[CAUT] New Department Administrators

[Porritt, David]

Rob:

 

I have been here through 3 chairs/directors and an additional 4 interim
directors.  They all have the same job to do regardless of personal
preferences.   They all have to make the department run within the
budget allocated.  I haven't noted any seismic changes when the director
is changed.

 

Like all schools we are in constant need to update the inventory.  I'm
fortunate here that the head of piano agrees that we should spend the
bulk of our money rebuilding rather than replacing.  You get a better
result for less money.  We do have a few grand pianos that I don't see
as long term instruments, but 75% are Steinways that I want to just
rebuild and keep going.

 

dave

 

David M. Porritt

dporritt at smu.edu

________________________________

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Rob & Helen Goodale
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 7:30 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: [CAUT] New Department Administrators

 

Hello all,

 

Our music department will be getting a new chair this summer.  This
could mean a lot in terms of pianos.  We are in desperate need of new
instruments.  Lately piano replacement funds have been appearing in
occasional various lump amounts which has allowed the purchase of 17
pianos within the last few months.  I am told that another lump sum can
be expected.  The prospect of this trend continuing, however, is not
known.  We have at least another 25-30 small and medium size grands to
purchase in order to remedy our immediate needs.

 

A new Chair could potentially introduce a new way of doing things.  My
feeling is that there are presently "too many cooks in the kitchen".
There are several individuals contributing to the process which in my
opinion are hindering more than helping.  Although the project involves
an enormous amount of money and important decisions, I think this is a
task can best be handled by two or three people rather than a
"committee" that must debate and argue e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

 

I'm sure many on this list have experienced administrative changes and
certainly every university tech has fought the unsung battle of
replacing old rotten pianos.  This change could either be a blessing or
make things more complicated than ever.  It seems to me a first step is
to find out a little about this person's past philosophies.  I would
also be interested in hearing other experiences with new administrators.
Any thoughts/stories appreciated.

 

Rob Goodale, RPT

Las Vegas, NV

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