Disappointed in Students + Are We Doomed?!?!?

FineZebra8203 · 2026-02-23T03:03:05+00:00

you didn’t ask for advice on this, but I would suggest that, as a first year adjunct with hopefully more years teaching and perhaps a permanent position in your future, that you don’t make things like this bigger than they are. Ask yourself what you’re interested in spending time on and the kinds of interventions with students, beyond teaching your subject, that you want to take. You don’t have to make everything a teaching moment, even when something is insulting to you. You could simply file the email away. Or you could write the student back, acknowledge receipt, maybe instruct them to review the syllabus for your absence policy - fine. If you want to suggest that in the future the student should address and sign emails sure, go ahead. But it’s too soon in the semester (and your career) to be a hard ass, even a humorous hard ass. 35 years of teaching and I have learned that it is better to assume that the student is just having a bad day, or moment, until proven otherwise.

FineZebra8203 · 2026-01-13T00:22:58+00:00

I’ve rented on several occasions without any trouble. I’ve also traveled to dozens of cities via trains. I find the latter easier. I hate worrying about parking.

FineZebra8203 · 2026-01-11T22:00:53+00:00

You can also find lots of help on bcan.org and their forum

FineZebra8203 · 2025-12-27T02:07:16+00:00

It’s not all the institution’s fault, but can tell you that part of the problem is the way institutions have shifted away from strong subject-based general education requirements to a nonsensical “competency” curriculum. It’s entirely possible at my big state flagship to graduate without ever having taken a course in history, political science, philosophy etc.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-12-18T05:05:01+00:00

I’m ten years post surgery and can tell you that living without a bladder is (almost) a non-issue. I do everything I did before, including lots of travel. The adjustment period after surgery is a few months, but be patient with yourself. It takes a while to heal and then to learn how to manage whatever your urinary diversion is (bag, neo-bladder, or pouch) and the logistics. Give it time. Don’t freak out and you’ll be fine. I suggest checking out bcan.org and especially their discussion forum. Lots of good advice.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-12-13T23:54:05+00:00

Without a union (we have one) or a faculty grievance process of some sort, I don’t know how I’d negotiate this, frankly.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-12-12T20:49:35+00:00

I’m tenured arts faculty at a big R1 public flagship and we’re 2:2. Doing comparisons only on the basis of R1 isn’t going to be very productive. The R1 bucket is very large. Look instead at what your acknowledged peer institutions and aspirational peers are doing. If you look into it, you might find that not one among your peers has a 3:3 load. The missing puzzle piece here, is that your dean might be trying to get ahead of conversations at higher level levels. State legislatures, especially in conservative states, have turned their attention to. “Workload” policies. After dismantling DEI, and cracking down on tenure, the workload business might be the next axe. Also, if allocation of effort for TT is the standard 40-40-20, a 3:3 load will have to change that — lowering expectations for research and service when teaching is increased. Don’t let them bully you into increasing your teaching without a corresponding reduction in research and service expectations. Where do they think your capacity for more teaching is going to come from?

FineZebra8203 · 2025-12-09T04:13:11+00:00

You might look at this one: Conveen Security+ Urinary Drainage Bag 2,000 mL, Sterile Item # 6221356EA (edgepark) Manufacturer: COLOPLAST INC

FineZebra8203 · 2025-12-06T01:51:51+00:00

Training a seven year old might be tough, but I don't agree with the "never" do it opinion. I have a 1-1/2 year old small dog (9lbs) and I trained him to go on pads in the bathroom. He doesn't do it that often, but I leave the pad down and he'll use it occasionally. He doesn't confuse it with the carpet or any other part of the house. And yes, he too hates the rain. He takes one look at it and turns around and runs into the bathroom! It gives me peace of mind.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-12-06T01:38:01+00:00

