Paying for College - The Novel Page 10
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Two days later, I’m sitting on a leather couch in the anteroom at Dean Tremaine’s Office.
I glanced at the secretary as she reads a book on how to traverse the fifteen steps to become a great leader.
I cleared my throat and asked as I tapped my wristwatch, “Excuse me. It’s two fifteen. Where’s the Dean?”
She lowered her book and glared at me, “He’s in an important meeting.”
“I know, you already informed me that when I came here, but I thought that important meeting was with me.”
“The Dean’s a very busy man. He has many meetings throughout the day.”
“Thank you.”
The secretary returned to reading her book while I watched two flies procreate and create offspring on the edge of the secretary’s desk.
I waited, waited, and waited for the Dean. I glanced at the opened office door to the hallway and look for my remnants of breakfast that I had left there three weeks ago. Lucky for me, the janitors scrubbed the floor spotless, and my experimental breakfast was long gone.
At three thirty, the Dean strolled in through the office front door.
I rose.
The Dean saw me. Then he turned and said, “Good day, young man. I apologize for keeping you waiting.” He extended his hand for a handshake.
I shook his hand, “No problem.”
“Jeanine, did I receive any important phone calls?”
“Yes sir. Just two. Jim asked you to return his phone call, and your wife said don’t forget to buy potatoes on the way home tonight.”
The Dean looked at me, “Shall we discuss your story in my office, please.”
Following the Dean into his office, I glanced down at his shoes and saw a grass stain on the cuff of his trousers and several blades of grass stuck out from the soles of his shoes.
The Dean sat down behind his desk while I sat across from him.
I asked, “So how’s your golf swing?”
The Dean smiled. After an awkward pause, “I heard you are writing a story for the newspaper. How can I help you?”
“I’m here to research next year’s tuition hike.”
The dean scratched his chin, “I see.”
“How much did the board approve?”
“The board is still considering all the possibilities. Tuition could rise about ten percent, but that is just an estimate.”
“Ten percent?”
“Yes. The university has experienced unusual costs these last few years. The university must keep improving the quality of the education. Many buildings will be renovated, upgraded, and fitted with the latest technology. Furthermore, the university has experienced fewer freshmen entering the university.”
“So let me understand this correctly. The tuition hike has nothing to do with the construction of the new football stadium?“
The Dean jerked his head back as if I punched him in the mouth with Mike Tyson’s jab. “Sir, how dare you utter such words? Unfortunately, some members of our community must spread false rumors and gossip that holds no support with reality. The stadium’s construction cost has zilch to do with the tuition enhancement.”
The Dean leaned back in his chair and smiled. “You see, the athletics department has their own costs and revenues. The university does not subside the athletics department.”
“So no tuition dollars will be used to finance the new football stadium?”
“No tuition dollars had ever financed the athletic department, and nor will any dollars be used to build the new football stadium.”
I looked at the Dean as a grin spread from ear to ear. A politician’s smile.
“Won’t the tuition hike impact the low-income students?”
“Sir, I object to your terminology. You are confusing the terms tuition hike and tuition enhancement. Those are two separate words.”
“I apologize. Won’t the tuition enhancement impact the low-income students more?”
“We developed a contingency plan to aid the low-income students. The university understands and cares for all its students. The Financial Aid Office will raise the number of need-based scholarships and ensure the low-income students will not be burdened by the tuition enhancement.”
“That’s great. How much more scholarships will the university offer?”
The Dean raised his eyebrows, “You look familiar. Have we met before?”
I looked over and saw an antique alabaster chess game set up on an antique Victorian wooden table with a white marble top. The grey and olive green chess pieces looked hand carved.
The Dean continued. “I do believe we have met before.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Ah, I recall now – the freshmen welcoming party.”
“Oh, perhaps we did meet once before.”
The Dean shook his finger at me, “I believe you left early during my speech.”
I looked at him and shrugged my shoulders, “It was a long speech, sir.”
He continued, “I suppose an emergency had called you away.”
“Yes, that is it. I had a family crisis. That’s why I left early. Please sir, let’s return to our discussion of the scholarships again.”
The Dean stared at me.
“How much will the university contribute for new scholarships?”
“As I have already expounded, the responsibilities of the Financial Aid Office is to ensure every student receives the aid they require to attend the university. We are in the business of educating students. Where would the university’s future lie if we made our splendid education too expensive?”
“But you do see where I’m coming from? If the university raises an additional ten million in tuition revenue and increases scholarships by the same amount, then the university does not come out ahead?”
The Dean looked at his watch. “I apologize, prior engagements require my attention.”
“But I still have one more question. If the university raises tuition, could freshmen enrollment drop even more? Wouldn’t that exacerbate the financial crisis?”
“Excuse me, sir. I must attend a meeting.” Then the Dean pointed his index finger at me, “The university will not sacrifice a single student as it institutes its tuition enhancement next year. Good day. Please show yourself out.”
“Thank you for your time. Good day.”