Ladycroft's Journal

01/12/2006 12:37 #25311

is my thinking elitist?
Category: question for you

So I got into a debate the other day about something. I wanted to put it out there just to get some other views on the topic. When living as a student on a college campus there are certain rules in place. As a professional employee of that institution, when the job requires you live on site, should you be required to live exactly like a student? Should this professional be seen as a student or as their own separate entity as an employee of the institution?

My argument is that the professional is absolutely a separate entity and should be entitled to live their life as 'normal', not bound by those rules set in place for students. As a live-in professional, this place is your home. You don't have anywhere else to go, you LIVE there. Now don't get too excited, I'm not talking about breaking the law - I'm talking about small simple things, like the ability to have a shot of vodka in your cranberry juice, or burn incense while doing yoga. I think there is always some hierarchy in the working world, and you earn and deserve certain privileges.

The opposing argument was that this view of small privileges is elitist and that every human being on that campus should be treated exactly the same. That the professional should not have one ounce of luxury above what any student has. That my privilege in this situation is that I get paid to live here. I disagree a thousand percent.

Perhaps I am simply biased because I actually LIVE this scenario. Yet even when I was a student in the residence halls, I didn't have an issue with the fact that my Hall Director was allowed to have a candle burning, so maybe I'm not biased after all.

What's your take on it?

P.S. Jim, I'm a hall director (the professional in charge of the RA's).

james - 01/15/06 01:34
I think the only problem in this issue is that you are a woman. Men can, and theology will back me up on this, deserve superior treatment to all other living (play)things. By virtue of your inferior status you should not be allowed that shot of vodka in yoru cranberry. In fact, the only thing you should be allowed are maternity cloths and a hot stove.

that being said, I am incredably kidding. This conversation just seemed to need a little levity.

metalpeter - 01/14/06 14:47
First of all Ladycroft sorry, I slightly misunderstood you. I thought you oversaw the RA's or where the equalant of head RA. I didn't know that you where incharge of 5 buildings on campus. That changes everything. In that case You should have your own private place or housing that is the equalant of the school paying for an apartment. In this case you can do anything that dosn't break the law or school policies that would apply to teachers.

ladycroft - 01/14/06 11:41
Peter, what you're describing is the RA position. Those are student leader positions where they monitor a floor. I am a Hall Director. I supervise 6 desk attendants, 8 RA's, 2 RAC's and 2 workstudy students. I manage 5 residence buildings on campus. I am not a student here, I am a staff memeber. :)

metalpeter - 01/13/06 18:59
"So I got into a debate the other day about something. I wanted to put it out there just to get some other views on the topic. When living as a student on a college campus there are certain rules in place. As a professional employee of that institution, when the job requires you live on site, should you be required to live exactly like a student? Should this professional be seen as a student or as their own separate entity as an employee of the institution?" -ladycroft

My beliefs is that you should have to follow the same rules. I do admit that you should be treated better then the students and you should get perks and you should be able to come and go as you please. But I assume that the rules that they have are rules that pertain to the building (the students just stay there). For example no candles and no cooking are both to prevent fires. But rules that have to do with being responseable could be differant. I think one problem with having to sets of rules is that it alienates the students. How can you break up a party where there is drinking when you drink in your apartment. (assuming it is legal drinking) When rules are differant it takes away the creditbilty of the RA.
I don't think the employee should not be seen as a student. I think they should be able to live there during breaks and during the summer as long as there are classes.
I admit that the situation is differant at differant schools. I never lived in the dorms. But My understanding was that Hall Heads where students who showed that could watch over the dorms or at least a floor in the dorms. For doing that they got some kinds of perks.

uncutsaniflush - 01/13/06 18:19
Jim,

you ask an easy question, employment-based health insurance is by definition elitist since it results in a group that does have health insurance and a group that does not merely on the basis of the type of employment one has.

A better question would be - "Is it morally wrong to accept health insurance under such circumstances?"

