Piggybacking the rising popularity of American reality television, PBA has released for purchase the first season of the popular campus television series, 'Last Admission Staff Standing.'
The show details the lives of nine staff members in the PBA admissions department, specifically their fight for survival and for their jobs.
The contestants for this season were: Cathy Dekodak, Gem Hennigan, Doe James, Shaft Bryan, Lonnie Justiceson, Regina Madison, Will Oldman, James Skooltz, and Staff Sullivan.
Unlike most reality shows however, 'LASS' does not feature any immunity whatsoever for those who perform well in daily tasks and competitions.
"We wanted the show to be all about surprise," said Margaret Argyle, the host and creator of 'LASS.' "No one knowing who will be next, it just feeds the lack of job security."
"I totally won the paper clip harpoon competition," said Doe James, who survived for a whole week consuming only rubber bands.
James was the first to be eliminated followed by his assistant, Cathy Dekodak.
Drama heightened when a scuffle between Will Oldman and James Skooltz, over who used seventeen freshman faith interviews to start a fire, sent Oldman packing. Fans of Oldman wore pastel colored pants and ties around campus for an entire week after he was voted out. His coat rack was auctioned off for three financial aid award letters and a course cap override to fellow employee Gem Hennigan.
"I don't even wear a coat," said Hennigan, who later voted herself out of the competition.
The show took on increasing popularity as contestants grew more and more excited to see who would be next.
"Sometimes the thrill of it all kept me up at night," said Skooltz. "Anticipating the reality that I might wake up without a job. It was exhilarating."
International Admission Counselor Regina Madison was eliminated after bringing in far too many international students. Counselor Shaft Bryan departed in search of 70's Hollywood glory and Skooltz was voted out for just being too gosh darn efficient.
The show concluded with the climactic elimination of Lonnie Justiceson and Staff Sullivan, two esteemed members of the 'LASS' cast.
"We thought about declaring a winner, but decided just to eliminate the entire cast," snickered Argyle. "Justiceson and Sullivan just had way too much experience and besides, they were both alumni."
This came as a surprise to many, especially student Esther Teeney, who lost $25 in a Baxter betting pool.
With plans to begin filming a second season, fans can expect to experience laughter, tears, and an entirely white cast. Until then, the nine former contestants will be sorely missed.
86 comments:
Corny and stupid...what happened Bacon? You used to be really good
This sounds like something that belongs on the Beacon. Maybe the first year was just a fluke :/
This is actually a halfway decent slap in the face. Good Job bacon. Keep writing stuff like this. It's not just admissions. Check out other departments like communication and you'll see people disappearing. The Bermuda Triangle must be sucking up PBA faculty and staff. Either that or the administration needed newer shinier puppets because they got tired of manipulating the ones they had.
Wow...pure gold, Bacon. The fact that almost the entire admissions department mysteriously disappeared into thin air over the summer would never be mentioned in The Beacon. Thank you for bringing the injustice to light.
I hear there's also plans to create a Christian-movie spinoff of LASS called Left Behind... Kirk Cameron has been signed to play one of the admissions councilors
Now THAT'S what I call satire.
Wow Bacon, what a piece of gold.
Clever, well researched, topical, funny. The golden combination.
I can see why the first commenter didn't like it. To understand the brilliance of this piece you would have to know the back story...Which you would, if the Beacon could write about it.
Jon Stewart's show wouldn't be very funny if the populace didn't know the news. In PBA's case, they don't have much of a choice.
Keep this stuff coming, Bacon. These are the stories that, although some on the outside might not understand, make a deep impact where it matters.
Not enough students recruited, no tuition, no faculty, no university...get it dummy?
not enough students. no neatly packaged faith statement knock-off liberty university in south florida. plus we need to push more admissions packs to stack up dollars atop the sales of two dormitories so we can build a really sweet pbau MEGA-PLEX b/c those are so sweet don't you know. dorms and offices and classrooms all in one building so you never have to go outside in wpb because that would suck. get it dummy. holy crap did i just say dummy, it took me back a few, like i was a character in the wonder years.
To the previous anonymous: if you think that it is that simple then you are definitly out of the loop.
i have to agree with rolly fingers...this article hits the nail on the head! hilarious!
Odd that all the counselors are leaving, but honestly, the alumni boys club needed to move on. I mean, maybe they needed an excuse to be on intramurals, but someday, people gotta move out of the glory days. To be honest, I remember a bacon article suggesting the need for improved admissionsn staff, so hopefully, the change will be an improvement. Unfortunately, there wont be as many beaten internet game high scores .
