workload

[Dennis Johnson]

        I guess what I really had in mind in my earlier posting about the
Baylor opening was that when this position is announced at chapter meetings
by the local president, as at ours this week, perhaps someone should
qualify that even though we always encourage full-time technician
positions, this one is another job for "superman". I believe that we can
and should at least inform any interested technician what sort of
enviroment they would likely be getting into.  Ron's letter is also a very
good idea.
        On a positive note, for what it's worth, I put in three years here
without complaint about my larger-than-average work load and embarassingly
low starting wage, then diplomatically pushed for a revaluation. At first
they said NO, but somehow I got on the Dean's good side and eventually they
came around. Even though nothing was really done about the workload (they
just said put in 40 hours and go home) they did start an aggressive series
of raises to where now I'm paid fairly well for this area and certainly
above average. We now have a new Dean and new President however, so I'm
glad to have that behind me because I rather doubt I'd be as successful
today.
        It does help to individually inform each of the music faculty about
your overwhelming workload. They will not volunteer to do anything about
it, but at least they will adapt more sensitive expectations. The personal
office and director also can help lay down a reasonable limit of hours/
week.


Dennis Johnson
St. Olaf College
johnsond@stolaf.edu