And before I could answer, I would feel moved ask a question or two more about the exact circumstances.

Historically, some employers have offered health benefits to workers not to join unions. In other words, selective health benefit offers were used as a union-busting weapon. In such a case, it might be wrong if a union is really necessary in that industry to protect employees.

And of course, if unions are good or bad is whole 'nother kettle of fish.

I am sometimes amazed how I can make the simplest thing complicated. Go me.

jim - 01/13/06 13:01
And as a follow, I'll pose a more difficult question:

If someone is offered health insurance through their job, is it elitist to accept it unless everyone is offered insurance?

jim - 01/13/06 12:41
Most of the limitations on the rights of student residents are due to safety issues or liability issues. Hot plates are a fire hazard, as are candles, incense. Colleges get sued for allowing drinking in dormitories. It can also be something that the school's insurance policy prohibits. So, the rules governing student residents are required by the circumstances and legalities involved.

It's vary rare that everyone living in the same space has to follow the same rules. Whether or not that's a bad thing is dependent on the context. I don't think this is a case worth getting upset about.

Ladycroft has a good position to negotiate better conditions for herself. I don't think she should feel bad trying to get a better deal then the student population. She's not one of them, and they're not being treated badly. If she sacrificed their freedoms to further hers, that's one thing.

Solidarity is great and all, but not everything has to be equal. If the President of the college was given a house that was on campus, you can bet he'd have different rules.

I know someone could take my justification for this situation and apply it to other situations where it would make me appear to advocate evil things. But I don't care. Shades of grey and all that.

jim - 01/13/06 11:49
Leetee,

She runs the RA program right? She's a staff member, not a student. She's above them organizationally. What's wrong with that?

jenks - 01/13/06 02:18
Ok, I'm a little sleep-deprived and maybe I'm missing something, but I'm with ladycroft on this one and must admit I'm not even sure what's to debate.

1- most college students are not yet 21, and thus having alcohol would be ILLEGAL. No brainer.
2- My school didn't have RA's, but aren't they usually seniors, i.e. students? If so, I think it's totally reasonable that they be held to all the same rules as the rest of the students. But as an EMPLOYEE (or someone who has already graduated), I think different rules can and should apply.

But I do agree there needs to be a certain amount of discretion/propriety etc. E.g. just because you're >21 doesn't mean you should be allowed to be wasted in front of the studs all the time. But duh.

but yeah- i see no problem in a different set of rules for post-graduate students/advisors etc. I don't think it's so elitist and awful to say students can't have stoves but ladycroft can...

ajay - 01/13/06 00:45
Heck, when I was in Governors, the RAs had all the fun. The chicks hung out in their rooms, they had booze, porno movies all the time, funny-smelling cigarettes, etc.

I forget what the question was...

joshua - 01/12/06 22:43
I think that setting an example is why they expect more of a professional appearance. Whether you think thats the proper way to go is your thing though.

leetee - 01/12/06 20:43
ABOVE THEM? (e:Jim)?

I am so fucked here if that is what people think...

jim - 01/12/06 20:29
You need to get together a list of what other colleges allow their staff to do and bring it to your supervisor at Hilbert. Negotiate. You don't want to spend the next semester angry, and you're in a good (righteous) position to argue for better treatment.

Do you have a contract with the college? Does it give any of the particular rules? If it's not in your contract that you have to obey the student rules, then you probably don't.

This doesn't really help you with the question you asked, but I don't think you are being elitist in the negative sense. You aren't a student, you're a staff member. Don't worry about putting yourself above them, you are above them - it's in your job title.

leetee - 01/12/06 20:20
I don't care who knows that it is and was me that you had that discussion with, (e:Ladycroft).

I never once claimed the person who is employed by any school should not be treated like a separate entity. I think everyone should be treated like a separate entity. Hence the reason i think everyone should have the same rights and priviledges that lives in the same space. Whether it is a choice to take a job or be in a chosen feild of employ. Or to live on campus in residence.

