[CAUT] University Position in Colorado

[Gould, Jeremy]

Susan,

 

Our director is aware of the problem of limiting the hiring pool to
Colorado.  He keeps hitting a wall when it comes to reclassifying the
position.  But, I really think the primary obstacle is $$$ versus the
workload and required expertise. I know there are qualified techs here
in the state that would be attracted to the position if the salary were
reasonable.  One tech I know said that he looked into the position, and
would have applied, except our University no longer offers free tuition
for children of faculty and staff. 

 

I don't know what the long term solution is.  I just know it is a battle
I don't want to fight.  I think in the end, the level of service
demanded by the faculty will determine what happens.  The more the
faculty complains, the faster change will occur.  If the faculty remains
apathetic and complacent, the position and the pianos will deteriorate.
I can explain the deficiencies in pay, resources, humidity control,
tools, work-space, care of the instruments, etc. until the cows come
home, but after the first round, it is too easy to tune me out.  It is
when the faculty begin to complain that things will get done.  The
problem is that when faculty complain, the technician often gets the
blame, not the lack of resources or the fact that there is enough work
for two full time technicians.  I've made a noticeable improvement in
service since I have been here (the last technician was part-time, so
improvement over that was not too difficult), but I have no budget for
new pianos and I have to request every new part I order.  It is only a
matter of time before the bubble bursts.

 

All of that said, if you are a brave technician who would like a lot of
experience quickly, and the opportunity to have a positive impact on an
enthusiastic, highly skilled musical community, and don't mind working
for a year or two in a job that is under paid, this is a golden
opportunity.  It's been worth it for me.

 

Jeremy

 

 

Jeremy Gould, Piano Technician

University of Northern Colorado

School of Music

Frasier Hall 3 , Campus Box 28

Greeley, CO  80639

970-351-1132

________________________________

From: Susan Kline [mailto:skline at peak.org] 
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 3:44 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] University Position in Colorado

 

At 07:44 AM 3/15/2007, you wrote:



Please keep in mind that this is an in-state position, meaning only
Colorado residents may apply.  


Yes, Jeremy, Greeley's piano department has a very good reputation. Glad
that you got along so well there. 

However, I wonder if anyone really stopped to think of how tremendously
they are limiting their 
pool of applicants by insisting on only Colorado residents. How many
decent concert and 
institutional technicians can there be in the state, who also want to
move? 

I grew up in Fort Collins, but I still wouldn't qualify, even if I
wanted to leave Oregon, 
which I certainly don't. 

Susan Kline 

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