# Got my chair **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 1, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771 "2022-05-01T21:21:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/1 "2022-05-01T21:21:44Z")
I’m reading 25 years at my job at the college, so I earned my chair. [https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/279460367\_10101026912760743\_3139725921171555711\_n.jpg?\_nc\_cat=111&ccb=1-5&\_nc\_sid=730e14&\_nc\_ohc=VmMEezIPidsAX9nrIYG&tn=jeav7-RIc9qKkyiQ&\_nc\_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00\_AT9ODkFrbMxkHq7iLmx7f6usLOGKAB9sydZzr\_0uEFE\_Uw&oe=6273C236](https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/279460367_10101026912760743_3139725921171555711_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=VmMEezIPidsAX9nrIYG&tn=jeav7-RIc9qKkyiQ&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AT9ODkFrbMxkHq7iLmx7f6usLOGKAB9sydZzr_0uEFE_Uw&oe=6273C236) [https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/279354889\_10101026912785693\_8163211205002856390\_n.jpg?\_nc\_cat=111&ccb=1-5&\_nc\_sid=730e14&\_nc\_ohc=KLiv8T7lHRsAX95ZM42&\_nc\_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00\_AT8CqSLyQ9-74-6c6poSgHzHIIqADbmrM9Z3OvlGyDXj9A&oe=6274E1B9](https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/279354889_10101026912785693_8163211205002856390_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=KLiv8T7lHRsAX95ZM42&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AT8CqSLyQ9-74-6c6poSgHzHIIqADbmrM9Z3OvlGyDXj9A&oe=6274E1B9) I also got a framed certificate in a first-class frame (usually used for diplomas), plus recognition at a luncheon. Things have changed a lot in IT over the years. When I first started, we had just set up our student network (wired, of course) and we’d tell students they could get on the Interet within six weeks. And they were thrilled! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/2 "2022-05-01T21:40:31Z")
That’s pretty cool. Congrats. What does “reading” mean in this context? I’m woefully ignorant on the inner workings of colleges. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/3 "2022-05-01T21:46:39Z")
[https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/66583362/i-like-that-chair-thats-a-nice-chair.jpg](https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/66583362/i-like-that-chair-thats-a-nice-chair.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/4 "2022-05-01T21:47:13Z")
Congratulations! That’s a very academic-looking chair, in a very academic-looking book-lined setting. Are you entertaining any thoughts of retirement in the foreseeable future? ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/5 "2022-05-01T21:53:29Z")
Congratulations! Well earned. @What_Exit “Reading” is similar to Professor. It is heard more in the U.K. than the U.S. but now that you know the term you can, ahem, read about it. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/6 "2022-05-01T21:55:08Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > What does “reading” mean in this context? I’m woefully ignorant on the inner workings of colleges. I’ve taught at colleges for decades and I didn’t understand either. Was that a typo? Or a Britishism where “I’m reading for civil engineering” means you’re majoring in that? And is “getting a chair” a thing? My first reaction was an endowment where you’d donate scads of money and the salary of a specially selected “Rothman Foundation Chair Professor of Arts and Sciences” would be paid by that endowment. But I’m assuming it’s not that. And it’s just that everyone that’s there for 25 years gets a physical chair… anyone know of other colleges that do that? Do all employees get that? Or a select few (sounds expensive if it’s everyone). Can you just back up and explain everything as if we weren’t teaching at your college? Sorry if I’m just dense… ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/7 "2022-05-01T22:14:24Z")
Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/8 "2022-05-01T22:38:01Z")
That was a typo. It should have been “reaching.” ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/9 "2022-05-01T22:38:49Z")
Oh, it sounded like a Britism so it looked Kosher to me. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/10 "2022-05-01T22:47:05Z")
> [@digs](#): > > > [@What\_Exit](#): > > > > What does “reading” mean in this context? I’m woefully ignorant on the inner workings of colleges. > > I’ve taught at colleges for decades and I didn’t understand either. Was that a typo? Or a Britishism where “I’m reading for civil engineering” means you’re majoring in that? > > And is “getting a chair” a thing? My first reaction was an endowment where you’d donate scads of money and the salary of a specially selected “Rothman Foundation Chair Professor of Arts and Sciences” would be paid by that endowment. But I’m assuming it’s not that. > And it’s just that everyone that’s there for 25 years gets a physical chair… anyone know of other colleges that do that? > Do all employees get that? Or a select few (sounds expensive if it’s everyone). > > Can you just back up and explain everything as if we weren’t teaching at your college? Sorry if I’m just dense… “Reading” was a typo. I meant “reaching.” When you work at the college for 25 years, you get the choice of a rocker or an armchair of a similar design. This applies to any employee. People also get gifts at five, ten, fifteen, and 20 years. About 5-10 people get a chair each year. Note that I don’t teach; I work in the IT computer helpdesk. It’s not an endowed chair, which is something else. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/11 "2022-05-01T22:50:21Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Congratulations! > > That’s a very academic-looking chair, in a very academic-looking book-lined setting. Are you entertaining any thoughts of retirement in the foreseeable future? I am making plans. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2022, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/12 "2022-05-01T22:56:26Z")
> [@digs](#): > > And is “getting a chair” a thing? “Getting _ **a** _ chair” is preferable to “getting _ **the** _ chair.” ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/13 "2022-05-02T03:29:23Z")
**Chuck** , we appreciate your stopping back to clarify. I’m so jealous of your chair! I just looked through my closet… I got a wooden pen and pencil set for 25 years. Big whoop, never used them. My 20 years “swag” was a paperweight with the school logo. Yes, this is how exciting my school is… (Have you ever seen anyone extolling the virtues of a paperweight? Or even looking for one… trying to hold down stacks of paper in an indoor windstorm, I assume.) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-chair/963771/14 "2022-05-02T03:32:40Z")
I would’ve gone for something like Mr. Burns’ university chair. [![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bc/71/89/bc718918d79a1a07967e1b75b88fe080.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bc/71/89/bc718918d79a1a07967e1b75b88fe080.jpg)