It looks like, if I am careful, with the help of a friend (my cats’ godfather) for cat supplies, and without quite knowing how the tax and medical things will go (I am fairly sure a couple of friends will help with those when the time comes), I will survive the summer financially. (I think I’m keeping the GoFundMe open just in case—“it looks like… if I am careful…” etc. is not quite “I’ll be doing great!” and this is a period from now till mid-September, after all.) Thanks be to God—and to the people who have been helping!!
God is good .... all the time .... God is good. Hang on in there, bruv!
Blessings XX
Glad to hear it, CM, but I'm a bit puzzled. From what you've said about classes, I'm assuming you're a teacher or lecturer. Surely there must be something very wrong with the American education system if a teacher has to use Go Fund Me during the summer holidays?
Glad to hear it, CM, but I'm a bit puzzled. From what you've said about classes, I'm assuming you're a teacher or lecturer. Surely there must be something very wrong with the American education system if a teacher has to use Go Fund Me during the summer holidays?
Why, yes. But I'm specifically an adjunct college professor.
Unfortunately, the situation re @ChastMastr is not unique to the US (hope I've assumed that rightly) . The last round of negotiations re pay and conditions at my former employer (Uni sector), involved a focus on casual employees, many of whom have to find work for the summer holiday period as they aren't paid then. Also, they don't know if they will be reappointed in the following year. Not a great way to try to establish a career or even live with any security.
I do note that the government is always able to splash cash on buildings, both construction and refurbishing, and redundancy packages, but staff always having to do more with less as well as the regular rounds of Enterprise Bargaining. I only held a support role, but found it such a frustrating environment in which to work. The whole thing made me leave abruptly after 23 years, I just couldn't stand it any more. So unfortunately @ChastMastr's situation is one playing out in more than one country
Ah, now I understand. When we lived in Newfoundland, part of David's job was as an adjunct prof at the local theologian college, teaching the students about the musical aspects of being a priest, such as how to sing the offices and so on.
Now I think about it, he was just paid per hour (not for holidays), but as it wasn't his main source of income I didn't really notice.
Could you get the chance to apply for a permanent or full-time post if one came up?
I was one of these for a little while, before I got into publishing. The chances of such a post opening up are really minimal, unless you've a) got a doctorate, preferably with publications, and b) are willing to relocate literally ANYWHERE across the country. Even then lots of people don't find posts. I ended up in an affiliated industry for just this reason, as quite a few people do. But much depends on what's available where you live.
Ah, now I understand. When we lived in Newfoundland, part of David's job was as an adjunct prof at the local theologian college, teaching the students about the musical aspects of being a priest, such as how to sing the offices and so on.
Now I think about it, he was just paid per hour (not for holidays), but as it wasn't his main source of income I didn't really notice.
Could you get the chance to apply for a permanent or full-time post if one came up?
I’m sorry to say that it never really seems to happen. Part of the problem is that it’s more lucrative for colleges to hire more people as adjuncts then fewer people as permanent/full-time – for one thing they don’t have to give them benefits that way.
I found a Washington Post article that suggested the people who are adjuncts for Canadian colleges do much better, but I don’t know if they would hire someone from down here in the US. If I could teach online at a Canadian college and make more money God that would be fantastic.
I found a Washington Post article that suggested the people who are adjuncts for Canadian colleges do much better, but I don’t know if they would hire someone from down here in the US. If I could teach online at a Canadian college and make more money God that would be fantastic.
@ChastMastr I don't know what Athabasca's pay and hiring processes are like, but they are a completely online university based in Alberta. Might be worth exploring?
Most of my adjunct teaching came about because I knew department heads who knew my work. When we were in Boston in the mid 90's I got adjunct/sessional jobs by visiting oodles of colleges and introducing myself to relevant department heads. However, I'm very aware that the world has changed since then. Also, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) made getting the necessary work permissions easy (Well, OK, I had to educate the relevant border guards and university HR people in the US, but NAFTA made it possible for me to work in the US when previously it would have been impossible). I think NAFTA also meant that an American who got a university job in Canada would also have been able to make the move.