Doesn't matter why they are there. That they are a professional. Or a student. Not all proffessionals are resposible. And not all students are irresponsible. The rules apply. To all people. Period. Anything else is elitist, by definition.

The students live there, too. Is a home any less of a home because it is temporary? Do they deserve less from the temporary home they are trying to create simply because they will be there less time? I don't think so.

If a student is 21, they should be able to have the same shot of vodka in their cranberry juice as anyone else who lives there.

Because you lived both sides and didn't have a problem with being a resident student and not having the same things your hall director had doesn't mean you don't have a bias. It just means that you were ok with the status quo, and still are. Doesn't make the status quo any more right or even wrong.

Because i didn't live it, do not live it and can't live it, i see from the outside perspective how unfair it is. Life is unfair. Why perpetuate that? Why not give students the same little things that make a home a home that would make your home a home?

(e:Kangarooboi) -- Just because grade 9 students got treated like shit, does it mean they have to turn around and treat grade 9 students like shit in later years? I mean, who cares if resident life was crap then. More reason to make it better now.

uncutsaniflush - 01/12/06 19:48
Apparently I am a sloppy reader - I didn't realize that (e:ladycroft) was posting a common from (e:Kangarooboi).

Thus the bulk of previous comment should have been addressed to (e:Kangarooboi) and not (e:ladycroft).

My apologies to both worthies.

uncutsaniflush - 01/12/06 18:52
ladycroft,

You say that you deserve more priviledges than the students you oversee because you are adult, because you "already paid your debt society," because you have several degrees, etc.

This is prima facie evidence of elitism.

The dictionary defines elitism as "The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources."

On the other hand, elitism isn't necessarily always negative. In our society, we act as if we believe that excellence and achievement SHOULDbe rewarded - in other words our society tends to be meritocratic. Meritocracy is, of course, elitist. But how many of us really believe that the achievement and excellence shouldn't be rewarded? Shouldn't the best and brightest be rewarded for their achievements?

"elitism" is a sticky wicket, indeed.

I'm tending to think that you should be allowed to have liquior and candles and incense in your "home" at Hilbert even though it leaves me a bit uncomfortable.

ladycroft - 01/12/06 18:10
From Kangarooboi:
My view on this matter is very simple and is actually very similiar to you. As you know, here at UB, the RHD/AHD apartments are considered to be seperate
entities of the Residence Halls. We are allowed to cook in our apartments (ie: they provide us with a stove, fridge etc)whereas the students are not. We are allowed to have and use candles as long as we are not careless with them. We are allowed to have alcohol, microwaves, george forman grills etc.

It is the stance of the Professional Staff here at UB that we are adults. Much like you have said in your post, this is our home. We LIVE here, not just stay
here. With that being said, we are entittled to the benefits and luxeries (sorry for the mispelling) of any home that we would be living in if we were not
working/living here. The same should be allowed for you as well.

You have paid your debt to society. You have gone through the terror of residence hall living, and the perils of achieving your bachelors and your first masters degree. For your institution to tell you that you are unable to excerise your rights as an adult, in your OWN home is ridiculious. I would fight that to the very end. I cannot believe that they woudl expect you to abide by the same rules as the students. Your apartment is that of your own. You do not pay anything to go there. You are doing them a service and get paid for it (if you can call it that). You should be entitles to having the luxeries of a regular home living.

jim - 01/12/06 12:49
What is your position?

01/10/2006 12:42 #25310

truffles
Category: potpourri

I made another lovely trip to Spot last night with (e:Jenks). You're too much fun girl!!! We ran into (e:Salvatore) while we were waiting in line. This made me wonder how many times prior I might have crossed paths with these people and never known. I love great mysteries like that.

Random thought: I spotted truffles at Wegmans, on 'sale' for $799.00 a pound!!! I almost crapped my pants.