"To be honest, I remember a bacon article suggesting the need for improved admissionsn staff, so hopefully, the change will be an improvement."
Um, refresh my memory, was there actually a bacon article to that effect and if so which one? And the people who left willingly or unwillingly were great at their jobs from what I've seen. When I came to PBA I never had as much interaction and help from my admissions counselor as the new freshman have had with that group.
(BTW, admissions and PBA Central/Sailfish Services are two completely different things.)
So sailfish services is the new fancy name? You are right, I have been out of the loop for a while. I must admit, there are admissions counselors who are doing a spectacular job, but on the flip side, estimates say that it takes 1 grand to recruit one student. Maybe its the little bag of sand that is sent. Regardless, I know several people who have had piss poor experiences with applying to PBA. Why should staff get excellent job security when the proffs dont? Are we a school seeking large numbers? Or do we seek to give a quality education?
Seeking large numbers.
"Regardless, I know several people who have had piss poor experiences with applying to PBA"
Well they are definitely in the minority.
Retaining students when the professors you plug in your description of PBA aren't there when the students get to check-in is difficult.
Picking up the slack left by crucial vacant positions is difficult.
Working under a regime is difficult.
Watching your beloved university die is difficult.
Hahaha...”Good job Scoob”
I am sure you can really appreciate the situation while waking up at the crack of 10:00am for your overbearing schedule of intro to College Algebra, Scuba, Lifetime Fitness, and Ceramics...wait...that would involve you actually getting on Web Reg in a timely manner, and we all know you’re not that savvy so finish off the Semester with Digital Photography. But I am sure you’re right with your deft commentary and insight while Facebook stalking till 3am.
Bravo on the work Bacon. Keep it up, it is good to know there are people on the inside who actually keep the truth revealed. And don’t worry about kibitzers like Scoobie & the peanut gallery...their defense is diaphanous.
There have been two previous articles about admissions from my memory. One was about a cure for cancer being lost or "in process" at admissions. One of the Bacon's best ever. The other was about people at admissions playing computer games all day (that's when the Bacon was great!)
And seriously, if you think that doe james was doing a good job over there, you need to get a clue.
First of all, people should not comment when they have no idea what they are talking about. It makes you look extremely ignorant, especially if you aren't even aware of the differences in departments.
Also, doesn't it seem funny that the entire admissions department has been cleared out? I find it hard to believe that they were all slackers, and not doing their jobs. They actually have certain criteria and numbers to meet... and according to most of their performances (meeting numbers etc.) firing most of them could not be justified. Actually, the university has seen nothing but growth in numbers since the former director was put into place... that is his job, to bring students in, and clearly he was doing it.
Therefore, please do not discredit these hardworking individuals, as I know ALL of them, and i know that they have put their lives into these students and this university. Sure, they might like to play intramurals, they like to have fun too... also, this is part of the time they spend forming realtions with the student body. After all, they have been told PBA is supposed to be a community, and a family. What kind of family puts you out in this manner? Also, just in-case you are unaware, most of the younger staff/faculty at other universities participate in intramurals too... they actually encourage it, as it is an event that facilitates a community.
And whoever has anything to say about check-in is grossly mistaken. All that is neccessary for you to avoid that process is to complete all of the documents, and you can even do that online. If you can't finish paperwork that's your fault, and you deserve to wait hours in a line. That is life people.
It's just sad when power-filled, hypocritical unversity administrators do not stand behind the foundation the university was built upon. At the end of the day, the admissions staff are all great people, and they will move on to far bigger and better things than PBA has to offer. On the other hand, those who are commiting wrongs will face the ultimate judgement when the time comes.
There have been two previous articles about admissions from my memory. One was about a cure for cancer being lost or "in process" at admissions. One of the Bacon's best ever. The other was about people at admissions playing computer games all day (that's when the Bacon was great!)
Hey anonymous, your memory serves you incorrectly. It was not admissions, but financial aid (two seperate departments!!!) where the cure for cancer (documents) were lost or in process. Also, you are crazy if you think the admissions staff is sitting there playing games. I think once again you are referring to another department (sailfish or enrollment services)! Just because they share a building doesn't mean they are the same department. Just thought I would provide some needed clarification since your memory is clearly fuzzy.
The Bacon article on Monday, March 12, 2007 has a quote, "There is no reason for alarm, this is just normal procedure," said PBA Central Director Mark James. "It must still be in processing. If you just wait a few more days, I'm sure it will turn up. Are you sure you turned it in here?"
Clearly the Bacon is attributing the loss of information to the former emplyee at Admissions, even if it was two seperate departments. I couldn't find the other article in question.
