Zooming and compartmentalization

Zoom is one of those pandemic phenomena that is likely to not go away, even as campuses return to in-person instruction and other experiences. Whether Zoom is used for business or personal communication, it is now pervasive in most people's lives, allowing for greater ease in scheduling meetings and allowing us to include friends/colleagues who would in past worlds not be able to participate.

Joshua Kim offers advice on how Zoom has changed campus meetings. Reading the list will surely result in plenty of nodding heads and resigned shrugs. Zoom has been helpful in many ways but the fatigue of back-to-back Zoom meetings and the loss of "hallway" and incidental conversation present significant challenges. The additional issue not addressed in Kim's advice is that Zoom meetings do not allow for a personal touch or the reading of non-verbals, both of which engender trust.

As Zoom increased access, staff were reduced, and demands increased, some educators have withdrawn or sought greater compartmentalization of their lives. Privileged faculty have always had the luxury of flexible work schedules and discretion in how they contributed their time. This privilege is now sought by other staff who increasingly see themselves as burnt out. In order to respect others' needs, Joshua Kim recommends, "be sure that you value other people's time... don't request time and energy unless completely necessary,.. and stop assuming that others share your priorities."