> Dear Tom, Ron, Newton, and Paul, Thanks much for your advice/concerns/observations/words of wisdom as quoted below.Things have a way of working out, and while not all the issues are solved, many of my concerns have been addressed since the discussion on the list. Turns out the CSU system has no specific injunctions against inventory items living temporarily in faculty homes. (This direct from Property office.) They say go ahead, make whatever documentation you feel comfortable with, and get on with other stuff.(!) We call this sort of sudden wind in your sails "whiplash" around here..... Anyway, this has been done before with verticals under my watch, (I've been here almost 10 years and we had a different Chairperson), but I always thought there was alot of winking going on. Yes, I am very familiar with the "trade for value" proceedure, and have used it to get rid of extra second rate stuff. The trouble is all our remaining stuff is now pretty much first rate, and with no money for restorations let alone new purchases (and not likely to be any for a long time, I've been assured), my main objective is to make sure we retain ownership of everything, including what needs extensive work. I seem to have accomplished this now -- I hope. Oh yeah, and what's all this arguing about snow?? Do you realize that your talking to a coastal Californian? -- bad enough, but were behind the "Redwood Curtain" in Humboldt County, AND on the coast -- practically a foreign country by most American's standards. Snowfall is so rare here that if there's a quarter of an inch, everyone stops work to watch it and kibbitz about the last 20 minute snowfall about 7 years ago. "Now there was a REAL snowfall...." By the time the talk stops and everyone returns to their places it's melted..... By the way, Californians also do not have basements as a rule - many probably don't know what one is :-) Greg > Dear Greg - > > Probably the Cal State system is as bureaucratic as State University of New > York where I worked. At SUNY, the biggest problem would have been the keeping > of state inventoried equipment in a private home. > > How about sending the piano out for repairs, say to your place? Just be sure > to CYA with appropriate paper work. > > (We had a bit of snow today in Montpelier. Here's hoping you did not!) > > - Tom McNeil - > Vermont Piano Restorations > >> Seem to me that *most* university administrations frown deeply when an >> employee offers to take possession -- regardless of how brief -- of an >> inventoried item. That is, items whose replacement value exceeds x >> dollars and aren't considered 'mobile.' (As in a Macintosh G3 laptop >> which, after all, is designed to be portable.) >> >> Administratium aside, I think it sets a bad precedent for a piano to find >> its way into the living room of a faculty member -- or any other employee, >> for that matter. To whom will you have to say, "No" next time? >> >> Have you considered having current figures on hand when discussing the >> value of the senior B? (Replacement cost, market value, cost of replacing >> board -- including all associated costs? >> >> I can't believe that there's not a 3' X 8' area along a wall (basement? >> away from furnace?) where you can store the piano for a spell. >> >> If all else fails, see if the U would be willing/able to auction off the >> piano (sealed bids) and use the money for a new instrument. >> >> Ron Torrella, RPT >> Piano Technician >> University of Michigan "Dese are de conditions dat prevail." >> School of Music --Jimmy Durante >> >> The problem here may be that yours is a "State University" which means >> the state owns the piano and finding state owned property in a private >> home (albeit a professor) puts the professor at the wrong end of theft >> of state property. Not a good scene. >> >> Since it may be illegal to sell state property an alternative is to >> trade for kind, a smaller 'better' piano in exchange for the value >> inherent in this 'B'. I had done this from time to time. >> >> If the action is in good or new condition you might do some moving >> around so that the students get a better practice room piano. This may >> entail moving three or more pianos but you will keep the piano in the >> family. >> >> I am sure the university has a "materials management" or "surplus >> property" area which will gladly take the piano, and charge your >> department with moving costs, and sell it to the general public but you >> need to get your bid in early so you can pick up the piano for a song or >> a dance. >> >> If there are no such restraints maybe you can buy the piano outright >> from the department and have a good rebuildable, which later you can >> sell back to the department for a really good profit. >> >> Lots of luck. >> >> Newton >> > Hi Tom, > > SUNY bureaucratic? Why wherever did you get such a notion!!! I must admit > though things have loosened up just a bit. Do me a favor- keep the snow on > your side of the NY/Vermont border. > > Greg, > > Maybe a visit from the Steinway dealer or a call to Steinway would convince > the deaf ears as to what they have and it's value. > > Regards, > Paul > >
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