Newsflash brought to you by Common Sense: The Bacon can write about any department it wants and in as many different ways as it pleases.
What this article comes down to, however, is that the admissions team suddenly disappeared over the summer in what I'd like to refer to as "Dr. Searle's Summer Cleaning Service". She swept up and swept out a handful of awesome people who most definitely did do their jobs, and did them well...they just represented the "old PBA". The PBA that truly was attempting to be a community/family and who cared about the university and what it was created to be. I guess the "bad apples" that had these PBA morals close to their hearts seemed just too bitter a taste in the mouth of the Beast.
Newsflash to Mary
By representing "old PBA" they were hanging on to outdated practices and lived without accountability. PBA has brought in a ton of consultants for that area and all of them say the same thing, "it's got to change."
So I ask you, who should PBA listen to? Students who have a limited view and opinion of admissions, a bitter online newspaper, or experts who know what it takes to have a successful admissions department?
By the way, do you really believe, and I mean really believe, that Dr. Clark and Dr. Searle don't care about a family atmosphere, God or the students? Seriously, do you really believe that?
Anonymous,
A need for change does not mean "fire an entire staff". I'm not saying that people shouldn't get fired if they aren't doing their job well. On the contrary, they should. However, I do disagree with the fact the way in which the staff was let go.
They were fired under the pretense that they "weren't team players", "didn't seem to enjoy their jobs", or that their positions were being dissolved. Concerning the so-called "dissolved positions", new employees were immediately hired after the old staff was obliterated...the new workers under new titles but with the same job descriptions.
Let's not pretend that all the departments on campus are working efficiently except for admissions that had to be fired and re-hired in order to do a good job.
PBA employees are constantly going to meetings and retreats with the intention of improving their work efficiency. The fact that nearly everyone in admissions was simply fired during the summer under the guise of several different excuses seems a little bit sketchy to me.
As to your question about whether or not I truly believe that Dr. Clark and Dr. Searle "don't care about a family atmosphere, God or the students"...well I never said or implied the latter two. I'm sure Dr. Clark and Dr. Searle care about God and the students...I just can't help but notice they seem to care about the trustees and board members a little bit more than the students.
Maybe I'm just cynical, but when good workers start disappearing,student government gets bullied, and a whole host of other changes start occurring on campus...over time I can't help but start to think that some peoples' hearts are no longer in the right place and that the current administration is doing more harm than good.
To the most recent anonymous. Once again I have to correct people who aren't in the loop with admissions.
1. "Old PBA" means PBA before Dr. Clark came and brought the attitude that "The students are here because of the administration" rather than the founding principle that "The administration is here because of the students"(have lunch with Dr. Jess Moody, he'll say that without even being asked his thoughts on the subject).
2. I have read the report that the consultants made. It has nothing to do with admissions counselors that want PBA to be "old PBA". Admissions only had minor change suggestions, it was PBA Central, now Sailfish Services, that was told to make major changes.
3. I think PBA should listen to its students, the ones who are paying to be here. That is the principle that PBA was founded on.
4. When you are on the inside you learn that while Dr. Clark and Searle may care about students, Dr. Clark's number one concern is keeping donors happy, bottom line.
Spot on, admissions employee.
I'm sorry to those who have the wool pulled over their eyes. Even with this wonderful (but unfortunate) article and commentary, many will roam our sidewalks thinking all is well...
How can we change the world if we ignore the injustice around us? Live what is right, not what is easy.
It is clear that many are misinformed, be it students or other administrative members, the admission staff did an awesome job and were continuously open to new ideas and did a great job of making those "new" ideas not just thoughts on paper but reality. If not explain the significant growth of our very own student population.
The clearing out of the office, if felt to be a form of getting rid of the old to bring new ideas could be one justified had they been able to present valid justification! Dishonesty most definitely played a role in this scenario! For those of you as student and staff, you probably could never and would never understand the politically-incorrect structure and decision making of hierarchy @ PBA until being a part of it and seeing the un-Christian-like decisions made behind closed doors vs. what they would like you to believe...campus wide.
Does Searle and others in her entourage actually care about the overall atmosphere, questionable... when decisions are made just to fancy her biased opinions, dare the man/woman that detests...spring/summer/fall cleaning comes in full effect... but all will continue to be oblivious to the nature of the beast until personally meeting her evil alter ego.
