How should I respond to this?

[JennsPeeps]

I'd call her or go sit down with her.

I work for a university & there's an admin who is increedibly rude by email & voicemail but very nice in person. She's got an awful reputation but everyone keetows to her. It's like she thrives on having this power over people. I can't stand it. A faculty member, who I like, tends to read only the 1st line of an email then insert her own rhetoric into the remainder of what she hasn't read and go off the deep end. I gave up and only call her, then send an email to follow up so that I've got a written record of our conversation.

Disarm this person & take away the opportunity for a snarky email that she can misinterpret. In person or over the phone will do a lot to mend bad feelings here (justified or not).

 

[fowltemptress]

I don't understand where in the letter she sounds snarky. It sounds like a reasonable question from someone wanting to be sure of a commitment. Are you sure you interpreted this correctly? It can be easy to misconstrue something that's written. If I were you, I'd be open to the possibility that this was a simple question with no intended rudeness, and treat it as such.

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Quote:
There has been quite a bit of union bashing on BYC, but this is precisely why I will only work at an AFT union facility. Back biting seems to be an olympic sport in some places. She can make it hard, but I have seniority so she can't refuse to offer me anything if they have it.

This is also why I work at two different types of institutions one high end one community. They seesaw in enrollment as the economy does. So I always get work!

 

[Renee]

Fellow adjunct and volunteer AFT union steward here. I would not antagonize a dean under any circumstances. If your position is like mine, regardless of the economy, contracts, or union protections, it is possible for administrators to make your life a living h-e-double toothpicks.

My impulse would be to say "why yes, I have always been fully committed to the college despite the callous way I have been treated and how poorly I am paid" but after enjoying the thought for a few moments and calming down I would actually say "yes, I am taking the appointment and this is my book choice. This must be a difficult time of year for you, is there anything I can do to help out?" And then hope she says no.

Each time I push aside the real me and force the better me to address an issue the easier it gets. By the time I die, I actually might be tolerable.

In Unity, Renee

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Actually, in our world over here they are cutting everybody it seems. The rumors we are hearing are that they will be cutting entire departments. Adjuncts, temp hires, tenure track and full tenure. Everybody will be gone.

In our department I think we are losing adjuncts and having the tenure track and tenured folks teach extra classes. There is a strong chance our temp hires will be let go and we will teach their classes too. (Our temp hires have the same salary and benefit packages as tenure track faculty. They just have year to year contracts instead of multi-year commitments.)

It's a bad situation all the way around and it appears that it will get worse before it gets better. Programs across the state will be closing and a lot of people are going to be out of work. I'm just praying that I keep some form of job, even if it means my workload is doubled. Must have job!!

Good luck to you, I Have What! I've adjuncted in the past as well. It's hard work (all of the responsibility with few of the benefits). On the plus side, I got to teach fun classes and had a lot of freedom with my schedule.

I hope the hateful lady backs off. It's no fun when there is tension at work.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Quote:

I really suggest you include this!! It shows that you're open and willing to discuss.

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

I appreciate the advice you all gave.

I waited until later and wrote he something along the lines of what meriruka said. It was professional. I told her I was very sorry she felt that she needed to confirm that I would commit to the class. I said that as the school had backed out on numerous occasions and I had only back out once that if there was a reason she was concerned about my reliability perhaps we should talk about it.


I was very polite and was as careful as I could be. She hasn't answered me yet. Wish me luck.

 

[WriterofWords]

I would give them my text book choice and a note that said I'd never backed out before not to worry. I would also attach a note that said you would not be held responisble though, if the class was cancelled or taken away from you again.