they'll control you inside four walls
― P.S. Kumar
Grayson
After my last lecture for the day I headed to Warren McQuade's office. I wasn't thrilled about seeing him since the Funding Committee he headed always seemed at cross-purposes to the ideals of the university, in my opinion.
Last thing I wanted at the end of the day was to have a confrontation.
But when I entered the office I knew the meeting was going to be serious—Gordon Grayson was there, the lawyer who represented the university on all legal matters.
I saw my career pass before my eyes. This was not good.
Warren was being unusually courteous and formal, introducing Grayson and offering me coffee, which I refused.
Grayson looked irritated and fidgety as if eager to leave and get back to more important matters and personally, I wished he would.
"I called in Gordon to present a legal opinion," Warren began, "since I did receive an adverse report about you from one of our top corporate donors."
"What donor was that?" I asked
"Mace Blackwell made the complaint. As you know he's a wealthy and influential figure in the automotive industry and a generous supporter whom we rely upon to help us manage our bottom line."
"I don't know the man and I doubt he knows me."
Grayson suddenly spoke up. "This is not a personnel matter. Blackwell's concerned about your views on Student Voices and is worried about students steering university policy."
"I don't see how a student centred curriculum could detrimentally affect overall policy."
Grayson struggled to be patient. He spoke to me as if dealing with a truant student.
"Here's the deal. Blackwell is a Luddite—he mistrusts technology, hates computers and is absolutely against electric cars. He sees any liberalizing trend as threatening."
"So, are you saying the university should abandon ecology courses and anything that promotes concern for the environment and just have a top-down approach to learning with no student input?"
"I don't get into curriculum matters," he snapped irritably, "I just don't want a major donor alienated."
Warren intervened, "Thank you, Gordon, for your input—I know you're eager to get back to your zoning meeting—I can handle it from here."
Grayson nodded and left, saying nothing.
When he was out of the office, Warren turned to me. "So, you see how your views on student empowerment could threaten the viability of some of our programs, Jason?"
Again, the same patronizing attitude that galled me when Grayson confronted me.
"I can only see how student input into the learning environment would enhance our programs."
Warren's eyes flashed. "Let me speak frankly off record. If your views cause us to lose a portion of our donations, you could be out of a job and your academic reputation compromised. I don't think you want that. I'd give this conversation serious thought, if I were you."
I nodded. "I can promise you, Warren, I'll definitely do that," I said evenly, trying hard to contain my anger.
"Good, I hope we don't have a repeat of this conversation and can put the matter to rest."
I took a page out of Grayson's book—I nodded noncommittally and left without comment.
I needed to give this serious thought alright—I needed to see Breton and obtain sound advice.