The Rules
[ Posted by Rebecca Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:59:13 GMT ]
One of the things you learn quickly when working for the state is that there is no lack of rules.
Rules abound!
New rules are made that supersede old rules but only in certain situations.
Whatever the case though, you have to follow the rules.
Now, anyone who knows me knows that I think some of the rules are stupid. I also think some of the rules are convoluted to the point that you can’t even understand their original purpose.
But I follow the rules. I have to. I just do. Because I am under authority, and I have to follow it.
So it really bothers me when I try to enforce the rules and they get undermined by someone else, someone who should be setting an example of honor in the academic community.
This happened today when a beloved prof gave his long-distance code to a student so that the student could send a personal fax.
Big no-no.
I was in the middle of explaining to the student that he could go to Kinko’s and pay out of pocket to send a personal fax (which is what he should have done), when his advisor interrupted and said he would give the student his code.
I said “You’re really not supposed to do that.”
To which the prof replied, “I know but sometimes it’s a pain.”
I felt like saying “Paying taxes is a pain to, but that doesn’t mean it’s right to just not do it.”
I kept silent, however. I knew it would just start an argument that I really didn’t want to have.
I know it’s a pain to have to walk down the street, or take a bus down the street and pay 50 cents to send a fax. HUGE FREAKING PAIN. So much of a pain that it’s an act worthy of laziness, theft and dishonesty.
I’m really not the moral police, but it just bugs me when things like this happen. Dishonesty is constantly reinforced around here. No wonder you can’t trust anybody these days.
Sigh.
