Free The Campus Trilogy by Anonymous Page A

although I think I will have to say that the books should have been ordered.”
    Pilkington looked troubled. “You must apologise,” he said. “You were very tactless. I’ve talked this over with Wanda and the VC, and in our view we think you were misusing your position as a professor. But an apology is not enough. I’m afraid I am going to have to issue you with an oral warning.” He opened the Staff Handbook which was lying on his desk. “This has been an informal meeting so far,” he continued, “but given the gravity of the situation, I’m proceeding from Provision14 (Grievance) to Provision 24 (Discipline). This states that an oral warning can be given in situations where there has been serious misconduct. As Head of Department I am empowered to issue such a warning as long as I’ve consulted the Dean and Vice-Chancellor. They both agree that this would be the correct action given the circumstances. Of course you have the right of appeal. But I would strongly urge you not to invoke it.”
    Penelope was outraged. “This is ridiculous,” she said. “As an officer of the union, I must protest in the strongest terms. There is simply no reason for issuing an oral warning. The regional officer of the UCU will be very annoyed when he hears. Jenny Sloth should have ordered books for Harry’s students. She didn’t answer his request. He emailed her. This was quite proper. There was no response. So he emailed her again. And then he wrote her a letter. Throughout he has acted professionally. You would have been the first to criticize if he had ignored student complaints …”
    “Well,” Pilkington interrupted, “that’s not the way the Dean and the Vice-Chancellor see it.” He sat at his desk and frowned at us. “You can do as you wish,” he said. “Don’t think I take any pleasure in this matter. You should be relieved this isn’t going to be a written warning. In any event, an oral warning lasts for a year and will be cancelled assuming there is no repetition of similar behaviour. I will confirm in writing that I have given you an oral warning. It takes effect immediately.”
    Penelope and I stood up and walked to the door. Enraged, Penelope complained all the way to my room. “The man’s an idiot,” she said. “He’s nothing more than a little creep. And what about his attitude toward animals … he’s a complete barbarian,” she announced loudly. “Rufus should have bitten him when he had a chance.”
     
    Pilkington’s letter arrived the following week. He informed me that I had been given an oral warning which was effective from the date of the meeting and would be in force for a full year. Any similar offence, Pilkington stated, would be regarded with the utmost seriousness. He went on to emphasize that both the Dean and the VC had been consulted and had authorized this action. He concluded by saying that I had the right to appealagainst his decision – if I did wish to do so, I should write directly to the Registrar.
    I phoned Magnus and asked him to meet me for tea in the Senior Common Room. When I arrived, there was a table in the corner. I put my coat on a chair and ordered lemon tea for us both plus two toasted teacakes each. I felt guilty about the tea cakes, but I thought they might cheer us up. The SCR was empty except for two Law lecturers who were poring over papers spread out on their table. When I read the letter to Magnus, he groaned. “They fixed it up,” he said. “They’ve decided you’ve got to go. No doubt about it. Are you sure you don’t want to take a retirement deal?”
    “But this is entirely unfair,” I replied. “I spoke to Penelope earlier today. She said I should appeal against Pilkington. She tells me that the Appeal Committee is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and two other members drawn from Senate. Whatever I finally decide,” I declared, “I’m going to clear my name.”
    Magnus slumped in his chair and ate his tea cakes. They were sticky with