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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dave Porritt wrote:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">I was gently trying to mention that you should
not categorize all college jobs as the same. If the situation at USC
is as you describe then you are right to leave and lodge a
protest. </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>And what that misses is that deans and
administrators don't take that into consideration when establishing salaries for
their position. They assume the job is the same from institution to
institution. You're absolutely right. Not every job is the
same. Heck, the job I left here didn't even resemble the job I
took here. As the inventory aged and wore down the older
faculty began retiring and being replaced by younger more ambitious faculty
who have more energy, higher demands and expectations. But the dean
who wasn't here 10 years ago and hasn't seen the evolution doesn't look at
it that way. He looks at what UGA, Florida State, UNC Greensboro, etc.,
pay their piano technicians and sets the salary here accordingly.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Jeff,
this <I>is</I> the “Market” at work. </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>Sort of,
in a round about discombobulated way. What I said was that it
mischaracterizes the market for our skill. Look, FT CAUTs represent less
than one percent of all piano technicians. And I would wager that you
charge fees for private work that is comparable to what other RPTs
charge. But what we have here is establishing a market for certain
demographic groups -- not the skill. We are effectively pitting
demographic groups against one another. And what we have allowed to
be created by not being proactive is something quite similar to the
Wal Mart greeter position from a demographic/economic standpoint. And
no amount of effort from the CAUT committee to establish a
skills/knowledge-based endorsement is going to result in any improvement as
long as we don't also address the reality that it isn't so
much skill that is establishing the market here as it is
demographics. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>The dean
here seems convinced that the employer sets the market. I tried to
explain to him that it was certain demographic groups - not the employer - who
were holding the market down, that the market was what it was only because
a small percentage of qualified applicants pursued these jobs because they
could afford to live on less. But he couldn't seem to accept that.
He seems to think (as does the local S&S dealer) there is an
endless supply of qualified piano technicians in the country
who would be happy making $40-$50K with full benefits, but at the same
time plans to become a piano technician when he retires because he knows it
is possible to make 6 figures. (By the way, he seems to have no immediate
plans of learning the trade. I think he thinks he'll read a book and start
making a lot of money the next day.)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>Watching
the Today show this morning, there was a segment on how much debt this
youngest generation will start out life with and this has been a segment
focusing on different generation demographics and debt all week. The
average college loan for current graduates is $19,000, and the average credit
card debt is $5,000. It was pointed out that the credit card debt was
not incurred because of frivolity, but that it was required to
survive. I can easily see that, and am surprised it isn't at
least double that amount. And I've got to wonder how much today's
lottery scholarship assistance (that we didn't have access to) affects that
college loan debt figure. I've noticed myself that entry level positions
for college graduates today don't pay much different from what was being offered
when I was in school 20 years ago. But I didn't start out life with $26K
of debt, the average car payment wasn't $400/month and rent/mortgage
certainly wasn't $1000/month. And looking at the struggle my parents had
compared to the struggle I've had even with a college education, there is
no comparison. My parents had $10K in personal savings by the time I
started college, and I never had to wear hand-me-downs, we had an average middle
class home, reliable cars, and plenty of good food. Instead of savings, I
will have $40K or more of personal expenses related debt (not
including business related debt) and if it weren't for hand-me-downs my
kids would have to wear clothes from Goodwill.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000
size=2></FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>I'm
thinking in terms of the next generation and how much more difficult it is
even going to be for them than it is for our generation. I think
the demand for our work will probably wane in the private sector over time
as fewer and fewer people have time to play the piano for simple
enjoyment. With that, I think the college positions will probably
grow in terms of a market sector percentage of what piano
technicians do. But I think it is incumbent upon us to make sure the
next generation sees our profession as an attractive one. I mean, my 7
year old son is already looking at me and saying, "Dad, I wish you
sold cars." This isn't just a "7 year old wanting to be a fireman
when I grow up" mentality. He actually already sees that a
good car salesman provides better for his family than does a good piano
technician and being a piano technician requires extensively more training
and harder work. Before it's over, I may well be selling cars, but I'm
giving piano sales and service a good honest effort first.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>If it is
the collective will to reserve the college positions for singles and empty
nesters who don't have the high bills that family breadwinners face, then I
really have no problem with it. But I also think that ought to be
accompanied with some sort of market campaign to let younger ambitious
family breadwinners know that "this probably isn't for
you."</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000
size=2>Jeff</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=dporritt@mail.smu.edu href="mailto:dporritt@mail.smu.edu">Porritt,
David</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=caut@ptg.org
href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">College and University Technicians</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, June 17, 2008 2:23
