Minor Morning Rant

It never ceases to amaze me that administrative types on a university campus can be surprised when faculty aren't hanging out in their offices in the summer. Given that most faculty are on 10-month contracts, why in Heaven's name would they be on campus? Indeed, isn't one of the things that is the hallmark of the professoriate is that we are often hard to locate? Along with absent-mindedness, isn't being difficult to find one of the key stereotypical traits of professors? It ain't like one gets a ton of writing done in one's university office.

The summer thing truly floors me, however, such as when someone will try to schedule a meeting once classes are over with, and then be surprised that no one shows up. (That happened this year in late May. I warned the Chair that no one (myself included) would come to a committee meeting after classes were done. He thought we should try, but eventually decided to postpone until the Fall).

What further amazes me is that in this day and age that someone will leave one a voicemail, but not just send an e-mail. Or, if one really needs to talk to someone, surely a phone call to the person's home would be in order.