I found a Washington Post article that suggested the people who are adjuncts for Canadian colleges do much better, but I don’t know if they would hire someone from down here in the US. If I could teach online at a Canadian college and make more money God that would be fantastic.
@ChastMastr I don't know what Athabasca's pay and hiring processes are like, but they are a completely online university based in Alberta. Might be worth exploring?
Most of my adjunct teaching came about because I knew department heads who knew my work. When we were in Boston in the mid 90's I got adjunct/sessional jobs by visiting oodles of colleges and introducing myself to relevant department heads. However, I'm very aware that the world has changed since then. Also, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) made getting the necessary work permissions easy (Well, OK, I had to educate the relevant border guards and university HR people in the US, but NAFTA made it possible for me to work in the US when previously it would have been impossible). I think NAFTA also meant that an American who got a university job in Canada would also have been able to make the move.
I sympathise, CM. It sounds similar to the associate lecturer role that I have at my UK distance learning university; I am paid to teach certain modules over the academic year and not paid to teach over the summer. But we do have other protections such as paid annual leave, training and sick pay and are on the standard academic pay scale. We are the largest university in the UK and have a huge workforce of associate lecturers. Until recently, 50% of us only taught one module, usually to supplement a more standard university post elsewhere, but I was one of the 50% teaching multiple courses as my sole income and have lived with the job insecurity since 2007.
After lengthy and torturous union negotiations, my university has recently started paying us 9 months salary spread over the whole academic year so that we are in continuous employment with the legal protections that has (and recognises our previous years in this calculation), and increased our annual leave, extra paid duties and study leave so that we are closer to our full time equivalents and treated as flexibly working employees instead of casual.
I pray for justice for you in your work 🕯
North American universities do seem to have a rather cavalier attitude to their staff. I worked as a research assistant at the university in Newfoundland (although it was basically a clerical job - I don't have a degree, but my work was mostly typing).
I was half-time, and discovered that I wasn't entitled to any paid leave at all, which came as a bit of a shock to a Brit used to at least four weeks! Luckily my boss (also a Brit) was happy for me to come in and do extra hours, bank holidays and so on to make up the time before I took the leave so that I didn't actually lose any pay.
North American universities do seem to have a rather cavalier attitude to their staff. I worked as a research assistant at the university in Newfoundland (although it was basically a clerical job - I don't have a degree, but my work was mostly typing).
I was half-time, and discovered that I wasn't entitled to any paid leave at all, which came as a bit of a shock to a Brit used to at least four weeks! Luckily my boss (also a Brit) was happy for me to come in and do extra hours, bank holidays and so on to make up the time before I took the leave so that I didn't actually lose any pay.
I would go further and say at least in the US that this applies to lots and lots of jobs in lots and lots of fields. One friend of mine works for a local city government. Because he is not full-time, not only does he not get benefits (health insurance etc.), but when there are government holidays when no one works, all the full-timers get paid, but he does not, so he has to make up the time on his day off if he wants to have that money.
I sympathise, CM. It sounds similar to the associate lecturer role that I have at my UK distance learning university; I am paid to teach certain modules over the academic year and not paid to teach over the summer. But we do have other protections such as paid annual leave, training and sick pay and are on the standard academic pay scale. We are the largest university in the UK and have a huge workforce of associate lecturers. Until recently, 50% of us only taught one module, usually to supplement a more standard university post elsewhere, but I was one of the 50% teaching multiple courses as my sole income and have lived with the job insecurity since 2007.
After lengthy and torturous union negotiations, my university has recently started paying us 9 months salary spread over the whole academic year so that we are in continuous employment with the legal protections that has (and recognises our previous years in this calculation), and increased our annual leave, extra paid duties and study leave so that we are closer to our full time equivalents and treated as flexibly working employees instead of casual.