Whether you have "the wool pulled over your eyes", have been "misinformed", or "out of the loop", or have no idea what you are talking about. The point is, one guy has got it right.
but seriously, let's be honest, it's not that weird that an entire staff is replaced. AND, its true. Surveyors who come to the school for a day when we parade our little "write for yourself, think for other" banners, and have a weekend dedicated to being sure we keep our accredidation; THEY know what our school needs. The "misinformed" students who are there daily, who want an institution with a good name. We really don't know anything, especially what is good for us.
An alter ego is a good way to put it. Being two-faced is another.
"it's not that weird that an entire staff is replaced", what are we the Miami Dolphins? It would be one thing if PBA was declining in enrollment, but the exact opposite is true, bringing in more students then ever.
Also, I'm confused as to why PBA waited until all the enrollment and admissions counseling work for 08-09 was done, before they got rid of Staff Sullivan and Lonnie Justiceson. If they were doing an inadequate job, why wait?
Does PBA wonder why alumni giving is so poor? Maybe it has something to do with how these alumni have been treated.
we should ask Jamie Zoolander and Dick Guss how they managed to survive the cleaning. maybe there is a secret formula they possess? they were PBA students too and here as long as the others who were swept aside. interesting....
there's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold
This bacon is the first one that I have genuinely enjoyed, great job, good stuff. The all white cast was hilarious.....and pretty much true
I am a PBA employee and I question on a daily basis how the administration can claim to know the same God that I know and behave in the manner in which they behave. I also know each person who was "eliminated" personally and each one had exceptional numbers and reviews. I have witnessed the degree to which they all poured their energy and lives in to the students they recruited. Each situation was equally unjust and dealt with in deceptive and, frankly, disgusting manner.
FYI: None of the previous Bacon articles were in reference to poor performace on the part of Admissions (it was about PBA Central/Sailfish Services which is a seperate department but at the time of the article both were considered a part of Enrollment Services which no longer exists).
Do a little digging on what really happened. Enrollment recruiters are really sales persons. That is why they use Gold Mine which is a sales softward program. No matter what has been said by former employees here, none who left made their enrollment goals this past year. Turnover is what happens in sales positions when goals are not reached. This missing of goals has happened for years in some areas. In most universities they would have been gone the first year they missed their goals. Among other issues calls were not returned to prospective students, voicemail boxes were full much of the time, mail was not sent out for weeks instead of 48 hours, documents were lost repeatedly, no live operators were on the phones etc. etc. Yes and some were seen watching movies with the phones turned off. No self respecting institution can allow this kind "stuff" to go on. It shows poor respect for the students, faculty and staff to allow this kind of thing for years. At least now someone answers the telephone when you call PBA.
SEE BELOW>>>
"Do a little digging on what really happened. Enrollment recruiters are really sales persons. That is why they use Gold Mine which is a sales softward program. No matter what has been said by former employees here, none who left made their enrollment goals this past year. Turnover is what happens in sales positions when goals are not reached. This missing of goals has happened for years in some areas. In most universities they would have been gone the first year they missed their goals. Among other issues calls were not returned to prospective students, voicemail boxes were full much of the time, mail was not sent out for weeks instead of 48 hours, documents were lost repeatedly, no live operators were on the phones etc. etc. Yes and some were seen watching movies with the phones turned off. No self respecting institution can allow this kind "stuff" to go on. It shows poor respect for the students, faculty and staff to allow this kind of thing for years. At least now someone answers the telephone when you call PBA"
WE ALL HAVE A OBLIGATION TO TRUTH...the above account is more of the same spin that I have been hearing as an employee since Doe left...it simply is not true. Sure, isolated rare occurrence may support these claims(not enough to support the actions in question)...but otherwise the above statement is false and just another "spin" to justify the administration's agenda = Wash out the old and those connceted to Doe...it's just a power game.
Let us keep an eye on the admission office and see what happens in 2009...when there is nobody else to fire.
This makes me want to quit!
Great job Bacon!
"WE ALL HAVE A OBLIGATION TO TRUTH...the above account is more of the same spin that I have been hearing as an employee since Doe left...it simply is not true. "
I guess we're all just going to belive what we want to believe, no matter what truth may confront us. The fact is, we're at least 50 students short of what we were expected to bring in. Therefore, everyone who says we keep hitting record numbers should just face the facts, even if they blindly deny them.
This was a fun piece written in true Bacon form.
Thank you Bacon for your creativity and humor.
Best wishes to next season's cast :)
it's all in the past...
Check your PBA e-mail. It looks like the gestapo is building lists. They want the names of "high school or community college students, pastors, high school teachers, and high school guidance counselors who are in your “sphere of influence.” " They also want a list of "pastors, teachers, and guidance counselors." I guess this is for the eventual round up and extermination of all sources of power other than Student Development.
