The Open Forum

We have an accreditation commission visiting us. Today, they held an open forum for faculty to express how we feel about the way the university functions.

It was really funny because a professor would get up and say, “I’m a Distinguished Research Professor, I’ve worked here for 26 years. The administration is mishandling the university. The working environment is untenable, we are betraying our mission.”

Then a beaming administrator would get up and say, “I’m an Assistant Vice Dean for Information Technology. I’ve been here two months. Everything works great, everything’s wonderful.”

The strongest speaker was me. I mean, the Distinguished Research Professor of 26 years was also great but she cried. I was great and didn’t cry, so I win. I said everything you’ve heard me say a million times but without mentioning neoliberalism. The room fell dead silent after I spoke. Of course, then immediately two subservient women jumped up to say that it’s not true, the administration is great, we have fantastic DEI, etc.

“Ah, the strikebreaker squad is here,” I said loudly.

3 thoughts on “The Open Forum

    1. Thank you! To be honest, I almost cried. I didn’t expect myself to get emotional but I had spent the morning with people who are terrified of losing their jobs, and it got to me in a way I didn’t think it would. My Dean was looking daggers at me but he hates me anyway, so whatever.

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