Beaurocratic Bullshit

Did that get your attention? I thought it might. Now, I don't consider myself the most politically motivated person in the world unless there is an issue (or stupidity) that pisses me off. I tend to try and see both sides of an issue fairly. This is one thing that makes me a good teacher in the eyes of my students: they can have their opinions and I won't fail them because they voice something against my own beliefs. Trust me, teachers do this. I've known a few of my colleagues who have been less than objective in their grading when it came to viewpoints. It's actually something that I've been aware of since I was a freshman. My then advisor enlightened me upon the political bullshit that goes on in the academic world. And occasionally I get reminded of it.

Like now.

(sigh) It's really a small matter but coupled with some of the other things that have happened in the administrative realm this semester, it really tweaks my cookie. We have some new higher ups who have wandered into our academic bubble and who think they know what's the deal around here. They have managed to squash on everyone's toes to the point that even the most mild mannered of us is rolling eyes and spouting steam out various orifices.

But I digress.

This small matter has to do with transcipts. See, when an academic applies for a teaching position somewhere, they have to submit an offical transcript from their graduating university. Makes sense since you need to show that you actually have the proper credentials. I just heard (like 20 minutes ago) that a few years ago this wasn't the case and even the tenured profs had to provide ancient transcripts to prove their credentials. Guess they had some fakes. (rolls eyes)

Well, I have been here for ten years now. It's actually a joke that I should be pulling tenure because of it. Ha ha. I am still technically a student. But, when I came back from France two years ago, I no longer had an assistantship. So, I am no longer a "student" worker. Nor am I technically faculty because I have not been hired as such. I am listed either as instructor, lecturer, or adjunct (which is not an official term), depending upon who does the paperwork. Am I qualified? Well, duh. I've had all of the requisite courses to teach the classes I have now and then some. Said classes were all taken at this university.

So do I have to supply a transcript? Yup. Here's the kicker: they just made me pay for the damn thing. $8 is $8. . .2+ gallons of gas. Now, this wouldn't steam me quite so much if I was working at a university that was different from where I have 1) gotten a degree and 2) am getting a degree; a university where I am still a student. They can access my records with no problem. I know they can. I am under no illusions that my information cannot be seen by a vast number of people here. Sheesh. Identity security? Yeah, right. Oh, sorry, I had to show them my id. Like that couldn't be forged. I could have just as easily shown them on the computer that I can access my information because I know my password. But wait, maybe that wouldn't have proven I was me either. Idiocy. This is so going as a tax deduction.

I told the girl at the registrar's office that I thought it was bullshit. And I apologized for that and said I know it's not her fault but that I thought it was ridiculous. I couldn't believe it when she asked me if I wanted to take the damn thing over there myself instead of having them mail it over. Oh, yeah, it would probably not be a good idea since I might feel compelled to tell someone there that I think the whole thing is bullshit. She agreed even though she tried to get me to take it over anyway. Keep in mind, I actually checked that particular box on the form they made me fill out which she barely looked at. (snort) They can mail the thing over since I had to pay them for it anyway. How hard is it to drop it in campus mail when that is part of the service? And then I don't have to think about it. Sheesh

Can you tell that I am in an incredibly foul mood today? grrrrr