The e-mail then goes on to spew propaganda about how wonderful the new admissions department is.
Jim, Jimmy, Jon said...
"Therefore, everyone who says we keep hitting record numbers should just face the facts, even if they blindly deny them."
Whether or not we are 'at least 50 students short' has no bearing on anything being discussed here and only speaks to certain individual's greedy goals. There are three facts to keep in mind.
1.) There are most definitely more students here than in years past, one who discourses for an incoherent paragraph on truth should be able to recognize that fact.
2.) The former admissions employees, by testimony of their own friends, did a good job and were committed to the betterment of PBA, which leads me to my last point.
3.) Human beings have a free will; and though ones decision to come to PBA may be assisted by admissions councilors, there are a thousand deciding factors on why or why not to go on a certain life path, and the final one is a person's free will.
Try to think before you type, you'll avoid future instances of public humiliation.
Later,
KW
Oh, and BTW, the above quoted statement is at odds with itself.
Later,
KW
in reference to the comment a few back about it being a "sales position" and if you are short of your goals you should be expected to be fired...." it is thinking like that that is sad. if being an admissions counselor at PBA is really just a "sales position about making goals" is that really what we are looking for? from what i've heard it is supposed to be more than that...isn't that what PBA markets? to be more personal, connect to students, you're not just a number!? i think if you took that point of view to the admissions team and asked them if that is their job description you would get a rude awakening that you are GAVELY mistaken.
NOT TO MENTION, even if that is now the view of the powers that be...and that is in fact the REAL REASON for the firings, lets just see what happens after this year if we don't reach the goals. are they going to fire all admissions counselors who don't make numbers for this year? if not...then what is your story.
P.S. i find it hard to believe that voice mails were never being returned as they even have a PBA supplied cell phone...its pretty much impossible NOT to be able to get in touch with your counselor one way or another. and if having a full inbox was criteria for firing...we'd have a lot more vacant positions. wise up.
note: do you who say staff were fired b/c of numbers know what the numbers were for those who ARE still here? yeah...interesting that not all who remain made their numbers. now what is your argument?
To KW:
Do some research before you call me out dude. Count up the number of PBA students this year compared to last year and tell me if we have more. I was trying to give some proof which showed that we're not hitting record numbers which everyone seems to think we are, and you just keep ignoring the facts, we didn't grow this year.
Being 50 short had a direct bearing on this discussion because it refutes the posts that say we're hitting record numbers (those that call this greed, the goal for this year was to get as many as we got last year).
Before you call me an idiot for expressing my opinion and try to lecture me about logic, why don't you start with taking your own advice.
Anyone else find the Bacon hypocritical by locking the comment bar on the Goodman articles last year because of attacking the man, but leaving the comments open when people take cheap shots at the former admissions staff as well as Dr. Clark and Dr. Searle?
For people worried about numbers...keep in mind that this year incoming students face an economic issue of whether or not they can afford to go to school. PBA is expensive to begin with, whether or not you have financial aid opportunities. Add to that the current economy and you get less students going to an expensive private school.
The fact that NO ONE made their projections for this year yet two counselors are still there brings to question if numbers were part of these firings at all, doesn't it?
classic
If you have solid proof on the admission stats for this year, then you have to be one of the three or four people who can run access numbers.
That means you're either new staff in DataSailfishServiceCentral
(thus a promoted for no reason wife of someone in the regime) or you're part of the beast itself.
Other institutions' admission counselors make 50 phone calls a week tops. PBA's made 50 a day.
No joke, PBA counselors have no alumni for referrals and assistance. They have no faculty to tell students about for fear they might leave. They have no friends in their own office because they've all been pushed out.
You cannot defend this administration.
You cannot continue to scream "you wish you were a fish," and shoot a fake smile at the portly members of the axis of evil at the same time.
It's time for this administration to leave.
I don't know if we need to pursue this like Anonymous does with The Church of Scientology, but we need to do something.
SAVE PBA
PBA is expensive, isn't it?
Nice One bacon!
funny how the bacon criticizers find it necessary to continue reading and commenting......
Adding to the economic crisis and students questioning if they can afford to attend college... PBA raised tuition AGAIN this year. I guess Clark's "compensation" package grew. We are already paying for repairs/improvements to his house what next? Are we picking up his tab for rounds of golf or his suits? Maybe his wonderfully overpriced consultants can tell him where to trim the fat AND improve morale. I doubt it though. They'll just suck up to him the way everyone else does, telling him only what he wants to hear because they know if they speak the truth, they'll be fired.
Tim,
To parody pop culture.
