In Response

RYS has a post up today regarding an opinion on how not every student should be in college. While this is the PC sentiment this is one that I totally agree with. In the past when I have voiced this opinion I have been Poo-Pooed "Oh, but everyone deserves an education." My response is "Really? Does everyone DESERVE an education."

I like chocolate cake. This is like me saying I deserve chocolate cake. Since I want some I should get it regardless of whether I am willing to put the time in, gather the ingredients, mix it together correctly and bake it. If I am not willing to do that then someone else should just give me some.

Frankly that is bullshit. If a student is not up to par in my class, cannot read or write, they do not deserve an "A" because they did not earn it. Do I find it sad? Yes, I do, however that does not mean I am going to push them along, it is not fair to them. After all, as an employer do you want a student who cannot form a coherent thought, I know I don't.

Continue My Education

I have been pondering the question of continuing my education so that I am eligible to teach more classes. I will only need 18 graduate credits to do so. I need to consider which courses to take. I am considering Criminal Justice as I see many places looking for instructors in these courses. I have not done the research yet to see how much this would cost me and weigh it against how much I could make to see if it is worth it. What does everyone else think? Good idea or bad idea?

Weird Email from University

I received what I think is an odd email from the university I work for. It was asking if I work for other universities, how long I have been teaching in higher education, and what (if any) publications I have. This was out of the blue after I have been teaching for them for over a year.

I thought this odd for several reasons. First since I am a contract worker I do not think that it is any of their business if I work for other universities. If they don't want me to teach anywhere else they can give me a long term contract where I am guaranteed classes or make me full time. Second, since they as a university do not pay me to do research, or pay for me to go to conferences why would they expect me to publish? As I understand it very few adjuncts publish for this very reason. (Not to mention the fact that being published, which I am, has not had any positive effect on my getting classes on a more regular basis from this university.)

I find that universities wanting it both ways, having the credentials of a full time professor, but don't expect the benefits of a full time professor, irritating.