On Halloween, I make my rounds on campus and visit people. The list varies a bit based on my mobility and time each year, but I try to include people across the whole campus.<\/p>\n
One of these trips took me to an office I hadn’t interacted with much and to the desk of someone I didn’t know well, but had worked with a few times.<\/p>\n
She didn’t know what to make of me at first, then I took off my overly elaborate mask and introduced myself again.<\/p>\n
And she lit up. She’d been having a rough week and was feeling down about her job – and was delighted that someone cared enough to go to all that trouble just to visit people. We talked for a few minutes – with her beaming all the while – before I needed to head out and continue my visits. I made her day and her delight made my day as well. And we’ve remained good friends since.<\/p>\n
This morning, I heard that a department closely connected to hers had been obliterated by the cuts. Worried, I sent her an email to check on her and her group.<\/p>\n
A few minutes later, my phone rang. I was relieved that she called and she was relieved that I answered. We talked quietly for a few minutes – reassuring each other and commiserating – then told each other to take care.<\/p>\n
When I got off the phone, I teared up a bit. It was like hearing about a tornado hitting your home town and calling family to make sure they are okay.<\/p>\n
I got a few more “are you okay?” calls over the day and I know that was a common occurrence on campus.<\/p>\n
So, I sit here tonight with a snoring cat at my feet and a hot cup of tea slowly cooling at my side – trying to get some perspective.<\/p>\n
These hardworking and talented folks will find new opportunities in short order, I know. And those that remain will somehow find ways to do the work of 3 or 4 more people – in addition to the 2 or 3 jobs they were already doing.<\/p>\n
And life at the university will go on. Though I think something got broken this time.<\/p>\n
I’m still waiting to hear back from a few people who I knew were in jeopardy. And the next few weeks as we try to ramp up for the start of the semester will be rough.<\/p>\n
But we are survivors. Those that lost their jobs and those that remain.<\/p>\n
And we will get through this.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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