PBA is dead. Long live PBA. Click Click BANG! - 5 meal swipes if you tell me what movie.
dances with wolves.
I'll take my meal swipe please
The line before that is:
"Sir Knight! I have just pissed in my pants, and there's nothing anybody can do about it."
To former fire fighter Tim:
Believe it or not, stats are easily accessible. You can walk into the back of admissions and see each counselor's progress on a bulletin board.
Just so everyone knows, and this is not a rumor, PBA has a policy to raise tuition every year.
Just so everyone knows, and this is to point out the truth as well, EVERY college has a policy to raise tuition every year, not just PBA.
Don't you think that "economic crisis" is blowing it out of proportion?
i think randy ranter is a little overboard, prof.
With all this talk of each of the admission counselors not meeting their goals this year, and thus, being fired, one important factor has been overlooked. After the change in regime in the admissions office, counselors no longer had the trust of their supervisor, and thus, became worried of their job security.
What Dr. Searle creates as a "leader" is not an environment of empowerment and motivation, rather one of micro-management and fear. Therefore, while admission counselors should be focused on helping students choose to attend PBA, they were forced to spend their time looking over their shoulders to see who was watching them, or attending one of the many meetings Dr. Searle requires them to be a part of. She tends to love committees, which, last time I checked, takes admission counselors OUT OF THE OFFICE, significantly cutting into their time they should have been spending with prospective students. So, it should come as no surprise that admission counselors didn't meet their numbers this year, because the very person who decided to fire these individuals for "not meeting their goals," was also a major contributor to the lower numbers because her priorities are skewed. For some reason, she likes to have meetings to talk about having meetings, so committees can be formed to "talk" about doing things, rather than "actually" accomplishing something.
Just curious, but why are we putting so much value in what these consultants are saying? Do these people have an incredible track record in private higher education recruiting? It seems that what they are doing is taking what they know, and just changing PBA's admission procedures to reflect what they have done at their respective schools. While they may have been somewhat successful in their respective schools, none of them have worked in a Florida school, specifically a destination school (in which most students come to school, graduate, and then move elsewhere). So, while I can respect the fact that they want to improve the admission process at PBA, I don't know if reinventing the wheel as the consultants suggest is the best idea here.
The good news is that the "new" admission staff has amazing job security. Dr. Searle loves the people that she hires, because they are all like-minded. Former admission staff should not be surprised about what happened. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, since she took over in student development, there is only one person on staff that she didn't hire. Congratulations to Eric Powdersilk on somehow transforming to fit the mold of student development.
In closing, we can only hope that someday Dr. Searle will take over the few departments she doesn't currently "oversee" (control), and take her rightful place seated at the right hand of Dr. Clark Almighty (and we can all get a visit from HR and start looking for new jobs).
No wonder you think the admission numbers were below... That wall hasn't been updated since early summer 2007 and as another admissions employee YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS...! When you have time on your break RUN an access report then talk facts sweetheart!
As a member of the "old school" era at PBA, I can't help but feel as if PBA has changed dramtically since my graduation in '03. Many professors and other faculty are now gone for . . . what? You can defend and spin your way anyway you see fit but it does come down to the almighty dollar and that's sad. Just like in the music industry, PBA is looking more like any other secular business out there!
To Micro-moron
"What Dr. Searle creates as a "leader" is not an environment of empowerment and motivation, rather one of micro-management and fear."
I could not disagree with you more. From my observations over the last few years, she is great at empowering her employees to do their jobs as they see fit. Ask the people who work for her if they like it or not. I would guess that well over 90% would say they love her.
I know that you'll all call them company men and women and say they can't think for themselves, but you'd be wrong. It sucks to get fired, but get over the bitterness and stop lashing out at the administration. Just grow up in gereral and stop saying things that aren't true. She is NOT a micro-manager.
Concerned fuddy-duddy, are you serious? Margaret Argyle is the queen of micro-managing. Which ever person talked about her having all the meetings is right. You obviously don't know much about what is going on, or you acutally are Margaret Argyle.
I HAVE asked people how they like working for her...I got several meaningful stares and a couple straight up disgusted looks.
Wow, well I don't know who you're talking to but every person I talk to who works for her is happy and doesn't feel micro-managed. She holds them accountable, but that's much different than micro-management. Maybe we should compare notes...
well of course the people she hires like her...nice insight
before this, there were 69 comments.
That little nugget of insight may be obvious to you, but some posters on her don't seem to get it. They say that people hate her, but in reality, most staff don't hate her. If it's so obvious, why do posters say she's a micro-manager? Most of her current emplyees would probably disagree with that.
