Wow. I get it. You're a college of sciences. You're proud of the fact that your graduates can't spell. But you totally took it to another level of incompetence when we came to visit.
As seen on campus
I really think your engineering students/professors/experts/whatever should examine the fact that your sidewalks have big gaps of grass between them.
Strange
We went to the bookstore to buy the book Scott needs for his class that starts on today. I know you're asking why Scott procrastinated because, let's face it, I'd have bought that book in June. But he didn't get his course schedule until last week. Since he'll be working full time and taking these classes at night, Saturday was the only opportunity. The class takes place on base, and the college is 30 minutes away.
The bookstore was bright and shiny with incoming freshmen and their nervous parents.
We went through the stacks looking for the author of the textbook Contemporary Management (side note: Anyone have this to sell us? Also: spoiler alert.). After 15 minutes of no luck, I asked one of the college students who was working there.
He asked another worker and, together, the two of them could not articulate a complete sentence to answer the question, "Do you have this book?".
They didn't ask what it was. They didn't try to help. They insisted all books for all programs were there and if they weren't, they were sold out. We couldn't find the author's name on the shelf, so it's doubtful they ever had the book. But these knowledgeable employees didn't offer actual help, so it's hard to tell. We're still not sure if a university offering a program doesn't sell the books for that program in their bookstore or not.
He asked another worker and, together, the two of them could not articulate a complete sentence to answer the question, "Do you have this book?".
They didn't ask what it was. They didn't try to help. They insisted all books for all programs were there and if they weren't, they were sold out. We couldn't find the author's name on the shelf, so it's doubtful they ever had the book. But these knowledgeable employees didn't offer actual help, so it's hard to tell. We're still not sure if a university offering a program doesn't sell the books for that program in their bookstore or not.
We left, confused.
Next, we tried the Registrar's office. He needed an ID card and thought they might offer some insight into where he could find books for his course.
The Registrar's office was closed. The lady at one of the desks in the building offered help by saying, "Oh, don't worry. Talk to the professor. Order it from Amazon. That professor is kinda sketchy anyway." Okay, sure.
She sent us to the building that housed the ID card-making equipment so, on a scale of comparison, she was actually more helpful than the bookstore staff.
Ten dollars later, he had an ID card.
We went to the library. I had the idea that maybe he could check that textbook out. And then he'd at least have it for the beginning of the course (The course is only 3 weeks long, which is why Amazon wasn't really a viable option).
Twenty minutes later, book in hand, his ID card wouldn't work. The library employee said that they take a day or so to activate and it won't work, "probably until tomorrow or by the end of the week". His co-worker, from 50 feet away, threw in, "But it WILL work!". Whew. That's a relief.
At that point, I didn't know what to think. It's like everyone was going out of their way to be dismissive and unhelpful. This was freshman-move-in weekend! They should be ready to handle questions and concerns.
We went back to the ID card place and they told us that, yes, it would take about 24 hours for the card to be activated, but the library should be able to check out books based on ID numbers, not just swiping the card.
Back to the library.
This time, they called the "boss" who had "just had a baby, so I don't know if she'll answer", like that was supposed to make us feel bad or something. (Side note: As a teacher, when a parent didn't like my answer, I'd call in the principal. It's a "get them to go away" tactic.)
Anyway, no book for Scott. We returned home empty-handed.
Is this the usual college experience these days? I don't remember Penn State taking up to a week to activate ID cards. Also, they had the books people needed to buy.
All I really got out of it was calculating the years back in my head...it's been 9 years since I started college. I don't need to remember that.
