Meadville Lombard Theological School, where I took my M.Div., has announced “sweeping changes.” Less than two years after Meadville Lombard terminated full-time positions of professor of Unitarian Universalist history and professor of ethics, less than a year after the full-time professor of theology was reduced to half-time, Meadville Lombard announces that it will be hiring again:
After reading the declaration, [Meadville Lombard president Lee] Barker acknowledged that the sweeping changes outlined would require at least six months to develop a full plan and begin its implementation. Still, Barker noted that the Board was able to implement the first actions of the plan, including the creation of the position of Provost to head a new student services department that better meets the needs of Meadville’s student population, allowing these students to become the best academically and pastorally.
Barker said the Board’s commitment to this new position is demonstrated by a $50,000 donation from one of the Board members to be used to search for the right candidate for the position of Provost. [Link to the “Declaration”]
Interestingly, Harvard Divinity School has just added a fully-endowed chair in Unitarian Universalist studies. And Andover Newton Theological School has been increasing its academic commitment to Unitarian Universalist students. The new Provost at Meadville Lombard will, no doubt, be able to tell students how to take courses at Harvard and Andover Newton in order to get required coursework in Unitarian Universalist history, ethics, and theology.
I’m way past cynical.
From what I’ve been told, they made the sweeping announcement at a special meeting for which they charged the students admisssion. Granted, it was a concert of sorts and the admission was less than $20–but the decision to charge the students to come to an event where “an important announcement” would be made seems tacky at best.
It is good to know the current administration is making communication and student relations such a high priority.
As usual, if the institution isn’t living up to the mission statement, then change the mission statement.
Six months from now, there’ll be an annoucement that the provost has been reduced to half-time.
Viva groupthink!
Note from the administrator: Although I usually do not allow anonymous comments directed at individuals or institutions, I am publishing an edited version of this comment because I think there’s an important point here about sticking to an institution’s mission statement. (But, Disgruntled Student, I trust you will openly express your dissatisfactions under your own name after you graduate.)
We live in serious times. Ancient grievances, persistent injustice and new possibilities mix and mingle in dangerous and volatile ways. The ground on which we stand is shaking. In times like these it is critical that we raise up religious exemplars who are able to lead with the power and compassion necessary to heal this world.
The first para sounds loopy and it goes down hill after that for me. It’s one of those things I read and Ifigure thate is about 80% of the story buried underneath those sentences in a simpler prose… something like the charge for admission is…..
I was involved in that event Saturday, which was attended by maybe a hundred and twenty people. It was billed as a fundraiser, not a special meeting. It wasn’t “a concert of sorts,” it was a concert. Jeannie Gagne, backed by five other professional musicians, sang. After the concert, Meadville’s board made an announcement, which was followed by a reception.
You might like or dislike the content of the announcement, but don’t knock a performance you weren’t at.
Hiya Bill, haven’t heard from you in a while. You write: “I figure that is about 80% of the story buried underneath those sentences in a simpler prose.” My older sister teaches writing in the Indiana University system. From the stories she tells, I would say that university administrators are not known as good prose stylists.
Sallie Ellis — You write: “You might like or dislike the content of the announcement, but don’t knock a performance you weren’t at.” I assume that your comment was aimed at UU Jester’s comment above? –if you’re addressing another commenter, it’s helpful if you could address your comment to that person. To be honest with you, I hadn’t even picked up on the fact that the announcement was associated with a concert — I was working from a mass email message that Meadville Lombard sent out to alums. Even though twenty bucks is cheap for a fundraiser these days, I have to assume that they weren’t counting on poverty-stricken grad students to fill the hall, so who all was there?
You are correct on both counts: I was addressing UU Jester, and I should have made that clear. I also should have been more polite, and I apologize.
I’m not sure who everyone there was, but I know there were UUs from First Unitarian Society and Second Unitarian Church. I assume people from Third and Evanston were there too. I think it was also publicized in newspapers and local event calendars, so there may have been some members of the general public.
It ws a good show. Jeannie has a lot of presence, and all of the musicians sounded great. Jazz isn’t my thing, but I really liked it. That’s saying something.
Indeed. Administration speak would make Orwell blush. It’s not that administrators
can’t write clear prose, or speak it, but rather that they are fully aware and fully adept at
the employment of obfuscatory prose, prose which obviates efficient and early comprehension,
and thus effective and appropriate action.
Okay, I’ll translate that: if the minions don’t understand you, they can’t organize against you.
Yeah, buddy. Keep ’em confused and keep ’em in their place.
I find the whole thing to be ridiculous and I can’t wait for my husband to graduate.
Don’t even get me started on the school’s utter lack of communication skills.
geez,,, I read my prose in the earlier comment a feel bloggers (or this blogger) can’t take shots here. My only salvation is I write an the crack of dawn and for some reason Dan Harper’s comment section truncates the right side so I have no idea what th e right side of this paragraph will look like.