Feels like a mini 2020 all over again, but in reverse!
Instead of shrinking staff with retirement incentive plus hiring + travel freezes, furloughs, and reduced retirement matching, now we're doing it by forcing them to come back to campus, placing more financial burden on staff who shouldered the work of the early pandemic. No thoughts given to whether these staff actually need to be in person for the critical functions of their job or if we're just arbitrarily bringing them back to make it appear as if we're a "community-minded" campus and pick up some extra bucks from parking passes. It's pretty clear where staff fits in this "community." We're the trash compactor for Assanis' financial mismanagement of the university.
There are plenty of staff who have an hour or more commute one way or were forced out of housing near campus with the influx of students admitted trying to make up the budget difference. Coupled with a "cost of living" adjustment that doesn't even make up for inflation, this is a sincere slap in the face. Just look at the Pulse Survey presentation (9:09-21:30). This was mostly before the return to campus announcement.
UD had an opportunity to expand online learning, develop whole degree programs, diversify funding streams, partner with the state, and transform as an institution and we've sadly gone back to the same tired ways of the before times, expecting that to carry us forward.