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The Unknown Student
In many jobs, the employees gather around the water
cooler to visit. In our department, we gather around the
secretary’s desk. It has been the same at every university
where I have taught. Our discussions often center around
the amusing things the students do. At one university I
worked at, the secretary, Deanne, told an interesting story.
She had worked in the cashiers office for a time. She
said that, one day, she received a call from a father who
was a little bit concerned. He said that his daughter had
informed him he still owed the more than $1200 of her
tuition.
He said he was sure he had paid it already, and asked
Deanne to check. Deanne asked his name to track the
payment.
“Oh,” he said, “it wouldn’t be listed under my name,
it would be listed under hers. I always write the checks to
her, and then she pays what she owes. That teaches a child
responsibility, you know.”
“Okay,” Deanne asked, “what is your daughter’s
name?”
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