Chain of Command...

I always take issue with a supervisor that can't seem to separate his personal feelings from his professional responsibilities. People in general but managers in particular need to understand that everything is not about them. Sometimes, no one cares how you feel about this personally. It's just business.

One of my RAs had a great idea for a program he wanted to host on campus. It being April he thought it would be nice to invite some women in the entertainment industry (he's a Public Relations major) and have them talk to the student body about career options for women, how they got to where they are, etc. He teamed up with a student organization and did everything he was supposed to do in order to make this happen.

It just so happens that in addition to being a Community Director, I am also the advisor for the student organization he partnered with. But instead of using the name of the organization he put down the name of my dorm, which means that it has to be signed off by my supervisor. I brought this to him, trying to play up all the work the RA is doing to make this a success, and he takes it personally that no one asked him before today. He feels that the RA backdoored him by going directly to the Vice-Provost office and THEN coming to him. I explained that he was working with a student organization and that it was never intended to be a Residence Life affair. He still feels slighted, as though the sheer fact that there's an RA putting on a campus program automatically means that he needed to be consulted.

Again I say, the only reason that Residence Life's name is attached is because I am both a Director AND the advisor for the student organization, and that the Vice-Provost's office knows who I am. It was their decision, not mine and not the RAs. Supervisor decides to sit on the contracts I brought him to approve because he wasn't sure about liability issues, even after I told him that they were already reviewed and approved by the Chief of Staff of the Vice-Provost's office, who by the way is an exceptionally trained lawyer. I also looked them over. While I am not an exceptionally trained attorney, I am a fair-to-middling law school graduate. I like to think that I can handle the basics. Contracts still sat on. Official reason given: the department is already sponsoring a program on Thursday, and there's no need to overextend anyone. Oh. Okay. Because somehow a Caribbean themed party in the gym at night will conflict with a panel discussion on women in entertainment hosted in the afternoon.

The program is supposed to happen this Thursday. I was given the information a little late, but there was (and is) still time to make it happen. I just happen to believe that the only reason he didn't give his approval was: his personal feelings about the RA, and his feelings about being "bypassed" as the RA and those he was working with went directly to the Vice-Provost's office. Pah.

When a student organization wants to host this kind of event, they fill out the paperwork, have their advisor sign off on it, and submit it to the VP's office. Because the RA was working with a student organization and it was not meant to be a Residence Life function, he followed their protocol to get it done. There was actually no need to consult with my supervisor until the VP's Office decided to list it under the name of my department instead of the name of my student organization. That's what sup didn't seem to understand. I also may not have explained it well. I'm willing to accept that possibility. However I still feel pretty strongly that his pride got in the way, and that kind of pride never got anyone anywhere.

Legal Note: Opinions in this post are my own and not representative of the university I work for or the people I work under. All suppositions, presumptions, theories, hypotheses, etc. are my own. This blog is for entertainment purposes only, blah blah blah. There are purposely no names included in this post, and I have revealed nothing that violates either general expectations of privacy or the University confidentiality agreement, which, actually... I never signed anyway. All of that is to say...don't be trying to sue me.

When It Rains, It Pours...

Of all the times to have to deal with one of the most serious matters a Community Director can deal with, mine came on April Fools' Day. A resident came to me, obviously bothered by something. He informed me that in February he should have received a letter from his mother containing a money order for a couple hundred dollars. When he never received it he had her report it missing and track it down. The money order had indeed been cashed. Unfortunately the name on the money order was that of one of my employees.

Of course, University and Metropolitan Police were called in to pursue the matter. Because it was an on-campus affair involving only students, the Metropolitan officer left and told our officer to lead the matter. The employee of course denies everything, but the resident has a photocopy of the cashed money order with both his name and what appears to be his signature.

This is one of those times when I hate doing the things that I sometimes have to do. My hands are tied on this one and I have to let the investigation run its course. And of course there are two investigations. One by the University to determine what happens to the student on an academic level, and one by the United States Postal Police concerning unauthorized mail opening and the cashing of a government issued monetary instrument.

I like the employee. I've known him for almost two years. He has been a good worker and a resident that I've always thought would do well. Because of the distance I TRY to maintain as a Community Director, I wouldn't say that we are friends, but probably as close as I would come to being friends with a resident. I've talked to him. He's a very likable person and I've never had problems with him before. He volunteers his time. He helps out when I ask him too and he spends a lot of time in service to others.

I've already had to temporarily relieve him of his front desk duties and warn him that he will be facing an investigation. Tomorrow I have to find him a new place to live and see what's next. He could be expelled over $400, and I would have to assist in the process. No matter how it goes, it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth...

Legal Note: Opinions in this post are my own and not representative of the university I work for or the people I work under. All suppositions, presumptions, theories, hypotheses, etc. are my own. This blog is for entertainment purposes only, blah blah blah. There are purposely no names included in this post, and I have revealed nothing that violates either general expectations of privacy or the University confidentiality agreement, which, actually... I never signed anyway. All of that is to say...don't be trying to sue me.