Read Online Tuesday The Rabbi Saw Red by Harry Kemelman - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Harry Kemelman
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the degree by sitting under a number of instructors and then satisfying them that he has properly completed their courses of instruction. I am being paid to pass on some small part of the total. So if I don’t do my work thoroughly, I’m acting dishonestly. I’m cheating.”
“Cheating whom?”
“Cheating everyone who assumes the degree indicates a body of knowledge has been successfully assimilated.”
“You mean you are planning to flunk students who cut their Friday classes?”
“Those who don’t take the exams, or fail in them.”
“Very interesting. Ve ry interesting.” said Hendryx. “In a little while we’re supposed to submit to the dean’s office the names of all students who are failing at mid-semester. Do you intend to submit such a list?”
“If that’s the system, of course I shall comply. Don’t you?”
“Well, the last few years. I haven’t bothered with it much, as a matter of fact, last year I didn’t flunk anyone in any of my classes. But I expect you’re planning to.”
“If they do not pass the examinations. I will give a failure mark of course.”
“Well, all I can say; Rabbi, is that you’re going to have a very interesting year.”
Chapter Eight
The college bulletin appeared at the end of October following the semi-annual meeting of the trustees of Windemere Christian College. It was studied not only for what it included but for what it omitted. Thus, while it announced that Associate Professor Clyde had been appointed to full professor, the fact drew little interest; everyone knew that President Macomber was recommending him for the promotion and the trustees always followed the president’s recommendations.
On the other hand, considerable attention was paid to the omission of any mention of the appointment of a permanent head of the English department. Clearly, this suggested that Professor Hendryx, the acting head, was only on temporary assignment until the administration could find a more suitable candidate.
This delighted a considerable number of older members of the department and most of the younger, in sharp contrast to their reaction to another omission in the bulletin the reappointment of Assistant Professor Roger Fine. Fine was well-liked by most faculty members, but even those who did not hold him in high regard were displeased, since the reason was assumed to be purely political.
Albert Herzog, a young instructor in anthropology who was also an officer of the teachers’ union, sought out Fine. “Hey Rog, what’s this I hear about you being dropped at mid years?”
“I’m not being dropped, that’s when my contract runs out.”
“What’s that got to do with it? The job is there, they’ll have to get someone to replace you, as a matter of fact, I happen to know they’re planning to hire two men on your end of the ranking scale, instructors or assistant professors.”
“That may be.” said Fine, “but I was hired last February on a one-year contract, or two semesters, they let me teach summer session as well, so that’s three semesters. I don’t see that I’ve got any kick coming.”
“Well, a regular contract is Normally renewed from year to year. Macomber doesn’t have anything against you, does he?”
“Oh no.” said Fine quickly.
“Then that can mean only one thing that you’re being fired for your political activity, and if so, the union is not going to stand for it, we’ll demand a hearing.”
“Come on, Al, climb down,” said Fine. “The union’s contract with the school specifically permits the president to drop a man without a hearing as long as he’s not on tenure.”
“Only if it’s not for a political reason!” said Herzog, jabbing a bony finger to drive home the point. “He can fire you because he doesn’t like the way you comb your hair, but he can’t fire you for writing that article in The Windrift or for your support of the blacks, that’s political, and that’s specifically ruled out
“Cheating whom?”
“Cheating everyone who assumes the degree indicates a body of knowledge has been successfully assimilated.”
“You mean you are planning to flunk students who cut their Friday classes?”
“Those who don’t take the exams, or fail in them.”
“Very interesting. Ve ry interesting.” said Hendryx. “In a little while we’re supposed to submit to the dean’s office the names of all students who are failing at mid-semester. Do you intend to submit such a list?”
“If that’s the system, of course I shall comply. Don’t you?”
“Well, the last few years. I haven’t bothered with it much, as a matter of fact, last year I didn’t flunk anyone in any of my classes. But I expect you’re planning to.”
“If they do not pass the examinations. I will give a failure mark of course.”
“Well, all I can say; Rabbi, is that you’re going to have a very interesting year.”
Chapter Eight
The college bulletin appeared at the end of October following the semi-annual meeting of the trustees of Windemere Christian College. It was studied not only for what it included but for what it omitted. Thus, while it announced that Associate Professor Clyde had been appointed to full professor, the fact drew little interest; everyone knew that President Macomber was recommending him for the promotion and the trustees always followed the president’s recommendations.
On the other hand, considerable attention was paid to the omission of any mention of the appointment of a permanent head of the English department. Clearly, this suggested that Professor Hendryx, the acting head, was only on temporary assignment until the administration could find a more suitable candidate.
This delighted a considerable number of older members of the department and most of the younger, in sharp contrast to their reaction to another omission in the bulletin the reappointment of Assistant Professor Roger Fine. Fine was well-liked by most faculty members, but even those who did not hold him in high regard were displeased, since the reason was assumed to be purely political.
Albert Herzog, a young instructor in anthropology who was also an officer of the teachers’ union, sought out Fine. “Hey Rog, what’s this I hear about you being dropped at mid years?”
“I’m not being dropped, that’s when my contract runs out.”
“What’s that got to do with it? The job is there, they’ll have to get someone to replace you, as a matter of fact, I happen to know they’re planning to hire two men on your end of the ranking scale, instructors or assistant professors.”
“That may be.” said Fine, “but I was hired last February on a one-year contract, or two semesters, they let me teach summer session as well, so that’s three semesters. I don’t see that I’ve got any kick coming.”
“Well, a regular contract is Normally renewed from year to year. Macomber doesn’t have anything against you, does he?”
“Oh no.” said Fine quickly.
“Then that can mean only one thing that you’re being fired for your political activity, and if so, the union is not going to stand for it, we’ll demand a hearing.”
“Come on, Al, climb down,” said Fine. “The union’s contract with the school specifically permits the president to drop a man without a hearing as long as he’s not on tenure.”
“Only if it’s not for a political reason!” said Herzog, jabbing a bony finger to drive home the point. “He can fire you because he doesn’t like the way you comb your hair, but he can’t fire you for writing that article in The Windrift or for your support of the blacks, that’s political, and that’s specifically ruled out
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