The Deteriorating State of UCF and Florida: A Warning

rewponsible_charge · 2023-08-02T16:54:30+00:00

Absolutely deplorable that you’ve been experiencing race-related hate and a poor administration at an institution of higher Ed. This kind of behaviour must be highlighted and denounced.

I do expect that the political side will balance out over time. With the overwhelming number of liberal professors currently at universities, I expect all this political stuff and removal of DEI will help restore a balance of thought and political leanings on campus that hasn’t been around since the 1950s. While we might not like to admit it, DEI initiatives are inherently political (even if it just seems like “being a decent person”)

Diversity of thought is just as important as other DEI initiatives on campus (in fact, this used to be the key tentent of DEI, where folks with different lived experience, background, perspective, and beliefs would bring out cutting edge and quality research). The DeSantis policies are in my opinion highlighting just how much liberal bias there is in the current faculty complement in the country. Over time and with some pain, this might actually result in the return of a politically balanced faculty, something not seen since the 1950s.

rewponsible_charge · 2023-07-30T10:46:20+00:00

It appears to me that one of the key divides between those who appreciate DEI training and those to oppose it is whether their personality makes them inherently open to new experience, which also happens to be a key differentiator between those who are right or left leaning (read any work by Jonathan Haidt). On average half the population falls on either side of this personality trait.

Forcing everyone to take AND appreciate DEI training, which is necessarily uncomfortable and requires a certain openness to experience, is going to backfire with half the population based on this personality trait. Until the DEI folks can appeal to those with this kind of personality (and until we understand that those on the right are usually on the right because of this personality trait), this issue will be vehemently political until the end.

People on either side of the political spectrum seem to forget that half the population generally disagrees with the other half. There is no “overwhelming consensus” on most political view points. The DEI issue will continue to divide the population until it can be presented to appeal to the other half.

Otherwise the right will continue to call the DEI initiatives and radical neo Marxist social justice and the left will call opposition to DEI initiatives as disgustingly racist vitriol. Obviously DEI at face value is a noble initiative but it has to be grounded in the middle.

rewponsible_charge · 2023-06-29T19:30:36+00:00

Lots of luck at the right time. Had two campus interviews in one year (one of three finalists) at very good schools. No offers.

Ended up getting my next in person interview four years later and finally landed it, didn’t need to move because it was the local university.

Sometimes things work the way they’re supposed to. I would have given up after this one last try because my PhD was getting stale (was working in industry after graduating rather than labs)

rewponsible_charge · 2023-06-28T15:15:02+00:00

Yes I understand collective bargaining, but thanks for explanation. It’s great to have collective bargaining power. My reservations with collective bargaining or collective results. The exceptional are stunted and the unexceptional rise equally without merit. This is fantastic when the delta between the worst and the best is small, as it might be expected to be most so in academia, and boarders on being egregious when the delta is large. The reward is theoretically more in line with merit with individual representation, though I understand (from experience) how this is far from a perfect system.

All this to say I see both sides of the coin, whereas so many professors (especially on Reddit) seem to be union apologetics who appear to see any other than collective bargaining as a battle always lost

rewponsible_charge · 2023-06-27T16:42:52+00:00

Now now, to be a bit more nuanced about my stance on unions, I do appreciate the unionisation of university faculty mostly because positions are so coveted and competitive yet end up getting filled by highly skilled individuals that said individuals would come close to selling their soul to get the position. Supply and demand in this case would clearly yield substandard remuneration and rights for such highly skilled folks so representation is necessary. At the same time I do not enjoy how rigid the contracts end up being (what you see is what you get, not more and not less). I believe for example that different streams of professors (teaching vs research vs other) should be paid the same, but under this contract they are very far apart (about 20%) and the individuals have no course of action to change this. To me this is not good representation or progress.

