"It's nothing personal. I know you've been with us for 6--no--7 years now as a full time instructor, salary a bit below the average at this campus, but you have had medical benefits. You've taught almost twice the course load of tenured faculty (more students, more gen ed, larger class sizes, weaker students) for less pay than the tenured faculty get. You have wonderful student evaluations, and all your colleagues find you congenial and easy to work with. We owe you, though, so we will support you presenting your academic paper in London this summer (that paper you didn't have to write, just like you don't have to serve on committees--unless you have hopes of moving to a better position in the future). Yes, the campus can provide up to $2200 for the trip. Enjoy, we owe you for your loyalty."
"And you should know that when you return, you'll probably be reduced to part-time: that means half-pay, no benefits, and no check from June 30 until September 30. But you know, it's nothing personal."
I believe them when that say "It's nothing personal." It's True for them (the 1%) when they say it to us (the 99%). They have no personal feeling about this at all. It's purely about business, about that bottom line. "No, you're nice, hardworking, dedicated, always going above and beyond, exceeding expectations every time! But we've got to cut back. Nothing personal!"
Because, for them, cutting me back to half-time, half-pay, killing my access to insurance (at least there's COBRA--for a hefty price--especially hefty since I now only have half-pay)--all of this isn't personal. It's just business. Doesn't mean they weren't happy with my work. Doesn't me I didn't make things better for the university. And I cost them so much less than a tenured faculty member would, a one-year contract is such a cost-saver. Still the same PhD. Still 20 years experience here and there, freeway flier. Now 7 years at the same place, and I'm back to the start: part time, no benefits. No it's not personal--because they are sociopaths. Sociopaths don't do personal. They appreciate me some when they need me, but after, they will drop me at the side of the road like a bundle of blind cats.
If I had wanted this level of job security, I would have stayed a theatre major.
Because for me, the Truth is that this is very personal. I have personal relationships with my students, who don't understand that they make more money working in a bar that I make with my PhD. I have personal relationships with the retired parents I may have to borrow money from, with the doctors I may not be able to pay (or even see for treatment of a minor but chronic condition), with the tenants in my rental unit (I'm going to have to raise their rent--don't want to, she teaches at the U too, and I know she isn't getting a raise--but she's not getting a cut either, so up it will have to go). No doubt about it: this change is going to affect me and my family and friends in very personal ways. It is very personal.
The fact that they do not see it as personal is the problem. Sociopaths all around us. Oh they're high-functioning; they aren't serial killers. They "just" destroy hope, the American dream, our futures.
What quaint ideas! How can I afford them any more?
And if I, a PhD with good social skills and a strong employment history, am facing this callous cut with anger, frustration, and tears, how gut-wrenchingly horrific for a single parent with kids to get this kind of news.
Our culture is dying, and I don't know how to save it. I don't even know that it should be saved. Maybe it has to utterly and completely fail before we can rebuild a more just world.
All I know is that I am on the job market. Again. At 50. PhD with Specialities in American Literature and Science Fiction. Extensive experience with teaching all levels of composition: ESL to advanced comp. University or community college teaching preferred, but I will take what I can get. I am a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Moldova 2003-5), and I am willing to travel anywhere to teach. My passport is up to date, and my toothbrush is in my pocket. I can start August 1, 2012. Send me a note via dkos mail if you have any ideas.
At least it's not too late to plant a garden. I hope.