[CAUT] Position Announcement, U. of Northern Colorado

[Fred Sturm]

On Jul 30, 2008, at 5:00 PM, Jeff Tanner wrote:

> Comments interspersed


Hi Jeff,
	I haven't the faintest wish to argue with you. We can agree to  
disagree. You are obviously very passionate about your opinions, and  
have finally taken the logical step of leaving employment in the caut  
world. I wish you all the best in that endeavor.
	My opinions as stated stand. I don't necessarily disagree with your  
assertions. However, I do live in a very real world, as do the faculty  
members and students I serve. If we had to go by some ideal standard  
or fold up shop, we would have to fold up shop. We have limited  
resources, and have no choice but to live within them, and to make the  
best we can with what we have. In spite of less than ideal conditions,  
my institution is capable of producing excellent musicians. The piano  
students have a much better chance of success (based on the  
instruments they have at their disposal to practice and perform on)  
than they did 30 years ago, when I was a student at the same  
institution. I am quite happy with what I have been able to accomplish  
in my 22 years there. My faculty is very happy with what we have been  
able to accomplish together. We continue to aspire to do better.
	As for "justice," and what people are worth, and whether this or that  
is fair, well, for my part I don't really care very much about those  
issues. That's not the sort of thing that motivates me or interests  
me. You are more than welcome to carry that torch. I am certainly in  
agreement that nobody should be treated as a doormat, and that we  
should seek what each of us believe to be adequate compensation for  
our work. I make progress in that direction by treating my faculty and  
administration with respect, and they return the favor.

Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm at unm.edu