Sometimes you have to state the obvious for those who are too bitter and biased to realize it.
you are micro-arguing
Ha ha ha ha ha...when you can't beat 'em with logic, make fun of them instead. Sounds like Junior High all over again.
WOW...everyone really had a whole lot to say about this situation so i should say something too.
I have met Dr. Searle and I have met Dr. Clark (who is a dick my the way) but Searle is ok, she was actually rather helpful to me at the time and takes time every time i see her.
As far as all the admissions counselors being let go, I know each of them and they are all different but great people and good at what they do. I think that other offices such as Tech services needs to be evaluated. Someone made a comment about counselors watching movies and playing games no answered calls etc. I know from experience the things that happen in Tech services and they do NOTHING over there but watch movies, talk on the phone and leave for hours on end. Some people do work however they are the vast minority.
I think that things do change, and PBA is trying to change with it but it needs to be a change for the better and I hope that the powers at be know what they are doing and the choices they have made do not come back to bite them in the butt.
God knows and sees all things, and karma is real. They need to be mindful of the golden rule and know that nothing lasts forever. Dick will not be the President of PBA forever and Dr. Searle will not be in the position she is in forever. there were people there before them and people will be there after them, so they need to be careful and tread lightly. They may be next.
bacon--there are a lot of personal attacks on here. The Bacon used to be careful to allow individual attacks on people.
It used to be about ideas.
It's your site, but I would like to request that you all keep a closer eye on attacks that have nothing to do with policies or ideas, but are hurtful to the individuals.
Read over some of the comments. Every time a commenter veers away from criticizing an idea and attacks a person, replace the name with a family member.
It's hurtful,isn't it? And it does nothing to contribute to the community conversation.
Please do something.
Sincerely,
A Loyal Reader who thinks ideas are open game
L, there is Justice
Wait for it -- good luck.
I'm an alumnus and former PBA employee who has lived outside of Florida for about nine months now. I occasionally get onto the Bacon's website just to catch up on some of what's been going down at PBA lately. This post is particularly disheartening to read, as I have personally had two good friends who have been fired since the time I left, and very unjustly so in my opinion. I still have friends that work there in different capacities, and I personally know employees and students who hold different opinions of Dr. Searle in particular, some positive and some negative.
I would like to point something out just from my own experience. I know that I am not a student at present fully involved in all the conflict that comes and goes for the current students, however, I went through a year and a half in the disciplinary process at PBA for something which I felt was completely unjustly dealt with. And ironically, I was mentored by a student two years my junior during half of that time. I have been friends with people on the student government who have been pushed around without cause or justification by the school's president and administration. Basically, I am generally aware of all of the problems that come along with being at PBA, and perhaps even more so. I am the daughter of two professors, neither of whom have ties to PBA. One of my parents teaches at a similar Christian liberal arts college to PBA, the president of which Dr. Clark has told me that he is very close with and shares the same school-building ideas with. One of these ideas being a strong resistance to professors being allowed tenure. At present, the school at which my parent teaches is having massive issues of conflict between the president (and his administration) and the professors. This, to me, is indicative of the flawed nature of the strategizing that these administrators have had. What is in common between these schools? An emphasis on construction and school beautification projects. A silencing of professors in discussions about what the school does. High turnover in admissions staff. It's interesting to me how similar they are.
Alright. So I've been reading all these 76 comments, which took a while to get through, and I believe it needs to be said once again, that criticizing the administrators who have been in positions of power lately is not the solution. It may make us feel better to call people "evil" or "the beast." But it does us no good, and it discredits us to anyone who might otherwise listen to us. Not only that, but it discredits us as Christians. We must focus on what the problem is. And I believe that problem to be the policies which are being enacted.
One commenter said: "So I ask you, who should PBA listen to? Students who have a limited view and opinion of admissions, a bitter online newspaper, or experts who know what it takes to have a successful admissions department?" I am sure that PBA is listening to experts. It is apparent that what they are doing is not uncommon when compared to other similar schools. However, there are different approaches to having a successful school, and I do not believe that PBA is pursuing the best route to that.
In light of all of what I have shared, I would encourage you to recognize that PEOPLE are not the problem. Policies, ideas, theories of how a school should be run... these are the things against which you must contend. And that is not an easy task, because you must know what you are talking about to engage in conversation such as this. I'm not saying that everyone writing on here is ignorant. I would be the first to admit that I might not know everything involved right now since I am not even a student currently. However, this tendency to talk badly about individuals, and to blame everything on certain people, such as Dr. Searle or Dr. Clark, is completely counterproductive. It does not contribute to a constructive dialog about the issues. All it does is create more division.