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [CAUT] Louisiana State SOM
Position</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Jeff:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">I was gently trying to mention
that you should not categorize all college jobs as the same. If the
situation at USC is as you describe then you are right to leave and
lodge a protest. I’m just saying not all jobs are like it is at
USC. My pay suits me, the benefits are very good, I work 37.5 hours a
week and have plenty of vacation and holiday time paid.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">You said: “</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I don't mean to
pick on Dave and I really do rebutt his response with all due respect, but his
post epitomizes why university salaries are what they are. University
positions are being taken primarily by either singles or empty nesters who
don't require as much income. That mischaracterizes the market for our
skill.” </SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Jeff, this <I>is</I> the
“Market” at work. We all go for the positions that have the benefits we
want. No one gets it all. If high income is your goal you have to
find the positions, jobs or careers that offer that. Everyone can choose
the job they want, or the pay they want, but not both. This choice is
always a compromise between many criteria. That’s free enterprise at
work. When I was younger, more energetic and less experienced I worked
hard as an independent tech. I made good money and handled it
well. Now I’m old (68) and less energetic but more experienced so I’m
doing what I do now – happily. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">I hope you can find the right
situation </SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">–</SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d"> a satifying nitch in our profession that pays well so
that when you’re my age you don’t have regrets.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">dave<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">David M. Porritt,
RPT<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><A
href="dporritt@smu.edu"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue">dporritt@smu.edu</SPAN></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<DIV
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #b5c4df 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">
caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Jeff
Tanner<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, June 17, 2008 11:54 AM<BR><B>To:</B> College
and University Technicians<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [CAUT] Louisiana State SOM
Position<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Yes. I think
that is being a doormat.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">First of all, I
did NOT quit in anger. I finally gave up the fight and my colleages
across the country who are content with less were no help. I quit
because I was basically told that the only way to get change is to be the
catalyst for it. I quit because the carrot being dangled out there kept
moving farther and farther away. When I'd catch up to it and ask for the
reward, the carrot moved again.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">As employees, it
is encumbent upon each one of us to insist on salaries that are more
reflective of the value of what we do, because it affects everyone else who
pursues this work. Yes, if we just accept what they want to offer and be
happy with it, that's being a doormat, as a collective whole, because we owe
it to our colleagues elsewhere to help support their earnings
ability. Our profession is quite unique in this way. We are
so isolated and job openings occur relatively infrequently compared to
other professions and so we must band together in some way to benefit the
whole. We are as strong as our weakest link, and as long as we have
qualified technicians who accept lower salaries because they don't share the
same perspective on economic issues, then we are a weak
chain.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Different
perspective on economic issues? Either we have a market or we
don't. If we are going to market our profession as one that earns a
good living (see the PTG brochure on becoming a piano technician), it is
incumbent upon us to support that, even if we do not require it
ourselves. Just because one person can live on a lower salary is not the
reason to accept it. There are others who depend on our profession to
actually earn a living. The reason Wim's son, the CPA makes half a
million is because other CPAs have worked to increase the market value of
their profession. If other CPA's just said, "I'm at a point in life I
can live on $50K," then that's what that market would evolve
towards. In the private sector, if we have a market of technicians
who have built their businesses based on a certain tuning fee, and you
have new people move into the market tuning for half price, in a climate
where the costs of everything else continues to go up, that is an
example of how people in your own profession are cutting their own
throats. </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I really don't hear
from my self-employed friends who stay busy full time that they'd like to
increase their workload and earn half of what their making. Many of our
colleages would like to do a college job, but see the pay as degrading to
their skill level and hard work. These college jobs keep coming open
over and over and over not because we have different perspectives on economic
issues, but because the work requires twice the effort for half the
pay.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">If the trade offs
were equitable, I could agree with you. But after the trade-offs, we're
still 10's of thousands apart (about $30K or so). Wim's example was
misleading because it didn't figure in the costs to the employee, nor the tax
advantages of being self-employed.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">As I said, I left
my position, in part, for the benefit of the profession. The next person
who comes here will enjoy a higher salary band. Yes, I'm frustrated that
they made no effort to do that for me, but it was made fairly clear that the
only way that change could be made was if I turned in my resignation.
