7. Chapter Seven #2
I kept a smile pasted on my face as my brain yelled in frustration. I felt Mason’s hand at my elbow. “I’m glad you’ve finally had a change of heart,” I said through my teeth.
“Did you know we only use fifty percent of our classroom space because it’s not accessible to students with disabilities?” Dr. Fairfax said as she took a sip of her martini.
I blinked, not sure how to respond to her repeating data I had given her in the space committee meeting where they decided how to allot space on campus. “Yes, I’m the one who had Mee pull that data for our presentation to the space committee.”
Mee, the head of the Registrar’s office, was my greatest ally within the administration.
She and I had been combing through data for months to put together the report Dr. Fairfax was now explaining to me.
She had found another job shortly after I graduated and we still kept in touch.
I had worked with her at other universities to help increase accessibility.
Dr. Fairfax continued without batting an eye.
“Not maximizing the space we have means we are losing money. We can’t accept more students, schedule more sections of classes, and students get frustrated with their experience, thus increasing their chance of transferring.
It’s going to take years to become a better ranked university and get federal research grants, so we have to rely on tuition until then. ”
I turned to Mason and blinked a few times. This, again, was information I had shared at a meeting being repeated back to me as if that wasn’t my research.
Dr. Fairfax wasn’t finished though. “I’ve been looking into some grants and zero-interest loans for accessibility improvements.
I believe we can make construction a priority and maybe even rebuild one of the dorms if we can convince the Woodhouse Family to foot the bill.
The one we built with their original donation is now the worst dorm on campus and the least accessible.
A new dorm means we can attract better students and charge more. ”
Dr. Fairfax’s mouth moved, but I could only hear the pounding of my heart. I considered going to the bathroom, but we were placed at a table at the opposite end of the restaurant and getting there was an obstacle course. Then again, that would kill twenty minutes.
“Now that both of you are finishing up your degrees, I know you’ll be strong candidates for the jobs we’re going to open,” Dr. Fairfax said, catching my attention.
“They’ll have to hire someone new to replace me and we’re ready to post three other jobs.
It’s nice to know both of you are committed to staying with Lacock State. ”
I was taken aback by the comment and my mind reeled. “I’m not looking for a job in academia,” I quickly said.
Dr. Fairfax zeroed in on me with narrowed eyes. “What do you mean?” she asked in a low, even voice.
I looked to Mason who was staring at his plate. He gripped his fork and his jaw was tight. I was confused. He knew I had my own plans outside of academia. I thought everyone on campus knew.
“Why,” Lois Fairfax continued when I didn’t respond, “would you get a PhD if you don’t want to work in academia?”
I took a deep breath and pursed my lips.
I was feeling combative and irritated. “I did it on the advice of Grace who felt it would give me the authority and expertise to do the advocacy work I’m already doing.
It’s been working very well as I publish and develop relationships.
My impending degree has resulted in more people taking me seriously.
There are already hints, from the organizations I’m working with, that I will be offered plenty of jobs. ”
This seemed to kill the evening. Soon Dr. Fairfax got a call and left the table, leaving us to take care of the bill.
I put it on my credit card, wondering how I could figure out how to write it off my taxes.
We drove home in silence. I didn’t understand what had happened, but it wasn’t good.
That night had been the beginning of the end for Mason and me.
“Does this mean he’ll be out of a job?” I asked.
Grace sighed and took a sip of her wine.
I knew she was buying some time to think of how to be political about it.
This is what had eaten away at my relationship with Mason.
It had been Lois who convinced him that the security of tenure at a university was better than my tenuous plan to start a non-profit that barely had financial support.
I was sure she had played on his other anxieties like being close to his grandparents, but she had been aggressive about the job security of academia.
“You don’t have to crouch your language with me,” I reminded her. “I already dislike the entire situation.”
She gave me a small smile. “It’s so complicated, Penny. He won’t know the final results until this summer. Then he’ll have a year to make plans.”
I nodded and started to play with my cocktail napkin. “There’s another committee before it gets to Lois, right?”