ABSTRACT
Like teaching, administrating can look different and, at times, can really be different. There is, however, a price to pay. In the simplest terms: messing with things can cost. It can cost time, emotional energy, promotions, and even the very support of those students and colleagues who are benefiting from your efforts. Part of the reason why so many administrators quickly return to business as usual, if they ever bother attempting to do things otherwise, is due to the inevitable flack they get — from all corners. If one is willing and actually able to disrupt the status quo then one must be ready for the fallout. Once you start undoing the order of things, people start reacting, nervously and negatively, even if they are the beneficiaries of your attempt to do things differently.
