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Free Talk Live => General => Topic started by: ahasp on January 18, 2011, 11:35:47 PM

Title: Outing myself
Post by: ahasp on January 18, 2011, 11:35:47 PM
I feel that as a former Amplifier, an FTL listener, and sometimes poster on this message board, that I need to come clean....I am a state government employee.  In fact, while I am not an LEO or participate in the war on drugs, I am still probably one of the worst in the eyes of Mark and Ian as I am a college professor.  I have a state pension.  I have really great healthcare. 

Working for the state can be extremely frustrating.  The level of bureaucracy is mind-numbing.  But I love teaching and participating in the campus community, especially the great campus that I work for.  Unfortunately, the state has a near monopoly on higher level education, so I had few options elsewhere. 

I'd like to clear up a few things that I hear on air.  The pensions are a blessing and a curse.  The defined benefit is good, but, as my colleagues like to refer to it, it is a "golden leash".   One of the purposes of the pension is to keep you from looking for opportunities elsewhere.  The value of the pension benefit is practically nil in your first few years, but increases in value the longer you stay. 

As a result of the motivations to not look for opportunities elsewhere (i.e. pensions and the tenure clock), academics face wage compression.  For example, my department has hired three additional faculty  since I was hired, each one receiving a higher salary than I currently receive. 

While the pensions and healthcare are great, the salaries are often not competitive with those in private industry (at least not for business professors).  I was offered a higher paying corporate job before I took the academic job that I have now.  I really wanted to be a professor, so I took a pay cut.   

At best, we receive a 3% cost of living increase each year, even in good times.  Merit pay is virtually nonexistent, which I don't agree with.  For the past 2 years, we've taken a 5% pay cut.  I hear a lot of people saying that we're lucky that we even have jobs, but the unemployment rate for business PhDs is still pretty close to 0%.

The nice thing about my school is that we only receive about 1/3rd of our funding from the state.  The administration and many of the faculty would actually like to receive less because state funding hampers our ability to serve students.  Each in-state student is subsidized by tax dollars.  When the fixed amount of subsidy dollars runs out, we can't take anymore in-state students in and so we focus on bringing in out-of-state and international students, who pay full price.    We turn away good in-state students because they are automatically subsidized. 

I somewhat agree with Mark and Ian when I hear that college is  overrated.  It is certainly overrated for unmotivated students.  For motivated students, it truly is a chance of a lifetime.   At my school, most of your instructors have PhDs, meaning that they likely spent around 10 years in college learning about the subject that they are teaching you.  You really have to love the subject to spend that much time learning about it.  Many of us (including myself) also have private industry experience and we can introduce students to people in the industry to get their careers started. 

There are endless opportunities for motivated students.  I set up a program at my school last year that allows students in my major to get experience working with industry professionals to compete in a competition.  We set up internships to give students industry experience.  I encourage students to complete independent studies to focus on something that they are passionate about.

When we find a motivated student, they are celebrated in our department.  We let good employers know about them.  We push them to apply for scholarships.   We work hard to make sure that they are successful.  Unfortunately, many students aren't very motivated.  Well, at least not beyond hitting the bars on the weekends. 

I get frustrated with unmotivated students.  Students that just want a grade.  It's those students that say that college is a waste of time.  And for them, it is. 

A lot of kids go to college without knowing why they are going to college or what they are going to study when they get there.  I would advise anyone in high school to work for a few years before going to college if they don't know what they want to do.  I have two children and we are homeschooling them.  My plan is to have them finish their schooling at 16 and then work at something for two years.  Ideally, they'll start businesses providing a good or service.  It will give them a chance to earn money for college and get to work in the real world for a while.  I think it also teaches responsibility and time management.

I set this up in the hijack-free zone to answer any questions that you might have about college or the college experience.  If you come to bash, I'll just erase your comment. 
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: sillyperson on January 18, 2011, 11:42:21 PM
Funny, I just did a favorable interview with a guy who is a college professor, and frankly a hardcore socialist. That doesn't prevent me from being able to find common ground and work with someone on specific issues.

http://nhcaptv.com/episode/146
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: anarchir on January 19, 2011, 12:13:21 AM
What you say makes sense. I was one of those unmotivated students, with no end major in mind and throwing away my money on tuition, so after 2 years I dropped out. Now I can study whatever I want :)
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: Amazing Richard on January 19, 2011, 01:00:51 AM
Recently, I read an article from the New York Times called "Is Law School a Losing Game?":

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/business/09law.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&ref=general&src=me

There is some kind of blogging subculture going on where law graduates are warning folk not to go to law school, and build up massive debt ($100,000 average in loans), with very little chance of finding a good job as a lawyer.

