Please keep in mind that this is not meant to be a socialistic commentary but my perspective on what is going on at work.
Things at work have been very tight here of late. There have have had been rumors of budget cutbacks and lay-offs. Well, that has been confirmed as recent as three weeks ago. The heads of departments have been told to cut any unnecessary spending and even staff. They have even been told to make five year projected budget cut-backs in order to save money, which should have been done five years previously so we would not be in the predicament we are in today.
I feel that while the Country is undergoing an economic reconstruction, the Administration should take a long look at all monetary oversights with-in their fiscal budget. It is easy to look at a sheet of paper and dismantle entire departments, lay-off individuals that actually run the facility while sitting in an Ivory Tower with all of the amenities one might need, including two-ply bathroom tissue. I'm not saying that they have not put time and consideration into their decisions because "heavy is the head that wears the crown", but I do not believe they looked inward before looking to other departments for cut-backs.
Is there any reason that the Dean of the Commons is living, from what I understand rent-free, in a newly built three million dollar home on campus? Is there a reason why our "leaders" need to be driving Company bought Jaguars and BMW's? Is there a reason why they are being paid an outrageous salary for doing nothing more than going to meetings all day? What do these people have to offer other that a Master's degree or a Doctorate in a discipline? Do they truly deserve a six figure salary while "we" turn the gears of the University and go home broken, beaten, and hungry? I say no!
I will say this, I understand that we all have a role to play. So in conclusion I would like to say I am thankful for having a job in this day and age, actually I am even luckier to be able to have two jobs. I can sympathize with the plight that we have been struck with.
This is for my friends facing hard times. I hope all is going good and that your future is brighter in the upcoming months. Keep your heads up and stand tall.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Same Stuff, Different Shovel!
Well I have made it thru another day. It might not sound like much, but believe me it is a major accomplishment in itself! I work as a "Traffic Nazi" at Vanderbilt University. Everyday I am either avoiding my bosses or my many enemies, the students. Somehow I have been able to do so without repercussion.
I have been able to appease my bosses with occasionally towing cars and writing citations to the poor unfortunate souls who cross my path on a bad day. In the same sense I have been able to befriend some of my "victims" in the Grizzlybear's Kingdom of Greece. The students are actually great to work with at Vandy. They just need a little re-education on how to simply park a car occasionally. I have found that if you talk to them like a person and not like some silly kid they both respect you more and do what you ask of them. When you repremand them and make them feel like less of a person they want to rebell more and that makes my job just that much more difficult. Some of the other officers forget what it was like to be in their shoes. I like to think I'm close enough to their age and I cut them some slack. Then again it takes a MAJOR OFFENSE to get me out of my heated truck.
Today was much better though, we had our usual boring meeting. Thats not the good part mind you, it's what was presented in the meeting. My schedule was changed yet again! It will take a while to get used to but I think I can survive. I now get to work four 8 hour day shifts and one 8 hour night shift a week with an alternating Saturday night shift every 6 weeks. I was struggling to hold back my glee for the next agonizing hour and a half. For the past 14 monthes I have worked 5-6 nights a week and every Saturday, unless I were able to come up with some illness on the spur of the moment! I would like to thank my favorite 80's movie Ferris Buller's Day Off for my award winning performances when calling in so I can take a day to enjoy myself.
I have been able to appease my bosses with occasionally towing cars and writing citations to the poor unfortunate souls who cross my path on a bad day. In the same sense I have been able to befriend some of my "victims" in the Grizzlybear's Kingdom of Greece. The students are actually great to work with at Vandy. They just need a little re-education on how to simply park a car occasionally. I have found that if you talk to them like a person and not like some silly kid they both respect you more and do what you ask of them. When you repremand them and make them feel like less of a person they want to rebell more and that makes my job just that much more difficult. Some of the other officers forget what it was like to be in their shoes. I like to think I'm close enough to their age and I cut them some slack. Then again it takes a MAJOR OFFENSE to get me out of my heated truck.
Today was much better though, we had our usual boring meeting. Thats not the good part mind you, it's what was presented in the meeting. My schedule was changed yet again! It will take a while to get used to but I think I can survive. I now get to work four 8 hour day shifts and one 8 hour night shift a week with an alternating Saturday night shift every 6 weeks. I was struggling to hold back my glee for the next agonizing hour and a half. For the past 14 monthes I have worked 5-6 nights a week and every Saturday, unless I were able to come up with some illness on the spur of the moment! I would like to thank my favorite 80's movie Ferris Buller's Day Off for my award winning performances when calling in so I can take a day to enjoy myself.
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