Spring break is over, which means that in addition to heading back to class, I'm going to try to confront the RU administration one more time in a sort of "last stand" to try and work things out. I doubt that I'll be successful, but I know that if I don't at least try I'm just going to be aggravated and upset if I find out there's something else I could have done. The sentiment expressed in the Motion City Soundtrack song "Can't Finish What You Started" probably best stands up my present feelings about the situation, though;
I thought of all the things I'd like to say
Cramped up and couldn't write a word all day
I'm just waiting for my world to fall apart
That's why I'll never finish anything I start
More like this
One of science's saving graces is that a fair number of scientists will publicly admit that they are wrong (and then there's Marc Hauser*...).
Over at The Tree of Life, Jonathan Eisen asks:
What do people think are the potential benefits that could come from finishing?
Today, the last witness for the Franken campaign made it through the weather and testified. Franken's side rested! The special side case of the Nauen petition "count my votes" appeared to finish.
Inside Higher Ed describes a study of complete rates for PhD students broken down by race/ethnicity, gender, whether the student is international or domestic, and by discipline. Here is the key chart:
Hey, what's up with RU? Depending on what's wrong, there is usually some way to get around problems or get them worked out to your satisfaction. Try talking to a dean or someone high up in your department. Through four years, I had lots of problems there, but overall I think I was able to "win" almost every challenge they threw at me.
Good luck in your "last stand." Although perhaps you might try a different metaphor. It seems like historically, the people who fight a last stand do not make it out alive....