Central Washington University

I don't think I'll have a problem with my day-to-day tasks, but it will take me a while to get used to a public university system. For example, they're very specific about how funds are used, particularly that they are used for the students, not the employees. Even things like candy on your desk. If you buy it with school funds, the employees can't eat it, but the students can. There are also no discounts on the cafeteria food, the fitness center or any events; the complete opposite of FPU. You also can't go straight to the top with any questions or concerns. Everything has to be filtered through the chain of command, so it takes a while to get an answer. It's also on a much larger scale than FPU. What FPU has a person for, Central has a department if not an entire building dedicated to each service. It's pretty overwhelming.

The campus itself is gorgeous. Most of the buildings are red brick and several have been remodeled in the last few years. My favorite building is the science building (right).

The International Center is the one of the "less attractive" buildings on campus (not pictured...yet), but it's very homey and welcoming. It was an old dormitory, so it has a small kitchen and restrooms in each hallway. My office has a joint door to the office next to it which Nicole (the co-worker I'll probably end up working with the most often) likes to keep open since my office has the air conditioner in it.

The campus has a really neat little Japanese garden and a beautiful new student union with lots of eating variety. The main administration building (left) is one of the original buildings on campus and the sort of template for the look of the rest of campus.



So far I have felt absolutely spoiled. I have a brand new computer, new flat screen monitor, new keyboard, and just Friday, they brought in an incredible office chair that adjusts to every nook and cranny of my body. It even has an air pump in the back that adjusts the lumbar support. I'm sure the chair wasn't cheap, but the guy from the Ergonomics Department said I got it because I qualify as a "special need" due to my small frame. Hey, I'm not going to argue. I just hope I don't fall asleep in it!