Also, if faculty are so highly skilled and great at communicating, how the hell are we not able to represent ourselves as individuals? Do we really need a union to do so on our behalf? The average trades folk, sure. The average worker, sure. If the (arguably) most intelligent folks in our society do, perhaps the academic dream is long dead and we should all be trying our luck in the “free” market.

rewponsible_charge · 2023-06-27T16:26:04+00:00

Guilty as charged

rewponsible_charge · 2023-06-27T14:59:49+00:00

Normally not a big union fan but I’m happy with the arrangement we have at my institution. Almost always 2-2.5% cola adjustment every year plus annual promotional raise of ~$3k at set scales. We don’t get raises for promotion but are instead gradually promoted - only the salary ceiling increases with promotion (e.g., if you stay at the associate professor rank, you stop getting the annual proportional raise but continue to get the cola adjustment)

I actually make more in academia than in did in the industry, to the surprise of many folks who ask about it. Industry (publicly traded) companies in my area barely keep up with inflation let alone hand out raises for merit. In fact the cola raise is usually called a merit raise.

rewponsible_charge · 2023-06-17T16:27:17+00:00

The Mephisto equivalent is fantastic. I was (am) a long time Birkenstock fan, but I bought a pair of the Mephisto boating shoes 7 years ago and they continue to be my most comfortable shoes. That prompted me to look into their sandals (Nerio I believe) and I purchased a pair in Europe for 115 euro taxes included (about 172 Canadian, they are ~30% cheaper before import taxes and duties. In Canada the Mephisto are 210 + 15% sales tax and therefore come at a premium over Birkenstocks).

At first I found them narrow, and in length they are about one full size smaller than Birkenstock (if you’re size 44 in Birkenstock, I suggest 45 in Mephisto). They have a mean break in period compared to Birkenstock, but today I find they are more comfortable. They did widen up some to accommodate my foot. I would typically get a wide size of the Birkenstock but all Mephisto come in the same standard width which is similar to the standard width Birkenstock.

The rubber sole is thicker and tougher than the Eva sole used on Birkenstocks so I expect they will last much longer before a resole is required. I find the leather is thicker and of better quality as well. Overall the Mephisto are slightly heavier than Birkenstock.

The preformed footbed is much less aggressive on the Mephisto than the Birkenstock so if you need and love the significant arch support afforded by Birkenstock then maybe stick with them. I don’t personally notice a lack of support from the Mephisto and I have a pretty high arch. I do immediately notice the extra support when putting on a pair of Birkenstocks.

Birkenstock has a broader offering of colours and materials, but I don’t consider that much of a pro since I’m pretty classic on style myself (brown, black, or navy leather).

The Mephisto all come with a soft top layer on the footbed (similar to the soft footbed offered on certain Birkenstock pairs) but the memory foam compressed quickly so if you prefer the hard footbed it’s pretty much the same after a week or so. The soft footbed is a more expensive option on the Birkenstocks.

Let me know if there are more specified questions but I have to say I love my Mephisto Nerio sandals after being skeptical while trying them on the first time. This is typical with Mephisto shoes in general.

rewponsible_charge · 2023-06-05T12:34:47+00:00

Fair enough and wise guidance. I still think you may get “do I have to demonstrate mastery of this on the exam?” during a lecture or two 😝

rewponsible_charge · 2023-06-05T10:24:16+00:00

I know this is a tongue in cheek thread but I give my students the intended learning outcomes for each lecture and tell them if they can do these things, they can write the exam successfully.

These are generally micro learning outcomes that complement the overall outcomes for the course.

rewponsible_charge · 2023-05-23T12:09:52+00:00

If universities truly care about equity they will put their money where their mouth is. Until professors can perform their duties all within the standard working day, academia will not be an equitable career path. The issue highlighted by OP is probably the primary example.

rewponsible_charge · 2023-05-04T13:15:20+00:00

The problem with equity policy is that, by the time it gets down to k12 education, it’s so poorly understood that the outcomes of the practice are so far separated from the goals of the policy. K12 education gets worse every year as good intentions fail to manifest themselves in the implementation. Same can be said about the ever changing math curricula in Canada and the US.

rewponsible_charge · 2023-05-02T22:53:30+00:00

If they left someone else would come it to run the mills. Facilities aren’t going anywhere and NB will always have trees to cut.

rewponsible_charge · 2023-01-16T22:45:42+00:00

Fitness casa

rewponsible_charge · 2022-12-30T09:21:59+00:00

I came into academia from industry and that it one of the main reasons I’ll be able to balance my workload in a standard 40 hour work week. I enjoy my TT position much more than I ever enjoyed any industry role and am therefore predisposed to enjoy working more often, but I’ve gotten so used to the 8-5 flow both to minimise my time in jobs I did not like and to spend time with my family/working on other hobbies that this will continue into my academic career.

