[CAUT] School Politics (Re: LSU SOM position)

[Jeff Tanner]

Rick Florence wrote:
"Evan, I can sum up institutional politics in one sentence.  Keep the 
faculty happy, especially the keyboard folks.  If they are not happy, you're 
life will be miserable, if they appreciate you, they will be strong 
advocates for everything from budgets to travel for continued education."


Now Rick,
That is very much oversimplified.  In reality, this is MUCH easier said than 
done, especially when there is only one tech position, regardless of how 
many or how few pianos there are.  You've got a second position there who 
can cover for you while you're out moonlighting to make up for the 
insufficient salary or taking your vacation time on the lake, right?

Activity doesn't stop at the school pretty much year round, and as long as 
there is only one staff position, there is nobody to cover for you if you 
get sick, down in the back, want to take your vacation time or have to make 
extra money, and young, ambitious faculty aren't very patient with that. 
But if you have two positions, regardless of whether you have 40 pianos or 
400, you at least have someone to cover when one of you has to be gone.

Even when you have holiday leave - Thanksgiving or Christmas - faculty are 
doing recordings at the school because that's the only time they can book 
the hall for such.  While they might agree to compensate you for the one or 
two tunings you do for them, they pretty much expect YOU to do it and give 
up that trip to spend Christmas or Thanksgiving with family.  Then, there's 
the annual piano festival that conflicts with that continued education...

Being one tech in a situation is tough.  I don't recommend it for anyone, 
ESPECIALLY if you have, or are planning to start, a family.

College work is a great training ground for honing your skills.  But it is 
no means of providing a living.

Jeff