The market is saturated, and the only people making money are working in these related educational institutions. The article is specific to law, but....I'm sure...many people can recognize that almost all markets appear to be saturated. But in order to make money, the schools present the notion that everything is ok.....and if you give a school the money....you'll get yer fancy job, and will be driving a Porsche ...in no time.

Some would say that it is irresponsible for the educational institutions to be cranking out so many graduates when the jobs are just not there, while leaving graduates in a tremendous amount of debt.

For the most part....."education" is a hustle.

Young people need to understand what "market saturation" means....cuz the "educational institutions" sure as hell will not stress these types of things....cuz that would not make for a very good hustle.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: FTL_Mark on January 19, 2011, 09:33:55 AM
I feel that as a former Amplifier, an FTL listener, and sometimes poster on this message board, that I need to come clean....I am a state government employee.  In fact, while I am not an LEO or participate in the war on drugs, I am still probably one of the worst in the eyes of Mark and Ian as I am a college professor.  I have a state pension.  I have really great healthcare. 


Easy on the flagellation, Doc :). I have no problem with a liberty minded individual working at a state funded university. In fact I want you there. My problem (likely yours too) is the funding, not the institution.

You also sound like a man who has found his life's work and that is always inspiring. I will put this into show prep, as I think people should hear it.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: Pod99966 on January 19, 2011, 10:19:37 AM

 My problem (likely yours too) is the funding, not the institution.


Come on Mark, where could a person get a quality higher education at the cost of public universities. As a graduate of the largest private university in America I can tell you the price difference is astronomical. I paid 5x what tuition would have cost me if I had went to Florida State.

Without state funding, who would fund these schools, and keep them at a pricepoint to make it worth going. I know Ian disdains higher education, but in the real world, it does have it's advantages when looking for work.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: blackie on January 19, 2011, 10:34:53 AM

 My problem (likely yours too) is the funding, not the institution.


Come on Mark, where could a person get a quality higher education at the cost of public universities.
Internet.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: Pod99966 on January 19, 2011, 10:58:43 AM

 My problem (likely yours too) is the funding, not the institution.


Come on Mark, where could a person get a quality higher education at the cost of public universities.
Internet.

I didn't know the internet was issuing bachelor's degrees. Is the internet accredited?

I'm being sarcastic. And I do agree that there is a world of education available on the internet. But unless it's something that you can put on a resume, it doesn't help much.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: blackie on January 19, 2011, 11:21:15 AM
But unless it's something that you can put on a resume, it doesn't help much.
You can list your skills and knowledge on a resume.

There is also the military. They pay you to learn stuff, instead of having to pay for the education. You also get on the job training, and a first job to put on the resume. People love to see military experience on a resume. Most people are patriotic and shit.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: Evil Muppet on January 19, 2011, 11:54:16 AM
What do you teach?
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: Pod99966 on January 19, 2011, 12:04:12 PM
But unless it's something that you can put on a resume, it doesn't help much.
You can list your skills and knowledge on a resume.

There is also the military. They pay you to learn stuff, instead of having to pay for the education. You also get on the job training, and a first job to put on the resume. People love to see military experience on a resume. Most people are patriotic and shit.

I'm ex-Navy, so I am fully aware oh how  well military service looks on a resume. But it's still funded by tax dollars, so it's not much better than a public university. :)
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: Diogenes The Cynic on January 19, 2011, 12:52:28 PM
I think you can make up for it by jacking as many sensitive documents as you can get your hands on, and release them onto the internet.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: davann on January 19, 2011, 01:03:45 PM
If I were you I'd double check the strength of that golden leash. From what I understand many State pensions were tied into the housing stuff and took an enormous hit which I don't think they have recovered from yet. Yours might be different or it might not be. Check it out, remember you are dealing with government promises here which we all know never end the way people expect.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: ahasp on January 19, 2011, 03:40:31 PM
I feel that as a former Amplifier, an FTL listener, and sometimes poster on this message board, that I need to come clean....I am a state government employee.  In fact, while I am not an LEO or participate in the war on drugs, I am still probably one of the worst in the eyes of Mark and Ian as I am a college professor.  I have a state pension.  I have really great healthcare. 


Easy on the flagellation, Doc :). I have no problem with a liberty minded individual working at a state funded university. In fact I want you there. My problem (likely yours too) is the funding, not the institution.

You also sound like a man who has found his life's work and that is always inspiring. I will put this into show prep, as I think people should hear it.

Hi Mark,

I was trying to be a little sarcastic there.  I think that funding really is the problem.  Many public universities (mine included) could easily self-fund if we could get away from government mandates and the idea that everyone, regardless of motivation or the ability to pay, should go to college. 
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: ahasp on January 19, 2011, 03:47:26 PM

 My problem (likely yours too) is the funding, not the institution.


Come on Mark, where could a person get a quality higher education at the cost of public universities. As a graduate of the largest private university in America I can tell you the price difference is astronomical. I paid 5x what tuition would have cost me if I had went to Florida State.

