Knight Writer

Happy faculty; 12 days of one-on-one; and a question about canal muck

by Jason | November 1, 2007

In this morning’s InsideHigherEd.com, editor Scott Jaschik writes about a recent TIAA-CREF report that showed the various levels of satisfaction among full-time faculty members across the country. It includes some very interesting details. For one, full time faculty are a happy lot. As Jaschik reports:

“A new national survey by TIAA-CREF found that 53 percent of faculty members are “very satisfied” with their jobs and another 43 percent are “somewhat satisfied.” Only 2 percent were “not at all satisfied.” By comparison, a recent national survey of Americans in all fields found that only 42 percent reported being “very satisfied,” with another 38 percent “somewhat satisfied.”

The study also found that those faculty are, by and large, agreeable to sending promising students into careers in academe as well. This was especially surprising for me as I recall my own academic career and many a prof warning me about considering a life in the tower (or in our case, greenhouse). Come to think of it, that probably had more to do with this student’s prospects/talents than the higher ed job market itself. (sigh)

Check out the study (which includes some very telling comparisons of where Gen X and Boomers differ on several things) here: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/11/01/faculty.

Speaking of happy faculty, next week seniors begin darkening the door steps of their advisors offices for registration. Diane Dicerbo says each class basically has three days to get in, get registered and get going (that’s 12 total days, folks). This is, as most of you know, the first time that the process has been totally one-on-one in some time. It’s a shift that I first heard Diane and Gregg Cox discuss at an Arts & Sciences faculty meeting in September. Look for a possible story and photo on the process next week in the Sun-Sentinel. (Note: Angela Rogers and Diane are also making time for an interview next week with Dean & Provost Magazine on the subject. And you thought you were busy!)

And finally… let me ask about muck. Or gunk. Or whatever it is at the bottom of the canal that runs along our northern border. On my way into the north lot this morning I paused just long enough to snap a photo of a clean up occuring roadside (and test the patience of the car behind me). This crane like thing was pulling sticks, stones and brown goo out of the canal. Why? I wonder. I will look into it… and report back!

By the way, whoever you were that graciously allowed me to pause and snap this photo this morning, thank you. I’ve lived in South Florida long enough to know that deserved a beep. I appreciate (and here honor) your restraint.