Today I was at a meeting of church leaders discussing missions. I listened to an older woman, a church leader who had recently been at another meeting discussing the need for their particular denomination to open up and incorporate other ways of doing missions. She said, somewhat emotionally, that she felt out of place among all these attenders who came from backgrounds which, it appeared to me, was quite similar to most PBA students. They were younger. They were evangelical. They were bitter against the denomination's failure to work with them in the past. And this woman who was now a part of discussion about how this church was going to change in order to involve these other approaches; this woman felt out of place. She had never considered the denomination to be a problem. She had not felt this bitterness against the church. She had always been a part of it. Now... I do not mean to say that this experience is completely like that of the administrators, or that they desire such change as was being discussed in this meeting, but I would like to suggest that these individuals many of you are blaming should not be treated as though they are unfeeling, unresponsive, mindless dictators. These are people who are Christians, just like us, and want to do what is best for the school and for the students. Despite how incorrect their approach, their policies, their decisions may be, they are trying to do what is good. Perhaps I am being naive in believing that, but I truly do believe it, and I can say that having felt a whole lot of bitterness about what I went through at PBA. I am not being ignorant. I am being forgiving. And I am quite aware that in challenging you to do this, to treat these people with respect, I am asking you who are still in the midst of this struggle to choose the higher way. I am through with my PBA time and over a year past graduating. You are still going through it. And I understand how hard that can be. But I believe that a dialogue is needed, and if the students can't get the administration to listen, then talk about it constructively with each other. Talk about what you can do to change it. Talk with professors. Many of you know those who would listen and perhaps give helpful and wise advice in this. This is a struggle that must be had. Stick it out. Get through it. And try to do some good along the way, not speaking in anger and bitterness, because that will shut people's ears. I read this recent post about SoulForce coming to PBA and I see comments that are so welcoming, inviting open discussion, and certainly not judgmental for the most part. Yet when it comes to our own school, PBA, should we be hateful, judgmental, unforgiving?
I am not calling you to ignore injustice, simply to discuss it constructively.
Dear, "concerned alumnus and my regretably long thoughts"
I appreciate your thoughts but I think you must reconsider one detail. It is people who create poor policy...not the other way around. The fate of PBA might be more positiviely impacted by the removal or hard disipline of those who produce and execute poor policy. I agree it should not be a presonal attack. They have done enough attacking for everyone.
otherwise...your thought are fair.
Pray for PBA...its scary around here.
Concerned, that must be the longest post I have ever seen on The Bacon.
As a student worker in the Admissions Office, I have come to understand the process pretty well. What happened was wrong. It did not help the AO at all.
Fortunately, Dr. Clark is leaving, so his vision for PBA is irrelevant.
The hope for our school lies in the Board now. Hopefully, they choose somebody who will be here to help the STUDENTS primarily...then FACULTY....then STAFF...and finally ADMINISTRATION (rather than the opposite).
I also am a student in the admissions office and understand the process as well. However, I disagree with Mango and would say everything was MUCH needed. The AO is so much better off with the new people they've hired and enrollment is going to be at record levels this year.
I've already heard so many reports from the road that confirm these decisions by the administration. There were schools who wanted PBA to pay attention to them but heard nothing from us. We had admissions staff who literally refused open inivitations to visit large Christian schools in Florida. How wack is that? A major contact for an entire region said, "now that you're finally paying attention to us, we'll start paying attention to helping you."
It hurts to say good-bye to those who were let go, but we're much beter off without them.
If PBA focuses on recruiting from Christian schools, then you are doomed.
Admissions should vigorously recruit from Advance Placement Students from all schools.
Where is the academic leadership at PBA? Why are cheerleaders for Searle rewarded while Honors Students are neglected?
PBA used to be a true liberal arts school. Students used to read books and demonstrate a true love of knowledge.
Now you have Wazoo Weekend. This is so depressing. Where are your God-given brains, PBA?
true
Um, not true. We are a Chirstian school aren't we? Why shouldn't we target Chsitian High Schools?
Sure, but we are a university (read: ACADEMICS)
....come on! Everyone knows that although Christian HS students are a faith fit and have parents who have the cash for PBA they really are not known for being academically strong students.
Their test scores are often sub par and the value of their grading scales are anyones guess. I can see how faculty may become nervous about over recruiting Christian HS grads. Retention may increase...but say good bye to academic cred.
...Hello Bible College!
"Bible College"?
Vacation Bible Camp?
Christian Pre-school?
Goo-goo Ga-ga for Jesus Day Care?
How low will the academic level descend?
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