Photo by Ralph (Ravi) Kayden on Unsplash

An Open Letter to My University:

I want to be a good contract faculty person and attend the faculty retreat that is scheduled for today. Instead, I will model the kind of self-care the university pays lip service to in emails and university wide initiatives, but never through policy changes, salary increases that reflect inflation and cost of living, or real systematic institutional restructuring…

and not go.

We all know the word retreat really means meeting. If we were on a retreat, attendance would be optional, we would not be sent strategic planning documents beforehand to review, and there would be down time for relaxing, napping, walking, and/or reflection.

If I were actually going on a retreat would I be punching out this letter with my index finger curled up in the front seat of my car, so that I can move it in case the traffic cops come, and hoping I’ll have time for breakfast and to go to the bathroom beforehand?

You know something isn’t good for you or your life is completely out of control with work when there’s no time to poop.

Photo by Curology on Unsplash

A retreat means nature, rest, and a new perspective. Also time to poop.