What the hell?!

[madbassplaya]

This posts main intent is for me to vent I guess, so if you don't feel like reading this, I understand.

I am graduating this quarter! I am pretty excited about it. I am the first in my family to get a college degree and am very proud of myself for going to school full time, working full time, and playing in various bands throughout my college career.

Anyway, tonight the social science department had it's annual dinner for the social science majors. I am a sociology major, and I have been looking forward to this dinner for 3 years!

I was sitting at the table tonight with two of my favorite professors, and one of them was talking about selling his house. I ask him if he was leaving Tech or just moving into a new house. He replied that he was leaving Tech, and then told me that it was because they didn't want him. This was hard for me to believe, he was such a great teacher. He told me that it was his 6th year teaching at Tech and this is the year he could submit his tenure packet. He did so, and was informed by the dean/board that he was not wanted Tech anymore.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This is the man that made me think out of the box in his introductory Sociology class. I became a Sociology major because of that class!

It was supposed to be a great dinner, and I guess it still was, but it was sad to me that Tech's Sociology program is losing such a good teacher. What's also sad, is Tech is having it's budget cut significantly and they've announced that they can't hire any replacements if they lose someone.

This situation reminds me of the movie the dead poets society. If you don't fit into a certian box, they get rid of you.

[smperry]

That's rough. As I'm sure you know, a lot of places value research output (dollars and publications) over teaching ratings in granting tenure. I hope your professor finds a place that values his strengths.

Congratulations on your degree. It is quite an accomplishment and you should be proud.

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by smperry

That's rough. As I'm sure you know, a lot of places value research output (dollars and publications) over teaching ratings in granting tenure. I hope your professor finds a place that values his strengths.

Congratulations on your degree. It is quite an accomplishment and you should be proud.

At the university I attended, the professors were expected to excel in teaching, research and publications and service to the community. I guess my point was that simply inspiring people, while valuable, isn't as valuable as someone who inspiring and is a pillar in their field and community. I'm not saying the guy in question sucked, just that a another individual might have fit the criteria better.

Mike

[smperry]

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

At the university I attended, the professors were expected to excel in teaching, research and publications and service to the community. I guess my point was that simply inspiring people, while valuable, isn't as valuable as someone who inspiring and is a pillar in their field and community. I'm not saying the guy in question sucked, just that a another individual might have fit the criteria better.

Mike

I completely agree. Did you have a post that was deleted? or am I missing some inter-thread thing?

[bassman03]

Hey man, i know what you're goin thru sorta. My favorite teacher is leaving this year and i'm supposed to have another class that he'd teach next year. He's being replaced by some lady that i've not heard to much about. Good reference with the Dead Poet's Society. Ironically that's one of the movies he shows in the class i was gonna take.

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by smperry

I completely agree. Did you have a post that was deleted? or am I missing some inter-thread thing?

No, I was sorta referencing your post as part of mine in response to the OP.

Mike

[MakiSupaStar]

Hi.

[BillyRay]

When your parents say to you that life is not fair, they have academia specifically in mind. A lot of great teachers get brushed aside every year because of various reasons, many ridiculous. It's really a jungle and has nothing to envy Wall Street or big lawyers firms when it comes to man-eat-man, cuthroat attitudes, only with a fraction of the pay and almost no security if you don't get tenure.

[NJL]

i'm here maki: .

to the op: i truly feel for you, what a drag...

[PDavyduck]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Hi.