My Brief Life as a Dean 

Night One: a man beats his child in the parking lot.
I phone the police, an ambulance, child protective services, our security guards.
 
Night Two: across the street, gang-bangers shoot a man as he stands on his lawn.
I phone the police, lock down one side of campus.
 
Night Three: a SWAT team raids the house where last night’s murder occurred.
I phone security, lock down one side of campus.
 
Night Four: a bleeding victim careens into our parking lot.
His bullet-shattered windshield disintegrates. I phone the police.
 
Night Five: the F.B.I. and Gang Task Force arrest three men
near the student center, search my hallway for hidden guns.
 
December: Eight shots kill a running man outside the campus garage.
I phone the police, lock down the entire campus, shake half the night.
 
 
February: a toxic lab sickens 26 people, including the instructor.
I phone security, order ambulances, yellow tape the classroom and hall.
 
March: a student is assaulted in a restroom by two men who hold a knife to his
throat,
steal his wallet, threaten to kill his entire family if he calls the police.
 
April: I am diagnosed with PTSD, put on medical leave, prescribed Valium and Lexapro.
May: my supervisor still refuses to alter my work schedule.
 
June 30: I submit a letter of resignation,
box my belongings, turn in their keys.

© Copyright 2010, Jennifer Lagier.
All Rights Reserved.