Re: Identity crisis

[00cljohanek@bsuvc.bsu.edu]

Like Joan, I wasn't going to respond to this 
thread because this issue hits home with me,
too.  I'm thankful for the discussion about
professional staff positions, tenure-track
positions, etc.  I've been saving most of 
them (lost some, I'm afraid).  

My position as a WC Director is a graduate
assistantship.  Many issues have already been
addressed that apply to a GA position as
well:  GA's don't get to vote on departmental
issues (we're a part of the ENG department).
I have many, many "bosses"--the WPA, the
Dept Chair, Director of Grad Programs, my
own adviser in a way, and on up...

I supervise both grad students and undergrads--
even though I'm a grad student myself.

I'm required to take at least two courses 
each semester in order to have this job
in the first place...and to maintain a
respectable GPA.

Many issues that came up, such as voting rights,
writing letters of recommendation, faculty
members accepting the WC director (I was once
told, "Oh.  I thought they were sending me 
a real person, not a student"),  and other
issues have concerned me all along.  

The department itself is supportive (very
supportive) of our center and of changing
the position to full-time in *some* way---
I'd be happy with any way right now.  But
the university itself has cut back on 
positions that are split adm/teaching 
assignments.  Now is not the time.  And
Jeanne mentioned the money factor.  There's
none of that stuff either.

Sorry to ramble (whine, wimper), but I, first,
wanted to let others know that while I realize
professional staff positions have certain
drawbacks, some of us are even lower on the
evolutionary scale than that and, second, that
I'm thankful for your input--data that I can
maybe present to make a case beyond the dept.

Cindy Johanek
Ball State University
Student/Administrator/Tutor/Human Being