P.S. I found a coupon for a buy one get one free piercing. I want to get my eyebrow redone. Anyone interested?

ladycroft - 01/10/06 22:26
read (e:leetee)'s entry :)

jenks - 01/10/06 19:47
I wonder if that (the 'similar to male swine sex attractant') is why pigs are used to sniff them out. I think they're mushrooms, more or less, right? And I think they come in black and white... Yeah I don't really get it. maybe I should taste them sometime.

imk2 - 01/10/06 19:40
the thing with truffles is that they were no where near as expensive just a few years ago (maybe 10 years). i remember the prices being around 100 dollars and then steady climbing to 2 then 3 and 4 hundred dollars. the truffle industry has been experiencing a variety of problems with its supplies over the years and just within the last year, droughts have raised the price well over 20%.

theecarey - 01/10/06 18:44
I was ignorant of truffles until this post. At first I thought, "wow thats some expensive ass chocolate; nasty chocolate at that".. I found myself doing a google search, (to redeem some brain cell dignity) as which was noted that the truffle is the most expensive natural food. There is chemical in the truffle that is "similar to the male swine sex attractant". Not sure if that little peice of trivia will ever come in handy, but hey, now you know :)

jenks - 01/10/06 13:14
aww shucks...

but yeah, truffles are crazy expensive. And I don't get it. Are they THAT good? Truffle oil is like $100/oz...

kara - 01/10/06 12:54
Considering that one pound equals 16 ounces, and a recipe generally wouldn't call for more than an ounce or two, that works out to be about $50 per ounce. All this for a fungus.
I think I'll stick with chocolate "truffles."

01/09/2006 18:18 #25309

a sliver of pie
Category: potpourri

I hauled it to work all the way from Youngstown today. First I had to swing by (e:Leetee) and (e:Uncutsaniflush)'s house to drop off my gear. They've been nice enough to put me up for a few days since I've been booted from my home. They even have the Fox Soccer Channel - woohoo!

So I went into work today and bitched at my boss about how unsatisfactory this situation is. Well, it was much more diplomatic than that, but it yielded results. They filled my gas tank and she's letting me do work from home for two days. Yay me! Ciao.

01/08/2006 16:27 #25308

holy mojito batman!
Category: potpourri

Yesterday I was supposed to work the basketball games at Hilbert. I drove my ass all the way down there from Youngstown, with (e:Theecarey) in tow, only to find out they didn't need me because the crowd was small. In the age of exponentially growing technology you would think someone knows how to make a phone call. I mean the telephone was invented in 1876, we all know how to use one! Not to mention the whole point of me going down there and doing this lame job was to make some money, which I ended up losing in this deal. Blah!

Yet the day was not to be wasted. We headed up to Hertel Avenue and checked out some cigar shop as well as Terrapin Station. We decided we were hungry and through the Virgo psychic connection both suggested Amy's Place. This is highly amusing to me, since neither one of us had actually BEEN there before. So, (e:Theecarey) treated me to a super delish lunch. We both had tasty bowls of potato-leek soup. She had some kind of spicy lentel wrap and I had this fantastical creation called the Barb Special. It was fried eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, french fries and a sauce rolled up in a toasted pita. Absolutely divine, and a huge serving! Someone had told me this place was 'Timika friendly' and they were so right. I couldn't believe the vegetarian choices.

After indulging at this retro little dineresque joint we trudged on over to Spot coffee and read some papers. We were looking for new and exciting things to do in the new year. Browsing the Art Voice we came upon the Geek Meet announcement and our very own master of ceremonies, Paul Visco's name! Go Paul!