Without state funding, who would fund these schools, and keep them at a pricepoint to make it worth going. I know Ian disdains higher education, but in the real world, it does have it's advantages when looking for work.

About two-thirds of the funding of my school comes from tuition and outside grants (primarily tuition).  We could go to 0% of funding if we could raise tuition.  We have a weird tuition schedule with the same tuition for between 12 and 18 credits.  Maxing out the amount of classes you can take, an in-state student would pay about $5 per hour of instruction and and out of state student would pay about $10 per hour of instruction.  This includes books (we have a book rental program) and fees.    We could easily increase the tuition to cover the subsidized portion and still make school affordable. 
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: ahasp on January 19, 2011, 03:48:21 PM
What do you teach?


I don't want to be too specific, but I teach in a quantitatively heavy business area.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: ahasp on January 19, 2011, 03:50:56 PM
If I were you I'd double check the strength of that golden leash. From what I understand many State pensions were tied into the housing stuff and took an enormous hit which I don't think they have recovered from yet. Yours might be different or it might not be. Check it out, remember you are dealing with government promises here which we all know never end the way people expect.

The state that I work for actually has a very well run retirement system.  I believe that it is fully funded, that is, current employees are not making the payments for current retirees.  I've personally met many of the people that make the investment decisions for the fund.  They are top notch and very open about what they are investing in. 
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: Lindsey on January 19, 2011, 04:08:35 PM
I think anybody, liberty-minded or not, that would crucify you for working for the state is a fool.  You're one of the lucky people who is doing something for a living that you enjoy.  You're a police officer, you're an educator.  Ideally, being a freedom-minded individual, I'd like to sever all ties with government.  It's just not possible though, if you're a person who wants any quality of life. 
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: Ecolitan on January 19, 2011, 08:30:26 PM

Without state funding, who would fund these schools, and keep them at a pricepoint to make it worth going. I know Ian disdains higher education, but in the real world, it does have it's advantages when looking for work.

Not as many people would go to college.  More employers would offer continuation education for people who will actually use it. Apprenticeships would be more common.  More young people would work at a labor oriented job while continuing their education while more white collar work would be done by older people who recieved their education over more time.

No one would fund "these" schools though.  These schools wouldn't exist in the same size and quantity of 18-24 year olds with huge football budgets and spring breaks.  It would be very different.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: Pod99966 on January 19, 2011, 10:52:49 PM
I think anybody, liberty-minded or not, that would crucify you for working for the state is a fool.  You're one of the lucky people who is doing something for a living that you enjoy.  You're a police officer, you're an educator.  Ideally, being a freedom-minded individual, I'd like to sever all ties with government.  It's just not possible though, if you're a person who wants any quality of life. 

Hi Lindsey, I haven't said hi to you in forever it seems. And I wouldn't crucify anyone for taking advantage of the opportunities available to them. I don't even begrudge people on welfare (the ones that need it). I just think the system could be a whole lot different.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: bobbysan on January 20, 2011, 03:58:21 PM
According to our constitution, a state and the people living in it can do whatever they want that isn't specifically enumerated in the document as having been delegated to the federal government. Regardless of whether you recognize its authority or not, I would expect that you do recognize that power behind it. There is a difference between power and authority. In any event, if Mark and Ian don't like the laws of whatever state it is that you teach they can move to New Hampshire or something, and it's really none of their business what you do. If people like the entitlements that a particular state might steal from them and dole out to others, they are free to move there. As far as I'm concerned, it's the Federal government imposing it's will on the states where it has no recognized and delegated authority that's the problem. That's what makes it arbitrary law. Would it really matter if you lived in the freest state of China? The only difference being the temperament of the current local greater state regulator's willingness, at the risk of his own neck, to look the other way from transgressions from the transient dictates of the central planners.
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: Lindsey on January 21, 2011, 11:35:05 AM
I think anybody, liberty-minded or not, that would crucify you for working for the state is a fool.  You're one of the lucky people who is doing something for a living that you enjoy.  You're a police officer, you're an educator.  Ideally, being a freedom-minded individual, I'd like to sever all ties with government.  It's just not possible though, if you're a person who wants any quality of life. 

Hi Lindsey, I haven't said hi to you in forever it seems. And I wouldn't crucify anyone for taking advantage of the opportunities available to them. I don't even begrudge people on welfare (the ones that need it). I just think the system could be a whole lot different.

Hi Pod.  I do agree with you, it could be a whole lot different.  But it's not.  That's unfortunate. 
Title: Re: Outing myself
Post by: mikehz on January 22, 2011, 11:22:45 AM
I also work for a state university. I'd like it to be a private school, but it's not.

BTW, the federal government owns the airwaves. That does not stop FTL from broadcasting on them, though.