That's just the way the system works. I suppose I could reapply for the
position, but I've put too much effort into creating something for me to land
on when I resigned that I can't go back now.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I
remember well the pressures of a house payment, kids in school, etc. and I’m
glad I’ve lived past that. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Not all the rest of
us are financially independent. You must have gotten to that point
during your years you speak of as a self-employed tech. If I'd stayed on
at the university, we'd never have lived past that. You imply that
you are "past" a house payment. Our was getting bigger
because of the insufficiency of the salary. I don't know your age, but I
know that the costs of basic necessities compared to earnings is not
what it was even 20 years ago. There was no way we could have continued,
and I know how to live cheap.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">My
take-home is not as great as my former gross receipts as an independent tech,
but somehow I’m living as well or better. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Well, you must have
gotten everything paid for as a self-employed tech before you switched to
being an employee.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">If anything,
because of that inequity alone, we owe it to the next generation of piano
technicians to do our part to support the market for their work. If we
approach it with, "I can live cheaper now", that is letting our next
generation down, let alone those across the country who'd like to be able to
pay their bills now.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">These
university positions are unique jobs and they clearly are not for everyone but
some of us weirdos are pretty happy doing it. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">It sounds obvious
that you'd like to keep it that way.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I suppose if we
worked to get the salaries up, we might have some competition for our
jobs.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I don't mean to
pick on Dave and I really do rebutt his response with all due respect, but his
post epitomizes why university salaries are what they are. University
positions are being taken primarily by either singles or empty nesters who
don't require as much income. That mischaracterizes the market for our
skill. It undermines the CAUT committee's efforts to establish
a CAUT endorsement and creates a model that makes it impossible for
those of us who are family breadwinners to be able to fit
in.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">If that is the
collective will of the incumbents in these positions, then that is
fine. But rather than wasting the CAUT committee's time on creating an
endorsement that should have the effect of improving earnings, let's just put
out a statement that says that "Full Time college technician positions are not
intended for people who want to work hard and improve their skills and earn a
good salary. They are for people who don't require much money to
live."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Jeff<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 5pt 0in 5pt 3.75pt; BORDER-LEFT: black 1.5pt solid; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">----- Original
Message ----- <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <A
title=dporritt@mail.smu.edu href="mailto:dporritt@mail.smu.edu">Porritt,
David</A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">To:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <A
title=caut@ptg.org href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">College and University
Technicians</A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Sent:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> Tuesday, June
17, 2008 11:29 AM<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Subject:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> Re: [CAUT]
Louisiana State SOM Position<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Jeff:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">I hope you’re not saying
that those of us who are happy with what we are doing, and have a different
perspective on economic issues, and are aware of whatever trade-offs are
involved and don’t quit in anger are doormats. I remember well the
pressures of a house payment, kids in school, etc. and I’m glad I’ve lived
past that. SMU has an excellent retirement program (I contribute 5%,
they contribute 10%) I have good health benefits, I work with great
musicians who are also delightful human beings, I perceive that I am
appreciated and my last raise confirms it. My take-home is not as
great as my former gross receipts as an independent tech, but somehow I’m
living as well or better. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">I’m really glad you’ve made
the decision to leave USC as it’s been obvious that you have been unhappy
for a long time. These university positions are unique jobs and they
clearly are not for everyone but some of us weirdos are pretty happy doing
it. I hope your independent business picks up quickly and that you
earn the lifestyle you want and need.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">dave<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">David M. Porritt,
RPT<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><A
href="dporritt@smu.edu">dporritt@smu.edu</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<DIV
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #b5c4df 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">
caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Jeff
Tanner<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, June 17, 2008 9:52 AM<BR><B>To:</B> College
and University Technicians<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [CAUT] Louisiana State SOM
Position<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Yes, I became
bitter over time as I realized I'd been lied to and misled about the
future. I was committed to the university and there was no reciprocal
commitment. That will make anyone bitter. But if it paid enough to live on
and there had been a commitment from the administration for a real program
of maintenance beyond telling the guy they hired to just work
harder, I would have been quite happy to stay there on and
on.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">But the point is,
the earnings situation around the country isn't going to get any better
until we start standing up for ourselves. As long as we are doormats,
that is how we will be treated. If we want to change it, it starts with
us. So, that's what I did.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">If you don't want
to see change, just keep on with the status quo.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Jeff</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 5pt 0in 5pt 3.75pt; BORDER-LEFT: black 1.5pt solid; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">----- Original
Message ----- <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <A
title=wimblees@aol.com href="mailto:wimblees@aol.com">Willem Blees</A>
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">To:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <A
title=caut@ptg.org href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</A>
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Sent:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> Monday, June
16, 2008 9:02 PM<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Subject:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> Re: [CAUT]
Louisiana State SOM Position<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt">Jeff<BR><BR>I'm sorry you
are so bitter about your job at USC, and I hope you find what you're
looking for. <BR><BR>Peace<o:p></o:p></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt">Wim<o:p></o:p></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>