Friday, October 11, 2024

A beast and some beauty

It was a beast of a day. The college board has decided that with declining numbers they'll need to cut 33 full-time positions to stay fiscally viable. The sense of panic and grief was constant at today's faculty meeting and at most of the meetings leading into it. Tears, gallows humor, anger... I saw it all. 

On top of the lowgrade panic of the election, this job uncertainty feels almost unbearable. The plan is to announce the cuts by December 15th, which is apparently the deadline the AAUP suggests so people can begin to look for jobs for the next academic year. (But also, with the state of higher ed, what jobs?) 

The two bright spots at work were completing some more paperwork for the prison class (I always procrastinate on paperwork) and a mood-uplifting meeting with my student, faculty, and staff sisters on the Women's Board.

At home, it was Nu's actual birthday, and they seem kind of lit up from within. Heart eyes. 

Pic: The evening sky on my way home from work. The wind turbines and the cornfields make this so innately mid-Michgan. (I cropped out most of the car--I know, I know, I shouldn't be taking pictures--it was just so pretty though.)

10 comments:

Nance said...

Michigan is especially beautiful in the fall. I remember being so astonished by its colour and the way the sun seemed to illuminate everything when visiting there.

It's terrible that jobs are being cut at your college. I was on the block so many times before I was tenured at my position, and I remember all the feelings you so well described. It's horrible. And at the college level, where jobs are even more scarce, getting that news is even more dire.

Gillian said...

Take care.

Jenny said...

I take pictures in the car too- mine aren't as beautiful as yours though!
Sorry about the work stress- that sucks. Hope it all turns out okay.

StephLove said...

I have a lot of friends in academia and these stories are so familiar. Fingers crossed for you and your friends, but even if you're spared, losing that many faculty at a small college can't be good for students and the remaining faculty. I'm sorry.

Nicole said...

That's so stressful, Maya. What a difficult position to be in.

maya said...

I find myself agreeing with both your observations, Nance. (They're going to be cutting tenured positions too, reportedly.)

maya said...

Thank you.

maya said...

Thanks, Jenny. (I disagree about your pictures!)

maya said...

Thanks, Steph. It's close to a third--so every word of what you said resonates...

maya said...

Thank you for the support, Nicole XO

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