Editors note: In late spring 2009, as the scale of North Carolina’s budget crisis became evident and the budget cuts at universities within the UNC system began to take effect, tension on Western Carolina University’s campus ran high. Jobs were being lost and departments changed. Late in the semester, at a faculty dinner, some administrators performed a skit that was video-recorded and circulated. Its contents were considered offensive by some, there was a certain level of outrage, and investigations were eventually initiated (they’re ongoing, we assume). We wrote about the skit here.
Our columnist is a faculty member who asked to remain anonymous.
CULLOWHEE–Getting fired sucks. Everybody knows it—even WCU’s Provost and his minions. This year the provost’s office has borne the brunt of the paperwork and abuse as Western has trimmed down to meet state budget shortfalls. Because universities are semi-functional hierarchies, many of the toughest decisions come down via Academic Affairs and the provost. Trouble is, sometimes the paperwork and abuse gets left on the wrong desk.
A very tiny group of Western employees, possibly a few who lost their jobs because of cutbacks, made some big noise over a skit the Faculty Center performed in April. This skit involved several high-level administrators, and though it wasn’t funny, it was harmless.
Those offended by the skit may be missing some fundamental knowledge of context here. (This, by the way, is why some folks lose out during budget crises; they lack the institutional memory and/or professional stamina to truly understand what is happening at their school. In other words, they don’t know much about their jobs, which is, occasionally, why they lose them. But I digress).
Here’s a little background:
• The skit was performed at the annual Faculty Appreciation Dinner, a voluntary event. The dinner is off the clock and neither an official meeting, nor connected to Academic Affairs. Neither is it a political event or a “schmooze-fest.” It’s just a free meal with a cheesy skit attached. Attendees are invited openly and RSVP on their own. This was no captive audience.
• In the skit, administrators dress up and pretend to take on new roles to meet budget constraints. None of these, which include duties like “morale busting,” are actually being cut. That’s because they are not real jobs. See, that’s the joke.
• The players announce, before and after the skit, that they hope their comedic efforts help us feel better about the economy. They announce that they support the faculty, they acknowledge times are hard. They do not joke about anyone getting fired.
• Virtually all the participants in the skit have felt cuts rather deeply in their own offices/divisions. Most have lost considerable sleep and hair this year looking for ways to save jobs, not get rid of them.
• At one point, a female administrator comes out dressed as a hag with a grey clown wig and balloon boobs. She calls herself a “sexy-tary.” It’s pretty stupid, and perhaps a tad misogynistic. But such a silly moment hardly constitutes a systemic disregard for female staff. This was a faculty dinner, so perhaps the intent was to poke fun at secretaries versus faculty, a rivalry as old as universities themselves.
• Someone important sent a campus-wide email with a link to video of the skit. Bad move. Even though it’s always satisfying to watch deans act like buffoons, this year’s skit ridiculed something none of us wanted to be reminded of. But the email is the only insensitive thing about the entire episode; the live audience knew what they were in for. The jokes themselves were tame, and the video was quickly taken down.
• Lastly and most importantly, there are indeed people at Western who want to cut jobs and classes. But those people had nothing to do with this skit. And they’re still on the loose. For the vast majority of us, this very real enemy is a much, much bigger concern.
• Only a few found malice in the skit, but the response to it has been unquestionably, universally hurtful. A “concerned” employee posted it on an external website, and anonymous letters were sent to journalists and Erskine Bowles, clearly intended to take down the men and women upstairs. This kind of friction is incredibly counterproductive.
• Moreover, the damage done is worse than any mild offense the skit caused. The unfocused, false righteousness in these complaints caused infighting and investigation of several good people who are on OUR side. As we face even more cuts next year, these same administrators will find their hands tied as they try to build trust and preserve our salaries and resources.
If you found the skit offensive, ask yourself this: As we endeavor to educate our students and stand together in tough times, who exactly does your outrage help?
