Hofstra, 1994-2004 - Harry Baya
16_Hofstra_1994_2004.doc, 16_Hofstra_1994_2004.html
Last updated May 12, 2020
Chapter 16: Hofstra University
A recent dream caused me to recall memories of Hofstra related to working with the students. I recalled how much I loved that job, and how in some important way I cared for, and probably loved the students, some more than others. The picnics in particular were a wonderful memory.
I was living in my co-op apartment in Hastings when my consulting/programming work for Fred Putney was cut to ½ time and eventually to just occasional work. I had trouble finding a job. Eventually a friend of mind in the Scarsdale Quaker meeting recommended me to the computer department at Hofstra University. He, John Bryant, was a professor there. I got the job and started in February of 1994. I remember that the ground was covered with snow that year from the day I started till, I think, some time in April.
I was in the Faculty Computing Support department. There were about 7 of us and we were mostly good friends throughout the time I was there. Three of us, me, David Klein, and Sherry Ross were there the entire ten years. Others, including Barry Germond and Julie Sullivan were there for at least 8 of those years. It was a wonderful group to work with.
My job for the first seven years was to run the campus computer labs. This consisted of hiring, training, managing, scheduling, and paying between 100 and 140 students who staffed the computer labs from 8AM to midnight every day. I loved it from the start. I think it was the best job I ever had. I especially liked identifying and growing the most capable students so that they could help me run the operation. I was essentially working alone to handle all the day to day paperwork, especially the accounting needed to pay each student correctly every two weeks, and to assure that every position in each of up to five different labs (two big ones with a student staff of 3 most of the time) was staffed during the hours the lab was open.
To say that I had a lot of very interesting experiences would be a gross understatement. I do hope to write up things like the annual picnic, the web page contest, and some of the unique interactions in the labs. Also bowling, David Klein, the girl who was threatened, Sherry Ross, Barry and others. The incident with the head of the library, some individual students and memories
After seven years I left the labs and became a full time faculty support staff member and worked with individual members of the faculty to assist them in whatever way was needed. One of the major departments I supported was the Education department. “You are a teacher.”
I “retired” from Hofstra in 2004 after completing the retirement requirement of 10 years of work. I retired because Elaine wanted to retire and we could not afford to stay in the area we were in, Westchester County, New York, a pricey area. We found a house we could afford in Abingdon, Virginia and moved there in July of 2004. I would have continued working at Hofstra had I been able to do so.
Though I have consistently tried to avoid mentioning things I would like to add to other chapters, I choose to leave in the notes below.
I do hope to write up things like the annual picnic, the web page contest, and some of the unique interactions in the labs. Also bowling, David Klein, the girl who was threatened, Sherry Ross, Barry and others. The incident with the head of the library, some individual students and memories
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David Klein wrote:
In the first paragraph I made this edit: computer department [FCS or Computer Center]. It wasn't the computer department, but I don't know whether it was Academic Computing (ACC), or Faculty Computing Something-which-began-with-an-Services/Support (FCS).In the second paragraph I added a comment: "It was a wonderful group to work with." [Amen]
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Taking Sherry’s job
Reaction of senior students – Brian Ferris and others
Star Trek
Blackmailed for a grade
Shawna Van Ness
Jennifer Caltibiano
Dana? Harris
Senior staff meeting – Gene Ingola
Laurie Harvey
Other bosses, Fancy dresser, school of ed, Judy (last)
Andrew Thorn
Monopoly party
Picnics – kick the baby, water guns, web contest
Barry’s Halloween parties
Barry’s dog
David’s washing machine, hammock in celling
Bryce experience
Russian woman and Gleb
Beauty Queen
Lawyer accountant
Library boss
Julie’s car
Web picture take down
Christmas parties
Brad Rose computer program – vax/c
The cart incident
Windows ?
Mozilla Henry Wagner
Brian Ferris
Sookhan Wei - pay roll problem
Getting the students paid
Start of semester, Sherry’s help
Incidents in lab - postings, false arrests etc,
Bowling team and experiences
Janet Pisano
Jullie Sullivan
Kat Broadshaw
Tall guy -
Online teaching
“I know where you are” and joke screen