While the President's Away...

It's been an eventful first half of the year, and I am dearly looking forward to a month's break before returning to get back to business. I'm off with my husband and three gorgeous children (ages 8, 7 & 4) for a month of weddings, reunions and camping in California and Oregon, from where I originally hail. I've left all your interests in the capable hands of our Vice President (and former UMPA President) Tony Williams and the rest of the hard-working staff and councillors at UMPA.

Upon my return, I shall almost immediately be attending the annual Planning and Budget Conference at Mt Eliza, a jaw-clenching event where faculties and various units have an opportunity to bid for funding from the ever-dwindling pool. It's also accountability time, and those whose budgets aren't balancing are asked to explain themselves and how they're getting out of such straits. Although we have a chance to put forward students' interests at the conference, for UMPA and UMSU it's largely an exercise in professional development and awaiting the outcome of our own funding hopes. Cross fingers.

So off I go, and I shan't write anything here while I'm away as I hope not to know much of what's actually happening in my absence. :-) There are mountains and lakes over there where you can't even get wireless, if you can imagine that. I can, so I guess I'm not totally ruined yet. ;-)

See you in August!

pax.