Video et Taceo

Actually, I'm writing this to express my confusion. I simply don't know how to react. The result of the thesis defense came out. While I'm happy that some made it, I'm also sad that others didn't... especially those who are close to me. And then there are the complaints against teachers and other students... I guess it's always like this every semester.

I've been trying to improve the thesis program and we were doing well. Suddenly everything changed. For some reason rules kept changing, faculty members are shying away from serving among the thesis panel, more confusions arose...etc.. etc... I hear it everywhere!

I am pretty sure that I'm not the only faculty member who is aware of this. I'm also sure that the current dean is fully aware of the situation. In the past I would do something about it, but I end up always confronting walls. Even the students who complained would not lift a finger. Perhaps it is best to apply the motto of Queen Elizabeth I: video et taceo (I see, and say nothing).

It seems like a motto eveyone else has adopted, even the students themselves. Sure they don't lack in the expletives and threats... but it ends there. If the people in government in the college and department are silent about it, if the students with valid complaints are silent about it, if the colleagues who can influence each other are silent about it... then taceo!