A student walks into the office- "Yes! I'm looking for....."
She pauses and looks to Pat for help. "I forget her name."
Pat kind of needs a name in order to direct her to the appropriate office. There are a lot of professors that work in this department.
"Start naming female professors," the spunky student demands of Pat.
Umm.....no, Pat thinks and gestures to the board beside her on the wall that lists all full time faculty. Pat does not have time for such a request. That's why there's a directory.....and Pat is not the directory.
The student studies the board but continues to press Pat. "She teaches (insert course name here)."
Everyone in this department teaches (insert course name here). This is the (insert course name here) department.
The student spots the professor on the list on the wall. "Oh- this is her," She informs Pat.
"Great- you found her," Pat replies. The professor's office number is written right next to the name that the student has located. Pat doesn't believe that she should need to read it for her. .....but she wants to save herself some time, "Down the hall,"
The pushy student bounds off in pursuit of.....who was she looking for again??....
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Can I Really Make An Appointment With You?
Pat comes into the office and checks the voice mail. Pat hears a confused student's voice on the line.
Pat wonders why students question whether or not they should actually be calling the department to make an appointment with the departmental adviser. Is that so strange a concept? Perhaps the student was confused because the extension went to voice mail. I'm calling to make an appointment but no one is answering. Didn't they say to call this number?
Pat checks the message details. The message was left the night before at 7:16pm. Did the student really expect someone to answer then to set up an appointment with her? Did she assume that an extension that makes an appointment was available 24/7?
Why all of the disbelief, Pat wonders. Pat is willing an able to make an appointment for the adviser. Student's need not question Pat's ability. It actually is part of Pat's job description unlike so many other things that students request....
"Umm...I need to make an appointment with the adviser. I was told that I should call this number to make an appointment with the adviser. She has recorded on her voice mail to call this number so that's why I did. I guess I'll just leave a message here then...."
Pat wonders why students question whether or not they should actually be calling the department to make an appointment with the departmental adviser. Is that so strange a concept? Perhaps the student was confused because the extension went to voice mail. I'm calling to make an appointment but no one is answering. Didn't they say to call this number?
Pat checks the message details. The message was left the night before at 7:16pm. Did the student really expect someone to answer then to set up an appointment with her? Did she assume that an extension that makes an appointment was available 24/7?
Why all of the disbelief, Pat wonders. Pat is willing an able to make an appointment for the adviser. Student's need not question Pat's ability. It actually is part of Pat's job description unlike so many other things that students request....
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Productivity and Blindness
Pat got a lot accomplished today at work. Pat was very proud! The only downside to the afternoon was being blinded by the copy machine. Pat got a little excited making copies and kept right on pushing that button without closing the lid. The searing head-ache following the blinding light striking Pat's retina made Pat sorry. Pat slowed down after that. Productivity should not end in blindness.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Vending Machine Woes
A distraught student bursts into the office. "The vending machine stole my money!" He announces.
I'm really sorry for your loss, Pat thinks, wondering why she is being informed of this tragedy.
"Who do I talk to about that?" The student continues, finally realizing that Pat has nothing to do with the machine.
It is certainly no one in this office, obviously. "I'm not the one that could tell you that. Why don't you check at the student information center? They may know who you would need to talk to about it," Pat turns back to Pat's work.
The student remains in the doorway. "Well....I'm just on a break between classes...." he goes on expectantly.
"Ok" Pat replies, not really needing to know the students' personal schedule.
Pat thinks: What does he want from me? Obviously I am not on a break here at work and I have a desk full of paperwork that I shouldn't have to leave to attempt to hunt down whoever is over vending machines.
The student finally turns and walks down the hall to the student information center. Pat hates when students wonder into the nearest department over every little thing that is going on at the University.
I'm really sorry for your loss, Pat thinks, wondering why she is being informed of this tragedy.
"Who do I talk to about that?" The student continues, finally realizing that Pat has nothing to do with the machine.
It is certainly no one in this office, obviously. "I'm not the one that could tell you that. Why don't you check at the student information center? They may know who you would need to talk to about it," Pat turns back to Pat's work.
The student remains in the doorway. "Well....I'm just on a break between classes...." he goes on expectantly.
"Ok" Pat replies, not really needing to know the students' personal schedule.
Pat thinks: What does he want from me? Obviously I am not on a break here at work and I have a desk full of paperwork that I shouldn't have to leave to attempt to hunt down whoever is over vending machines.
The student finally turns and walks down the hall to the student information center. Pat hates when students wonder into the nearest department over every little thing that is going on at the University.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Strains of an Amateur Musician
The strains of an amateur musician waft through the department door. Pat looks around….no…..this is still an office, not a concert hall. Who, pray tell, is disrupting Pat’s work environment? ‘Tis a traveling minstrel! Or in other words, it’s a pathetic college student that is desperate for attention and just because he owns a guitar he thinks that he is appealing and everyone within ear range must be subjected to his music….and so he continues in his quest to make himself obnoxiously heard.
Pat goes to the door and makes a point of glaring at the minstrel before pulling the office door closed. The office is closing five minutes early today and it is all his fault- Pat cannot take anymore. What’s worse about this student is that he is accomplishing his quest for attention and is flocked with young girls that romanticize his whiny voice. Although they are all college-aged and many could be classified as women, Pat would still use the term “girl” based on the immature manner in which they drool over this wanna-be and are so smitten with ridiculousness. They run their fingers through his hair and sway from side to side, eyes closed, as they relate to his lyrics about daydreams and clouds. Surely there must be drugs involved, Pat concludes.
Pat has the sudden urge to march out there, grab the little ladies by there ears and march them back home to their mothers while shouting to the lad, "You! Get out of hear!" His placement is inappropriate and he should be aware that he is obnoxious. Pat remains at the desk seething instead, trying to prevent making a scene.
Pat goes to the door and makes a point of glaring at the minstrel before pulling the office door closed. The office is closing five minutes early today and it is all his fault- Pat cannot take anymore. What’s worse about this student is that he is accomplishing his quest for attention and is flocked with young girls that romanticize his whiny voice. Although they are all college-aged and many could be classified as women, Pat would still use the term “girl” based on the immature manner in which they drool over this wanna-be and are so smitten with ridiculousness. They run their fingers through his hair and sway from side to side, eyes closed, as they relate to his lyrics about daydreams and clouds. Surely there must be drugs involved, Pat concludes.
Pat has the sudden urge to march out there, grab the little ladies by there ears and march them back home to their mothers while shouting to the lad, "You! Get out of hear!" His placement is inappropriate and he should be aware that he is obnoxious. Pat remains at the desk seething instead, trying to prevent making a scene.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Delusions of Playing Catch-Up
A student comes into the office and asks if they can add a class.
The answer is no- it is passed the add deadline.
The student keeps asking anyway.
The answer is still no. We are now an entire month into the semester.
The student wants to know if he can just play "catch-up"
Pat is going to go with.....NO! We are a third of the way through the semester.
Perhaps the student believes in crazy university miracles.....maybe he would like to get into classes from last semester that have already ended and just play catch up there as well. Sure. Why not? Would you like fries with that magical order?
The answer is no- it is passed the add deadline.
The student keeps asking anyway.
The answer is still no. We are now an entire month into the semester.
The student wants to know if he can just play "catch-up"
Pat is going to go with.....NO! We are a third of the way through the semester.
Perhaps the student believes in crazy university miracles.....maybe he would like to get into classes from last semester that have already ended and just play catch up there as well. Sure. Why not? Would you like fries with that magical order?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
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