I think they're cutting the wrong jobs...

Ok, so I'm a day late, but I think it's a good thing. Mostly so I can let my head cool.
Yesterday morning I was pretty pissed off. Still am. Problem still exists, but it's solved as good as it can be given the different procedures in place at the University. Damn.

To set the scene.  I received a scholarship in December that I can claim given I defend in January (CHECK) and register in the PhD program before January 31 (CHECK). The way the letter was worded, as long as I met these conditions, I could claim the scholarship from January to April (4 months). I never heard anything from the grad secretary, so I assumed that everything was fine.  I assumed wrong. Fuck.

Well, someone along the way dropped the ball (I'm going to point fingers at my grad secretary) and I didn't get paid for January on time.  I was anticipating this paycheque, so not getting it has thrown a huge monkey wrench in my finances. HUGE.

I phoned the secretary yesterday morning.  Politely told her to get her ass in gear and asked how soon I could get my paycheque. Turns out I can get part of it next week (yay) but it'll shift ALL my U of S paycheques between now and May (WTF!?).

I talked with HR, we came up with a plan.  The least shitty of plans.  They were all pretty shitty.  Part of the conversation went like this:

HR:  "This kind of mix-up is really common for employees receiving a stipend and doing casual work. It can be expected."
Me: "Just because they've come to expect a mix-up like this doesn't mean that it's correct or warranted."
HR: "Well we haven't had any complaints yet."
Me: "Expect one."

I'm working on my complaint letter.  I guess I'm not the first person to get fucked over, and according to HR, I won't be the last. Stupid HR. Stupid U of S Financial Department. Grumpy, grumpy, grumpy.

The secretary then phoned me back (kind of unprofesisonal-like) to stick up for herself because she felt like I was laying blame on her. Which I was, but that's not the issue. I think if she'd actually been doing her job correctly, then she wouldn't feel the need to defend herself.  But whatever.  Here's part of our conversation:

Secretary: "But it's not my fault that he (my supervisor) didn't submit the form on time. I can't start the account without knowing where to take the money from."
Me: "That's fine.  Did you do everything you could to make sure he returned the form on time?"
Secretary: "Like what, send a reminder?"
Me: "Yes."
Secretary: "Well, I don't think it's my responsibility to remind people to submit forms."
Me: "You're an 'assistant'.  You 'assist' people.  Sending reminders 'assists' people."
Secretary: "I don't think I should be sending reminders."
Me: "You may want to add it to your standard procedures. It's called a 'follow-up'. You may want to start doing everything you can to help the process, because it's flawed and now my finances are screwed up from now until April - provided I don't get another scholarship. I'm going to talk with the Department Head and see what I can do to file a formal complaint."
Secretary: "Are you sure you want to go to that much trouble. It's not my fault."
Me: "There's a problem, and if no one knows about it, it won't get solved. Goodbye."

I'm still pissed. Honestly, I'm just glad that I have REALLY UNDERSTANDING PARENTS that are able to help bail me out of a financial mess that I really didn't cause.  It's the end of the month - there's bills to pay.  I don't want cheques to bounce. Good thing my fridge is full, because although they helped out, this coming week is going to be pretty meager. 

Good thing I'm coming up on "crazy fucking busy" too...less time to get into trouble.  Trouble requires coin.