2008 Woodie Awards
Greek Life needs to find a candidate for director post
Editorial Board
Issue date: 7/9/08 Section: Opinions
It isn't easy to juggle the responsibility of school and an active participation in an extracurricular activity. We should know; we do it on a daily basis.
It really helps when you have someone to lean on, someone to guide you and to offer advice - hence the requirement of an adviser for student organizations.
This week marks a year since Greek Life had such a person. Gentry McCreary, the former Greek Life director, left on July 7, 2007 and Carrie Youell, the Greek Life coordinator, has been filling in ever since.
To be an organization without someone to help you through the battles of bureaucracy is a daunting task, especially if it's an organization as big as Greek Life.
Two failed search committees later; we are left wondering whether the position will ever be filled. Youell, who is serving as interim director, cannot continue to do both her job and her boss' job.
It isn't about whether she is doing a decent job or not. It's about not being able to carry the entire weight of the Greek system alone.
Carrie noted that during the second search, the job was offered but the candidate refused.
"I think it's kind of up in the air about what we are going to do," she added.
Hopefully the conundrum of "what to do" won't stay in midair too long because anybody in Youell's position is going to be having a crash flight if left afloat for an extended period of time.
In an attempt to attract more potential candidates, the university decided to up the ante and throw some more money into the pot. Unfortunately, more responsibility has been tacked on to the salary increase.
This isn't an extra incentive. The director will still be getting paid for the work that they do. There is no extra money involved, only the feel of a "more senior level position," said Bob Glenn, vice president for Student Affairs and vice provost of Enrollment Management.
But two searches have failed to produce adequate candidates who will take the post. So they can't have possibly found "senior level management" material.
And in the meantime, Greek Life is left without a permanent adviser to oversee their day-to-day shenanigans and to help Youell.
It really helps when you have someone to lean on, someone to guide you and to offer advice - hence the requirement of an adviser for student organizations.
This week marks a year since Greek Life had such a person. Gentry McCreary, the former Greek Life director, left on July 7, 2007 and Carrie Youell, the Greek Life coordinator, has been filling in ever since.
To be an organization without someone to help you through the battles of bureaucracy is a daunting task, especially if it's an organization as big as Greek Life.
Two failed search committees later; we are left wondering whether the position will ever be filled. Youell, who is serving as interim director, cannot continue to do both her job and her boss' job.
It isn't about whether she is doing a decent job or not. It's about not being able to carry the entire weight of the Greek system alone.
Carrie noted that during the second search, the job was offered but the candidate refused.
"I think it's kind of up in the air about what we are going to do," she added.
Hopefully the conundrum of "what to do" won't stay in midair too long because anybody in Youell's position is going to be having a crash flight if left afloat for an extended period of time.
In an attempt to attract more potential candidates, the university decided to up the ante and throw some more money into the pot. Unfortunately, more responsibility has been tacked on to the salary increase.
This isn't an extra incentive. The director will still be getting paid for the work that they do. There is no extra money involved, only the feel of a "more senior level position," said Bob Glenn, vice president for Student Affairs and vice provost of Enrollment Management.
But two searches have failed to produce adequate candidates who will take the post. So they can't have possibly found "senior level management" material.
And in the meantime, Greek Life is left without a permanent adviser to oversee their day-to-day shenanigans and to help Youell.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 12
cds3b
Chris Smith
posted 7/11/08 @ 11:12 PM CST
I agree that the need to hire a candidate is immense. I also believe that Ms. Youell is doing MORE than her job serving as the Interim Director of Greek Affairs and the Coordinator of Greek Affairs. (Continued…)
hell no
posted 7/12/08 @ 7:39 PM CST
I would bet they expect alot but aren't willing to pay for the kind of person they need. If they have applicants, why cant they select someone? WTF... (Continued…)
cowboy bob
posted 7/13/08 @ 12:37 PM CST
No, shenanigans sounds about right.
The greek system can't justify it's existence in any sort of legitimate way from an academic standpoint.
It's just a throwback to the largely obsolete tradition that allowed higher education to serve as the mechanism whereby priviledged classes held on to their wealth and power. (Continued…)
Edgard Izaguirre
posted 7/14/08 @ 2:36 AM CST
To start off, I agree that Greek Life has a need for a new Greek Life Director. I firmly do believe that Mrs. Carrie Youell has done a tremendous job supporting all Greek life and has gone above and beyond to make sure it flourishes in every manner possible as interim Greek Life Director and Greek Life Coordinator. (Continued…)
concerned alum
posted 7/15/08 @ 1:34 PM CST
I find it hard to believe that MTSU is taking a serious look at all candidates. I personally know one person who has applied, and is likely over qualified, but would like to give back to her Alma Mater. (Continued…)
Dusty Brown
posted 7/16/08 @ 2:00 AM CST
I have always heard (since mid-90's when I was a student and a Chi Omega at MTSU) that they will never hire someone who was a Greek member at MTSU for this position. (Continued…)
cowboy bob
posted 7/16/08 @ 1:27 PM CST
It's not an heirarchy of class, but somehow you are now a self-appointed "leader". Leader of what? Are you claiming that you hungover frat boys have some positive influence on purely academic (read: only legitimately relavant)aspects of MTSU?
Humility and compassion? Why did I see a shirt representing some low-life frat that said "if you didn't get one, we didn't want you". (Continued…)
Cowboy Bob is an Idiot
posted 7/17/08 @ 6:20 PM CST
Dear Cowboy Bob,
It appears that you are very adamant about the idea that Fraternity men and Sorority women are not smart. When in reality you can't even use proper English. (Continued…)
cowboy bob
posted 7/18/08 @ 5:55 PM CST
I'd say your idiotic rant reinforces my point nicely, thanks.
cowboy bob
posted 7/19/08 @ 12:29 PM CST
BTW, your sophomoric criticism of my language useage demonstrates that, while you may be beginning to grasp the fundamentals of the mechanics of grammar, you are clueless as to their purpose. (Continued…)
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