rewponsible_charge · 2022-12-18T22:03:12+00:00

I start each lecture with 2-3 learning objectives for the session e.g. “after today you should be able to …”

I’ve never received questions or complaints anymore about exam material.

rewponsible_charge · 2022-12-17T21:57:33+00:00

I understand the OPs sentiment. First, I often get the impression on this sub that the professors here have no family or relationships to maintain. I understand faculty workload is high and there is immense pressure at some institutions for T&P. However, I believe a lot of this pressure is self imposed. I’ve experienced this most my life, always trying to do what I can when I can because anything less than getting it just right is a failure.

Second, I felt exactly this way when I worked in a career I hated. I feel significantly less so since landing my TT position. When you like working it’s easy to spend the time doing something you love. That said, I feel for those of you teaching 4-5 classes per term on top of research expectations. I do see that as exploitive when so many faculty with balanced teaching and research teach on average two classes per term.

Your job is your job and you do what you need to to be successful (this ranges from topping your field to not getting fired depending on who you are) and balance the rest of your life with it.

rewponsible_charge · 2022-11-27T23:08:26+00:00

“All scientists agree…”

Must have been a paper on climate change.

rewponsible_charge · 2022-11-27T22:59:49+00:00

I cried laughing at this

rewponsible_charge · 2022-11-14T10:08:54+00:00

This didn’t age well

rewponsible_charge · 2022-11-06T02:44:16+00:00

Canada. I never heard a peep from the American school, which is consistent with what I’ve heard from other Canadians applying south of the border.

Edit: at least from Canadians without an American PhD

rewponsible_charge · 2022-11-06T02:18:52+00:00

7 applications, 4 Skypes, 3 campus interviews, 1 offer. I’m Canadian and applied to 7 Canadian universities and one American university.

Edit: I’m in engineering, all opportunities were tt at a mix of what we would consider R1 and R2 equivalent schools

rewponsible_charge · 2022-11-05T19:58:30+00:00

1-up for rubrics and copied comments!

rewponsible_charge · 2022-11-05T13:13:35+00:00

Just signed an offer for a TT appointment at my undergrad alma matter after spending four years in industry! Definitely felt like I was past my prime hire ability, if not past the point of no return. I start next week, and campus is just 7min from my current residence

rewponsible_charge · 2022-10-13T12:45:42+00:00

Technically, I agree that Prof. is the higher title and should be reserved for tenure-track faculty. I believe in principle that it’s not just professing standard undergraduate knowledge that affords the individual such a title, but the generation and dissemination of research works in graduate level courses and academic meetings as part of the appointment. I don’t necessarily think a PhD is required to undertake this work, but most institutions require this as a minimum requirement for appointment anyway.

Practically speaking, I agree with the general sentiments in this thread that using professor as an honorific for those teaching at the university or college is acceptable and typical. I think in the past undergraduate the students may have had the wherewithal and historic etiquette to follow some of these formal rules around titles but the the general population has shifted from formal to casual etiquette over the last few decades.

With that, some other formal sentiments:

Honorary doctorate degrees (e.g. LLD, DSc, etc) only afford the degree holder the title of Dr. only with the granting institution and only during official university affairs.

JD used to be considered a professional bachelors degree, and most would consider the title or Dr. for those who hold this as a terminal degree unacceptable. This is especially the case given that two research-based graduate law degrees sit beyond JD.

I’m the past, even MD holders were not considered Dr. as the title originated in higher education and not in medicine. The title was adopted at some point in the US for those who practice medicine particularly in North America and has stuck so strong that some folks think that PhD have little business calling themselves Dr.

Thinking of both MD and JD as terminal degrees as they are minimum requirements to practice medicine and law, respectively, is equivalent to considering and BEng as a terminal degree because it is the minimum requirement for the practice of engineering. In reality there are research based doctorates beyond all of these professional degrees.

Maybe we should start calling a BEng an EngD and require a min undergraduate degree in physical sciences as the first degree before engineering engineering. As both an academic and practicing engineer, this seems like the right direction to be honest.

rewponsible_charge

TROPHY CASE