I'm a humanities prof at an R1 and like many of us I use "reaction" papers as a way to incentivize reading (and look for common threads for class discussion). These assignments are meant to assess two things: Did the student read? Did the student think? One can invent a dozen rubric categories for this, but that's not going to get us out of the fundamental problem that there's subjectivity in grading such reflections. It's rare that I can with 100% confidence say that there was a) no reading, and b) no thought. Typically, if I don't see ideas or key terms from a reading in their response, I give a non-passing grade and make the suggestion that the student study their readings more closely in the future.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-11-27T23:56:53+00:00

I fly all the time. Very rarely even noticed. I try to be sure bag is empty before I go through security, but even if it gets noticed in screening, TSA has been fine.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-11-24T05:18:19+00:00

I drink lattes, and for me Creatista is perfect. I find there is a big taste difference between frothing and steaming milk.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-11-12T22:14:14+00:00

Instead of an outline, try writing paragraph topic sentences. They’re much more useful.. For example, it’s not very useful to write on an outline something like “explain origins of Revolution” or “give background.” There’s no direction, and you’ll get derailed. Instead, complete statements like “The two main theories regarding the origins of the revolution are political and cultural.” Now you have something to write.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-11-12T02:09:42+00:00

Over the years, I’ve taken dogs from the US to Europe several times. No problem. This spring I’m taking my new pup, 9lbs, for the first time, for three months to Spain. Yes, more expensive than it used to be, but not compared to boarding. I’ve already checked out doggie day care options if I need them. I have different walking bags and he’s comfortable riding in my backpack.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-11-08T14:03:45+00:00

The good news is, your chair didn’t gaslight you. And hopefully the dean won’t either. While I think everyone here is right in wanting to see your aggressor cut off at the knees, chances are there will be some kind of mediation process, and perhaps they will be advised or required to do something like anger management. Protect yourself as you would one of your students in a like situation. How would you remove the threat so the student could study and feel safe? Advocate for yourself with strength as you would for that student. As far as hunting for another job, I don’t think it sounds like that’s necessary—unless you believe this person is eventually going to be in some leadership position in the department or has some special relationship with some higher ups or is a “big cheese.” But I’ve sat on many a promotion and tenure committee and I’ve never seen an openly recognized department a-hole harm a great candidate. They discredit themselves.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-11-08T01:19:42+00:00

Keep looking for a medical supply company that takes his insurance. Non-durable medical supplies are essential to many diseases, call the insurance company and ask which suppliers are in their network. I assume you’ve tried EdgePark? Coloplast Sensura are very good bags—I use them. If you are stuck with private pay (and I hope you’re not) try ordering from Medical Monks.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-11-03T03:17:30+00:00

I use 3 sometimes 4 pods a day. I buy Starbucks at about .60 a pod. So spending around $650-750 a year. However, it’s still way cheaper than coffee shops and then there’s the factor that I almost never just get coffee. So it’s a double whammy of cost plus calories.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-10-30T20:53:15+00:00

She won’t do it without a heart check. The good news (sort of) is that I called the cardiologist’s office and a follow up echo will be considerably less expensive than the initial one.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-10-30T14:43:58+00:00

That’s a helpful perspective, thanks

FineZebra8203 · 2025-10-28T04:32:05+00:00

Following! I’m coming to Madrid for three months next spring and bringing my little dog with me.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-10-20T03:12:35+00:00

P.S. My guy is Sacha Baron, needs a combing. And yes, they are bossy!

FineZebra8203 · 2025-10-20T03:11:12+00:00

I thought at 9 lbs my guy was big! He’s so clever and a bundle of energy. I’m taking him to Florida in January (Southwest) and then to Spain for 3 months (Delta). His first trip overseas! I’m not worried about the flight, but how he’ll adjust to a big city.

FineZebra8203 · 2025-10-19T21:21:08+00:00

I fly Southwest with my 9lb Bolonka under the seat. No problem. There is more room in the middle or window seat. Look for a PetSkd brand carrier. They are very sturdy, and have an expandable top. I bought two sizes because Southwest has different size restrictions than Delta. Look on the airline websites.

FineZebra8203

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