I pray for justice for you in your work 🕯
Feeling much better. My priest came by with communion and we also talked for a very long time. It looks like the church may be able to help with some difficulties I’ve had with the apartment for sometime, including a deep cleaning once my foot stops, er, leaking. Alleluia!!
My priest brought communion today, and we talked for ages and it was wonderful. I'm happy to report, among other things, that once my foot stops, er, leaking, the church will pay for a deep cleaning of my apartment! Alleluia! He's also going to try to help me with some other things, praise God! (The isolation has been really bad. Even before Cubby passed, we were pretty isolated, and wanted to change that and get out and meet people, and then Covid hit... I have a zillion Facebook friends, even many many local ones I've had as FB friends for years... most of whom I've never met or only met briefly. The tiny handful of people I actually know and who can/will come by is microscopic at the moment, and in all four cases, there are obstacles in the way of that that limit things due to a variety of factors. One of the things we will be working on will be helping me get to know more people, down the road, I think...) I feel like there's an actual light at the end of the tunnel now more than I have since even before Cubby passed. Thank you Jesus! (And Fr. Ryan!)
My priest brought communion today, and we talked for ages and it was wonderful. I'm happy to report, among other things, that once my foot stops, er, leaking, the church will pay for a deep cleaning of my apartment! Alleluia! He's also going to try to help me with some other things, praise God! (The isolation has been really bad. Even before Cubby passed, we were pretty isolated, and wanted to change that and get out and meet people, and then Covid hit... I have a zillion Facebook friends, even many many local ones I've had as FB friends for years... most of whom I've never met or only met briefly. The tiny handful of people I actually know and who can/will come by is microscopic at the moment, and in all four cases, there are obstacles in the way of that that limit things due to a variety of factors. One of the things we will be working on will be helping me get to know more people, down the road, I think...) I feel like there's an actual light at the end of the tunnel now more than I have since even before Cubby passed. Thank you Jesus! (And Fr. Ryan!)
More prayers welcome but I don’t want to put tons of info here. I am grateful that I am in a good hospital to take care of the infection in my burned foot and that there is at least one friend who can check on my cats if I have to be here more than a few days. I’m so grateful also that I saw my priest yesterday and had communion and also had that talk before this happened. I feel like I’ve actually got a church community that could actually help me if things get worse in ways I didn’t expect. I didn’t feel that way before our meeting yesterday. So that is still a blessing even right now in the scary situation I’m in.
@ChastMastr, it sounds like in the midst of crisis, you have been given the gift of knowing you are held in God's and the community's care. I'm praying for you and also giving thanks.
I’m home from the hospital (with strong oral antibiotics (Keflex) to clear up the infection in the burned foot) with my babies! Both kitties are in the bedroom with me. Lying down in a real bed again now.
All excellent news.
And my son, once known n these boards as The Giraffe, has just graduated from Aberdeen University with first class honours. In his secondary school days I would have found this an incredible statement!
All excellent news.
And my son, once known n these boards as The Giraffe, has just graduated from Aberdeen University with first class honours. In his secondary school days I would have found this an incredible statement!
All excellent news.
And my son, once known n these boards as The Giraffe, has just graduated from Aberdeen University with first class honours. In his secondary school days I would have found this an incredible statement!
Oh @Cathscats I remember the Giraffe 's trip to South Africa just before the Covid pandemic and how involved he was with the KZN community. This is great news to hear!
Today I'm really thankful for Telehealth. I woke up on Sunday with a very blocked nose and subsequently, have had 3 negative rats. However, I am glad to be able to phone GP and get some helpful advice around need for PCR or not and also to deal with my catastrophising brain.
I also heard a former Ocology fellow on son's treating team on radio this morning and I am so grateful for all those current and former working in such a difficult area. Thank you God!
I was worried, but the doctor says my foot is, indeed, healing.
