Thoughts a bit later. Questions.

So I'm wondering (whoa, bigger print--ok) what this new job of mine really means, and what good can come of it. Obviously, I think some good can come of it or I wouldn't have signed on. Three things come to mind immediately: communication, visibility, opportunities. If I can somehow facilitate more and better conversations among those of us in the group of academic departments, that will be good, I think. If the conversation can be lively, stimulating, fun, then we'll do it and something good will come of it, if only life getting more interesting. But maybe some opportunities will come of it: teaching, social gatherings, events, symposia, creative work on display. Visibility.

What is it we do in the arts and humanities, and how do we make it more visible? Do we do contradictory things (Sam's different modes), is there an arts/humanities split of some kind? If there is, can we exploit that in a creative way? Is there any way to describe what we do, or the multiplicity of our "doings", in a way that makes us distinctive, both in the larger college community and in the LARGER community of colleges? Is there a way to boast and swagger about it, whatever it is?

What don't we have that keeps us from doing what we should/could be doing? What have we gotten so used to not having that we've forgotten to ask for it? What do we keep asking for without being heard? What opportunities are out there that we could take advantage of?

How do I help?

How does what we do differ from what other areas of the academic community do? How might it clash creatively with what else is going on? How do we (Sam's terms, again) sharpen the distinctions, throw them together, and turn it up? What synthesis might occur that holds the contradictions in play? How do we make the sparks fly?

Where are the students in all of this? Are they leading or following? Or are they somewhere else entirely?

Could I be the guy with some ideas but who mainly gathers other people's ideas, throws them together (the people and the ideas), makes something happen that sparks new ideas? And can I be the guy who finds out who is not being heard and does something about that?

Coming down to earth: The job description (such as it is at the moment) talks more about me being the guy who tries to keep all the classes in the fine arts and sciences from being held at the same time. Right. Among many other things.

This summer we--division chairs and other new quasi-administrative types, Paula, Carol--get together and try to sort some of these things out. I sure hope I hear from folks within the division on some of this stuff. Hint.