A new development

[clevermanka]

Welp! This morning I spent a couple hours in conference with KU's HR rep because my position has been eliminated (yay state budget cuts!). So now I'm home on administrative leave to supposedly start work updating my resume but instead I just got  fucked up and had my partner drive me to the grocery store.

I'm fine, seriously, I'm fine. It might be the shock talking, but right now I'm just like:

I put out a letter to the graduate student listserv and word must be traveling fast because you should see some of the texts I'm getting from grad students (I didn't realize quite how many of them had my cell phone number, not that I'm complaining, it's just funny) and they are not best pleased. When I started getting texts from alumns I knew shit was flying fast. I'm so charmed and pleased, honestly. My little lambs! I'm worried for them.

But anyway, yeah, as of May 25th I won't be working IN MY FABULOUS OFFICE ANYMORE.

Comments

[moodsong]

Of course.

Enjoy all the fucked up.

[clevermanka]

[splix]

Holy shit.

I hope you can stay fucked up all weekend.

How awesome, though, to know that all those students you helped care about you. Not surprised, but still...awesome. :D

Now that your position is eliminated do you have preferential privilege for other openings around campus?

[clevermanka]

Apparently there's a "help save Manka's job" google doc floating about, and someone told me they were contacting the GTA union rep? I don't think it will help, but yes it's very sweet.

TBH I don't know that I want to stay at KU. I really liked my department and unless I'm in a position where I'm 100% focused on one-on-one student support I'm not interested. Sure as hell not applying to Endowment or the Alumni Association, which are two places I know are hiring and pay well but FUCK NO.

[moodsong]

Could you figure out what your ideal work situation would be and then get your minion army to find you that?

[clevermanka]

Honestly, I'd just wanna keep the same job! I have zero complaints about my current position in the department.

[asya_ana]

This is... distressing indeed. I'm horrified. They should at least try to put you somewhere else? I'm baffled. This world is so scary.

I hope you'll be able to find something else soon.

[clevermanka]

Thank you!

I have a lot to think about, that's for sure. I've been in this job since October 2001 and I honestly really like it on a day to day basis so I am upset about losing that. They are, of course, encouraging me to apply within the university but to be honest I've been at KU for a Very Long Time (pretty much since 1989) and the other places I'd want to work here are fuckin' thin on the ground.

[write_out]

OH FFS

Your lovely office!!! FUCKERS. I'm so sorry. That is awesome about your army, but what a shitty way to find out just how beloved you are by the students. BIG HUGS

I'm glad you have some time to absorb this and look into your options. MORE HUGS

[clevermanka]

RIGHT? Like this is so fucking typical of my life AND ALSO why I'm so god damned superstitious because this shit happens to me all of the damned time.

ETA: Also why I can laugh about it because it's literally my entire life.

[write_out]

It's a bunch of bullshit, is what it is!

Maybe you ought to go around and touch every last computer in that department as a final FUCK YOU. Knowing you and technology, why not go out with a bang? :)

[clevermanka]

Ha! It's absolutely not my department's fault. The decision was at the college level and the department wasn't even consulted. My chair found out fifteen minutes before I did, poor thing. Maybe I'll break into the dean's office, though... =D

[write_out]

Oh, that's true, isn't it. They're not responsible for the overall budget. Okay, good. Hit the dean's office then. Make them paaaay.

[seascribble]

I'm glad the children have your back but WHAT THE FUCK.*snarling*

[clevermanka]

Academia in general is such a fucking shit show, Midwestern state schools all the more so, and Kansas University especially. I am disappointed but not surprised.

[roseconnelly]

What the....????


I spent an entire week getting fucked up when this happened to me last time. I have no kids this weekend. Let me know if you need even more fucked-up.

[clevermanka]

Thanks so much! I'm really okay. More annoyed than anything because I honestly like(d) my job and how many people can say that? Also, MY BELOVED OFFICE.

[roseconnelly]

Let's hope you find something with another office. That fabulous stuff will move.

[jo_lasalle]

Oh, no, I'm so sorry! Good to know you're coping and that the grad students are appreciating you, but man, that sucks. Gah! :(

[clevermanka]

Thank you! It really does. Hey, at least this way I can watch academia's flames from a distance.

[thetimesink]

Major suckage, as in, "FuckFuckFuckityFuck"!

Hmmm... Talk about making a difference in people's lives!

[clevermanka]

Major suckage, for sure. Nice to be shown I'm appreciated by the people I actually care about, at least!

[feroxargentea]

Oh shit. I hope you can find something else that you like, and an office that you can make fabulous.

[clevermanka]

[hdsqrl]

Oh hell, that's awful. :( More fucked up is the order of the weekend. <3

[clevermanka]

For. Real. I'm even making McKitterick do my returns/pick up at the library today. =D

[mekare]

Oh that is horrible. Keeping my fingers crossed for a new job soon!

[clevermanka]

Thanks, bb. I'm distracting myself with 4/20-appropriate activities today. Resume and job stuff will happen eventually but NOT TODAY.

[baronjanus]

Good luck in the near future. Sounds like you got the networking down at least :)

[clevermanka]

Yeah, at least I'm in good hands, there. And I have a bit of a financial cushion so I'm far from dire straits.

[baronjanus]

That's good to hear.

[saffronhare]

Good lord. I mean, I wonder if there's a market for *consulting* in what you did before? Networking among grad students for an hourly rate of prepping their applications packages and such. Dunno.

You need time, clearly. I'm not good at this stage of the process. Will watch supportively until it's time to remove a wall or something.

[clevermanka]

Thanks, bb! I honestly don't think I could charge graduate students for anything, ever. Poor things are already strapped for cash and looking at ridiculous loans for jobs that won't happen or if they do won't pay much.

I'm not great at this stage in the process, either. Thank dogs I've got a bit of savings if I need the extra time to regroup.