Frustration

I just slipped away from our all college meeting. I had all the fun I could take.

As you know, finances are a little tight and the States are required to balance the budget. In order to do that this year, the university is discussing an 8-15 day furlough... 8-15 days of unpaid leave between now and June. Now eight days equals nearly half of my monthly take home pay. I'm a state employee... I probably just broke the 30K mark this year. I can't pay my bills and eat without that money. They are trying to be fair by asking faculty to take 15 days and staff to take 8. Of course the difference between our salaries is a whole lot more than that but they likely have even more bills than I do. Still.... Then the faculty started arguing about why we can't pare down our graduation ceremony, we need to have this grandiose party which of course costs a load of money. I don't get it, what part of financial straits don't they understand?

Oh and the furlough is just under discussion right now. No decisions have been made...although given the rate of decision making around here they will probably make a decision about May and we'll be forced to eat the whole thing in one month. My cats and I might be come really well acquainted with the car in that case. *deep breath* I can't worry about this yet, it hasn't occurred. I can see what contingencies I can get into place but no panicking yet.