We decided to head back home, throw a colourful log on the fire, smoke some cigar like things and made mojitos for the first time. I have to say, that refreshing sparkle of lime and mint is going to be my new favorite summertime drink! To make, simply crush about 4 sprigs of mint with 2 teaspoons of sugar in the bottom of a glass. Add the juice of a whole lime and stir. Fill with ice. Add 2 ounces of light rum and top with seltzer. Enjoy! Ciao.

salvatore - 01/09/06 00:39
Virgil Avenue tobacconist! I bought my corn cob pipe from them! That's like 2 blocks from my house!

paul - 01/08/06 19:29
I would suggets trying it with pomegranite :::link:::

theecarey - 01/08/06 16:43
I envision an enormous pitcher of Mojito to cool off in 90 degree weather. Lime, mint, ice, sweetness and rum.. Kickin back after a sweaty game of basketball or bike riding.. just plop down in an aderondack chair and just chill with icey glass of mojito wiped across the forehead. Ok, so we all have a few months before all that...

01/06/2006 11:25 #25307

on my own
Category: rant

Before I start the rant I just want to say I had the pleasure of meeting (e:Jenks) for lunch yesterday. The company was great and I had the most fantastic carrot and ginger soup! If the rest of their soups are equally delish, I highly recommend Solid Grounds.

Envision that puppet on Sesame Street that always played Yankee Doodle on the piano, would make a mistake, then start slamming his head on the keys. That's how I feel today. I had started my post with, 'I'm a little cranky this morning'. I was almost done writing when this bitch of a computer decided it needed to restart and I lost the whole thing. Now I'm pissed. I don't feel like re-writing it so here is the Cliff's Notes version:

I only got 3 days of vacation; my cohort friends got an entire month
I work 24 / 7; they work 20 hours a week
I had 12 residents back early living in the residence hall
I had to move them into spare apartment bedrooms because...
They are shutting the heat off to the residence hall
Everyone had to vacate, myself included
I was missing all the keys I needed to do this
This screws up the entire move-in process for next weekend
It will be chaos in a 3 ring circus
I should hire clowns and sheep to run around campus
I requested space heaters so I could continue working / living there
They are using gas powered heaters that will fill the place with lethal levels of carbon monoxide and no one can enter the building all week
I had a great deal of work to complete next week inside the building
My office is inside the building
They are giving me no accommodation or financial assistance toward food
They don't seem to grasp the concept that this place is my 'home'
This really chaps my ass!
My boss expects me to fend for myself and show up every day next week full-time
Technically I'm part-time but I already work 24 / 7 as it is
I have no money
I didn't realize my car registration and 6 months of insurance are due today
My credit card payment is due today (no luxury option of not paying)
Even with today's joke of a paycheck I don't have enough
I also need gas in my car
I will need more gas in my car now that I have to commute for a week
I won't get paid for another 2 weeks
No really, I don't have ANY money
This blows big fat goats
It's not a cry for sympathy
I think the line 'it could be worse' is condescending

theecarey - 01/07/06 01:51
You are welcome to my mounds of empties piling up in the garage.. "Five Cents for Every Can"!!! OMG Who knew that line would actually be useful one day.. Do you remember? Cataract Joe.. I was the preppy beggar, haha.
Really though, I am sure I can spare a few bucks if you would be comfortable in borrowing :) Even if you don't need it, it is nice to know that it is there.

metalpeter - 01/06/06 19:13
I think what you may want to do is just fuckin scream at the top of your lungs or yell something and hold the last sound in the word for as long as you can. those two things can get rid of some of the stress and anger. When things get you down or you think your life sucks. Try to think of people who have it worse. For example the homeless, people in wheel chairs with out legs, the blind, the deaf, mothers with 3 or 4 badass kids who they yell at all day for not doing anything wrong. But mostly Find something fun to do to forget about it. Sorry that you arn't doing to well right now. I admit there isn't anything I can do to make things better for ya. But I'm sure things will get better.

leetee - 01/06/06 13:03
OK, i will not say "it could be worse". Oh, but i just did. I won't say it twice then, how's that?

Well, that sucks. All of it. Hope you saw the sunshine today, though?

To make you feel better, we dug out and last night Walt washed a big huge comforter for you. It was too warm for us... it's inside a nice soft velvet cover. Yummy warm. There will be a heater. I made sure the blinds all work. We can go on a grocery run Sunday night, if you want...