LatiNegra Sexologist

hamburgerjack:

Negatives:

She’s already defended the use of the text we used as she says she finds it “accessible”

She says my concerns are “duly” noted. This is code for, we’re sick of hearing about this/we’re sick of hearing from you.

Positives:

I meet with her tomorrow

That’s it

The wrongness of the text is trumped by its accessibility?! Duly NOTED?????

not sure what text is being discussed but some things that come to mind as a professor and someone who has talked w/a dean when i was not a professor:

1. they think they are being gracious w/their time meeting you. even if you don’t think so, and it’s def part of their job, they dont’ see it like that. it may be helpful to start the convo by thanking them for their time.

2. they don’t see themselves as people, they see themselves as leadership in higher ed, a business folk and your “superior”. they don’t see you as potential peers they see you as only a student. this is why they may speak to you in certain ways and reminding them they too are people just like you may backfire! (unfortunately, this has been true for my experiences at 4 out of 5 schools i’ve been at).

3. decide what you want to have happen/an outcome that you would be comfortable with. i.e.: no longer using the text? making the text recommended vs. required? etc. then make sure your request is realistic (i.e. the required vs. rec may be more realistic). Also think outside the box such as: a event on campus to discuss the text that is STUDENT led and get the dept to purchase refreshments and secure a room, a mini-1 day conf where folks present their own writing about the problems w/the text, etc.

4. if you desire the text to be replaced and NOT used, suggest some texts and be ready to share that list w/the dean. this may be part of what you think their job is (and that’s what I’d argue!), but it will show them that you have initiative, you are not just “throwing a tantrum” (again the prob see you as not a peer so a student and may be condescending) about a text, and that you are serious about change. you can also ask things like “what can i expect you to do about this topic?” and “when may we schedule a follow-up conversation with one another?” or something of the like.

remember you are doing what you believe is right and just and no matter what their response to you is you are standing by your convictions and that is something to take pride in!

LatiNegra Sexologist

I meet with the Dean tomorrow