Ever since my tenure denial in April, I have begun to notice subtle changes in behavior among certain members of the faculty and administration. Most of these changes are evident in the attitudes and demeanors of my colleagues whenever I am around, but I doubt they are aware that I have noticed them.

It started with people acting sheepishly around me when they wanted to ask me something. Nobody ever approached me like I was some sort of rock star who didn’t want to be bothered before. It is happening frequently around campus now. The worst case of this occurred when the associate provost asked if I would still be responsible for planning the student research conference. The way they broached the subject was like they were intruding on my life. I have no problem doing the task. I enjoy it. I enjoy seeing and hearing about the work our students are doing in their upper-level courses. Yet, I have a member of the administration coming to me with their hat in their hand. I can tell they are not happy with my denial decision either, but I am not going to act all grumpy if you approach me.

A more significant change has occurred recently, as I am now receiving dismissals from events I used to be voluntold to participate in. During the summer, we have select weekends when incoming students visit campus and participate in a number of activities, including registering for classes. The provost excluded me from these events twice. I usually manage to get out of one of these events, but after this second dismissal, I’m starting to think they don’t trust me.

I understand that you might want to withdraw me from certain school functions slowly, but good gravy. I know this is my final year here, but I have no intention of besmirching the school in the presence of new students. I am professional (I laugh every time somebody invokes that word in arguments), for goodness’ sake. I have enough wherewithal not to say something downright awful in front of the student or their parents.

I am not too upset about not having to attend the functions anymore. It simply means I have a few more Saturdays available to me this summer. I just wish the people around here were more upfront about things rather than exhibiting this passive hostility.