More with Less - the movie

Wouldn't you know that I would come down with a monster cold for the day of the discussion with 15 CFOs from large, expensive universities. I dragged myself to school and met with my Master's course in Applied Underwater Basketweaving. I told them what I expected of them, gave them some hints of topics to discuss, and we worked on that old elevator talk for breaking the ice.

They had the room with the coffee locked - probably afraid we would eat all the cookies before they finished their session. But about 5 minutes after the appointed time we were let in. People were reluctant to start, so I told my Basketweavers to just get a cuppa and find someone with a name tag to chat with. Soon they all had a CFO, sometimes in groups, sometimes alone. And I got some people asking me questions, too [insert wicked laugh].

The Vice President of Instructional Resources saw me speaking to one lady and beelined over to inject himself into the conversation. What a shame someone had a question for him as well ....

Did we have trouble recruiting teaching staff when we have so few administrators and assistants? Oh yes, the proffies are very irritated at having to do everything themselves. We are paying professor wages for them to make their own copies. We have *such* a problem getting and retaining staff. Did you realize that our salaries are 10 % below comparable schools in other states?

It seems that we don't coddle our students the way they do. When they pay such a price they want a golf club and fine dining and someone to find a job for them when they are through. Oh no, they have to sink or swim on their own, no staff to do hand-holding.

We had such a lovely campus, but did it bother the students that we don't have a top-rate football team? I have no idea, but I smiled sweetly and lied through my teeth: They are here to learn, not for fun.

We were thanked profusely for being there, I even managed to give Mr. Hotshot Organizer my card, and his eyebrow shot up when he realized who I am. But what a pity, we had to hurry on! We took the rest of the fruit & cookies with us and debriefed outside.

One of my more anarchist students was lit up like a light bulb. If I could only get him this enthusiastic about weaving! "Hah!" he said, "when he asked me how we could have such a quality education for such a low price I asked him why his school costs so much! And I asked him what salary his president makes." Did I mention that we briefed on current events at one or two of the schools involving administrator's salaries?

They actually had a great time - they were for all practical purposes anonymous and could speak their minds. And the big-shot administrators were just normal human beings you could debate with. Did I see some worry in the eyes of our CFO as he tried to pry Mr. Hotshot Organizer out of my claws? I'm probably just imagining that.

My voice is now shot. I've called in sick for tomorrow. I think I deserve a day in bed. I'll have tea and mango juice, please.