That is good. PTL! I too on visits to my cardiologist and physio have had similar reassuring assessments. 'Then why', I asked, 'do I feel so awful?' 'Been thru' a lot,' they reply, 'gotta be patient'. So, dear bruv, be warned .... 'Lord, give me patience and give it to me now.'
Comments
God is good .... all the time .... God is good. Hang on in there, bruv!
Blessings XX
Why, yes. But I'm specifically an adjunct college professor.
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-02-01/la-ed-editorial-most-college-professors-are-underpaid-adjuncts
https://www.chronicle.com/article/adjunct-professors-face-a-constant-struggle-to-not-give-up-report-says
https://www.texasaft.org/membership/aft/low-wages-no-respect-new-aft-report-highlights-the-struggles-of-adjunct-professors/
I do note that the government is always able to splash cash on buildings, both construction and refurbishing, and redundancy packages, but staff always having to do more with less as well as the regular rounds of Enterprise Bargaining. I only held a support role, but found it such a frustrating environment in which to work. The whole thing made me leave abruptly after 23 years, I just couldn't stand it any more. So unfortunately @ChastMastr's situation is one playing out in more than one country
Now I think about it, he was just paid per hour (not for holidays), but as it wasn't his main source of income I didn't really notice.
Could you get the chance to apply for a permanent or full-time post if one came up?
I’m sorry to say that it never really seems to happen. Part of the problem is that it’s more lucrative for colleges to hire more people as adjuncts then fewer people as permanent/full-time – for one thing they don’t have to give them benefits that way.
@ChastMastr I don't know what Athabasca's pay and hiring processes are like, but they are a completely online university based in Alberta. Might be worth exploring?
Most of my adjunct teaching came about because I knew department heads who knew my work. When we were in Boston in the mid 90's I got adjunct/sessional jobs by visiting oodles of colleges and introducing myself to relevant department heads. However, I'm very aware that the world has changed since then. Also, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) made getting the necessary work permissions easy (Well, OK, I had to educate the relevant border guards and university HR people in the US, but NAFTA made it possible for me to work in the US when previously it would have been impossible). I think NAFTA also meant that an American who got a university job in Canada would also have been able to make the move.
I will check—thank you!!
After lengthy and torturous union negotiations, my university has recently started paying us 9 months salary spread over the whole academic year so that we are in continuous employment with the legal protections that has (and recognises our previous years in this calculation), and increased our annual leave, extra paid duties and study leave so that we are closer to our full time equivalents and treated as flexibly working employees instead of casual.
I pray for justice for you in your work 🕯
I was half-time, and discovered that I wasn't entitled to any paid leave at all, which came as a bit of a shock to a Brit used to at least four weeks! Luckily my boss (also a Brit) was happy for me to come in and do extra hours, bank holidays and so on to make up the time before I took the leave so that I didn't actually lose any pay.
I would go further and say at least in the US that this applies to lots and lots of jobs in lots and lots of fields. One friend of mine works for a local city government. Because he is not full-time, not only does he not get benefits (health insurance etc.), but when there are government holidays when no one works, all the full-timers get paid, but he does not, so he has to make up the time on his day off if he wants to have that money.
Thank you!! ❤️
So good!
RR XX
I'm so proud of her.
All five of my God-children are a delight, each in their own way.
And my son, once known n these boards as The Giraffe, has just graduated from Aberdeen University with first class honours. In his secondary school days I would have found this an incredible statement!
Yes, indeed!
Oh @Cathscats I remember the Giraffe 's trip to South Africa just before the Covid pandemic and how involved he was with the KZN community. This is great news to hear!
I also heard a former Ocology fellow on son's treating team on radio this morning and I am so grateful for all those current and former working in such a difficult area. Thank you God!
That is good. PTL! I too on visits to my cardiologist and physio have had similar reassuring assessments. 'Then why', I asked, 'do I feel so awful?' 'Been thru' a lot,' they reply, 'gotta be patient'. So, dear bruv, be warned .... 'Lord, give me patience and give it to me now.'