Well, sort of. Our uber-nasty heat wave finally broke late last week, so even though we’re back into the 90’s for our highs, it feels positively autumnal.
More than that, though, was today’s sure sign that fall is on the way: faculty officially reported back to campus and we had our annual campus-wide meeting this morning. Not the most scintillating three hours I’ve ever spent, but at least I’m now done. The faculty have to go back for more tomorrow.
Most interesting moment: When the president announced that he will start working toward longevity pay for staff. Faculty already receive this, as do most other state employees, so I think it’ll be good for staff morale for this to happen.
Most accurate comment by an audience member: In response to the president’s opening question “What would a convocation be without a PowerPoint presentation,” one of my neighbors muttered “pleasant.”
Least accurate comment by the president: That the $20 million in grants awarded to the university outstrips the funding we receive from the state. According to OpenBooks, our state appropriations totaled just over $20 million for 2008.
Best idea not implemented: One of the faculty in my row remarked that we all should have brought our laptops and played a game or two of Wordscraper.
Funniest moment: The one and only thing that received truly spontaneous and heart-felt applause was the announcement that an anonymous donation would pay for all new bleachers in the football stadium.
