confusion can explain a lot.
|
|
|
|
polly_mer
|
|
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2011, 04:52:30 PM » |
|
There are, naturally, dozens and dozens of legit, semi-legit, and fishy explanations and motivations for this behavior, so we could waste dozens of posts guessing about this. So rather than that, how about you just ask "Gerry" on Monday and report back.
This. Provide us with information (personally, I would rather have lots of things in writing because I have a terrible memory, not because I don't trust people) and we can help. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
If you haven't got either the anatomical or metaphorical balls to post your own question on a pseudonymous internet forum, then academia is the wrong job for you.
|
|
|
|
dellaroux
|
|
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2011, 05:42:01 PM » |
|
Maybe he's dating a student who graduated last year and 3 PM is the only time....
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Pax in terra choreagibus
Ballo non bello parare
How am I?: There are four levels: Alive, Alert, Awake & Functioning. Right now, I'm standing upright & moving forward.
We are gifted superfluously--the cosmos is more generous than we can ask or imagine.
|
|
|
|
