Tangent - Life while working in Higher Education

So, I've begun my journey in my new position at Oregon State University. I am a graduate school admissions staff and quickly learn the processes needed to help new graduates enter into their masters or doctoral programs. I would say that graduate school would have to be the most stressful part of a person's higher education degree. Not only do you have to take courses (albeit only 9 credit hours per term) but you have to begin working/writing your thesis and have to either support the teaching and/or research activities of your major professor. First, however, most institutions like OSU have you take the graduate records examination, which is most likely SAT's on steroids.Then apply to a school, and hope they'll accept you, and then begin the arduous process of hyper-multitasking to finish the program. My take on this, those who get these degrees are headed for teaching, either at secondary or post-secondary schools, medical professions....or are professional students who may have a hard time letting go of being in school.

After working for the graduate school for the long time of three (3) months, I learned about and then applied for a position working for the Vice President for Finance and Administration in the Executive Office. The position was a new position and was to be the receptionist for the "Administrative Side" of the 6th floor. This was the highest floor of the building and was affectionately/non-affectionately known as the "ivory tower." There were two sides to the ivory tower. One was the administrative side (east side) which included the President, Finance & Administration, Legal Counsel, and University Relations, along with the support staff for each function. This is the side most visible to visitors who ride the elevator to the 6th floor. (By the way, you have to have a special key to allow the elevator to go to the top of the floors after 5PM. But that makes sense I suppose.)

On the  west side was the "Academic Side." This housed the executives handling the academic/administrative activities and included the Provost's office, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs. Later, the office of the Vice President for Information Services was housed in this area as well, and that is a topic for another post. D

During my short tenure as staff for the Administrative Side of the world, there was a cultural disconnect that quickly transformed into ivory tower disconnect. The Provost at the time was Jewish. This meant that when the time came to decorate for the holidays, the Provost didn't want any Christmas trees on the 6th floor. The President's secretary was appalled that this office had to bow to the Provost's office. The provost isn't charge, it's the President, thank you very much. So the President's secretary placed a Christmas tree smack dab at the center of the lobby when you come out of the elevator to make her statement. (By the way, I think this was the reference change at OSU from Christmas as the official holiday reference to the more culturally accepted "Holidays." Once I notice this power play, it became more evident to me that this was the generally tension between the two sides of the ivory tower.

I settled into my new role, and reported to the "assistant" to the VP. She was a very nice woman and to this day, I am grateful to her for showing me (indirectly) how to handle big egos, because they are prevalent in higher education. (you may here me refer to them as prim a dona's later)  I'm not sure that they thought this position out very clearly, because within a few weeks, I was helping the "Provost's Side" of the floor with their work. This also furthered the tensions between the two sides and rumors began to circulate why they hired for the position if they did not have enough to keep the person busy. I began to become very bored...with the position and with the political posturing between the two sides of the Ivory Tower. Fortunately, I was asked if I wanted to move to the Budgets and Planning Office...I moved!

The Beginning: September 1986

In 1986, I began working for the State of Oregon for the Employment Department. I was a job service representative and secured this position as a work study student while attending classes at a local community college. I was good at my job. I ended up falling in love with my boss and then was offered a full-time position as the representative. I didn't take it. I'm too ethical.

So I opted for a clerical assistant position in another department. Boring. I wanted a challenge -- to move forward, and so looked for other places to work. I saw an office job with the Graduate School at Oregon State University and thought this would be a two-fold solution. I could work to support my family, AND go to college/university full time. What a great opportunity. I got the job and began my journey working for one of Oregon's top university.

July 29, 2011

Today is my last working day. The last working day for the rest of my life! I've retired. Now what. I have spent the last 25 years working for a major university and have poured my heart and soul into learning how to be a better employee, a better analyst, a better planner, a better manager.

What to write. What could I offer in this blog that might inspire, interest or even initiate other conversations about a career in higher education.

I think that it starts with the beginning.