Capstone Review 2017

This poem was written after my first year of chairing the Capstone Design course as a method to connect all involved. We all had our opinion, and were not actively listening to the opinions of others. I presented it at the annual department retreat. This first step helped a great deal in bringing together a team to revitalize the Capstone experience.

Students, Supervisors, Coordinators without consideration to all we are considerate to none.
 
Students:           I don’t like my supervisor and this project sucks
I am going to just do the minimum and graduate with luck
I don’t have time for time how can I finish this work
This is insanity, come…let us stage a revolt
Last year these details were not required
It is the fault of this new coordinator they hired
Mentor sessions you say, it does not matter
I still have to work, they don’t take us much further
We never learnt these things before
Yet this new knowledge we’re expected to procure
I’ll just figure out my grader so I can scam her
Put one lecturer gainst another so I don’t have to bother
 
Students, Supervisors, Coordinators without consideration to all we are considerate to none.
 
Supervisors:      Students aren’t producing what they are required
Level 3 looks dim, a level 4 is better desired
JBM coming to haunt us next semester
Student’s projects seem like a disaster
Change, change, change, why we changed a-gain
I was familiar with how it was, this better be worth d-pain
Why must I listen to this young coordinator
With my experience, my perspective really matter
Students not even showing up for assistance
Their fear of failure just prolonging their existence
When they fail it becomes a blame game
They better complain about the right name
 
Students, Supervisors, Coordinators without consideration to all we are considerate to none.
 
Coordinators:    Dear God protect me as I go along my way
And ensure I accomplish the tasks you created for today
Started as an assistant to keep this going
Grateful for support and freedom to keep improving
Lecturers, we don’t agree on what is required
Going to have to make a choice, hope I don’t get fired
Structures on top and structures below
Civil is more than Structures man go with the flow
Students complain, they always worth a listen
The longer I am here, the less I believe em
Trying to curb a problem in final year
Can’t change senior habits my dear
 
Students, Supervisors, Coordinators without consideration to all we are considerate to none.

Presented at staff retreat May 2017. Smith