Should I say something?

I'm really having a hard time with this. We got a new couple (both fiancees in our dept) and the girl is doing really well. Well.....the guy acted like he knew what he was doing when he came to visit (he is getting his PhD) but, since he has gotten here, has blown off 3 meetings with his adviser, missed class claiming his car broke down (he lives 3 blocks from the university) and we're pretty sure it was because he didn't finish his homework.

Last semester he was supposed to give a presentation in our seminar class. He got there in shorts and a golf shirt and had about 10 slides ready. He claimed that he saved it and powerpoint must have just deleted them. In all my years of using powerpoint I have never even heard of that happening.

He is never on campus, didn't show up to our club meeting today, hasn't paid his dues for the club and never shows up for guest speakers.

The worst part is that the chair of my dept is the nicest guy in the world, as is his adviser. They are paying him to be here and do research and, in almost a year, he hasn't come up with even a hint of an experiment for his research. His adviser doesn't even know what he's doing!

I hate his personality and, if he worked, I could put up with him. But having a crappy personality AND not working?! He talks like he is above everyone but never does his work. Acts so arrogant but then blows off the people paying his salary!

I know that everyone in the dept is painfully aware of it but I don't know if anyone has really said anything to our chair? I really want to but I don't know if it's my place? I know it's really none of my business but I hate watching someone take a place in a dept where someone else could be missing out who would actually do a good job. Bottom line, if this guy is here in the fall I think I will start a riot. I'm just not sure whether I should just keep my mouth shut and watch what happens or let the chair know that basically we all hate having him here?

Honestly? Stay quiet. Do your own work, get your goals met, and move on. There will always be freeloaders in your life...and not until you are the supervisor do you get to make the changes for the better.

It's tough, I know. When younger, I often wanted to be the one to insist upon everything being fair. It rarely worked out well for me, and often I was the outcast later, because I stood up for my values. Well, actually, I was trying to put others into my view of my values.

I am reminded of a story about a guy who owned land and hired day laborers. The first ones were paid xx amount for the whole day...and as laborers came and asked for work, the day went on and finally the last ones to be hired only worked for a few hours yet were being paid the same as everyone else. The land owner pointed out that each person made their own agreement, and that it was only fair that each person stick to their own agreement and not expect more of him or of others.

Be careful not to apply "shoulds" and "oughts" and distortions like that to your thinking. (Now if his lack of production impedes your work, such as he is supposed to provide something you need to finish your work, and he fails to do so ...yes then you are directly impacted and involved and can say something to the supe. ) Be well.

Thanks, JD. I know I shouldn't but I have to have that reassurance to force myself to shut up! haha.

The only time he "impedes" my work is when he never shows up to class and we're all waiting on him to start or doesn't show up to our club meetings and we're all waiting.

Oh yeah, last semester in my seminar class we were put on random debate teams to debate biocontrol ethics situations. Everyone would meet up beforehand, print out some articles to back up their sides etc.... I sent him like 2 or 3 emails and several articles to read and he never responded. The day comes for us to debate and his GIRLFRIEND comes in to tell me he's not coming! Didn't even email me or call or anything.

Times like that is when it affects me. But I know that the chair already knows about that stuff.

Ugh. I never wish harm upon others but I swear I hope he gets kicked out and thrown on his ***! Makes me feel bad to really wish that but I do....

This idiot is being PAID and he never shows up??? Oooohhh! i'd be awfully tempted to tell someone! AWFULLY tempted!!

But I think JD is right. I think it would probably come back to bite you in the butt.

Let him cut his own throat. He will in the end. If he doesn't THERE, he will somewhere else. Don't sacrifice yourself for this loser.

God bless. Hugs, Lee