I solemnly swear that the testimony I am about to give...

To: Administration
CC: Dr. G., Dr. P., R.B. (Head of Security)
From: Me
Re: The incidents of 02-22-06 in the English tutoring office
Date: March 1, 2006


The Incidents of February 22

Student M approached English tutor, Ms. O at approximately 10:30 on the morning of February 22, 2006. Ms. O was tutoring that day and stationed at the front desk. I was not currently on the clock as a tutor but was sitting at the rear desk preparing for my classes. His manner was rather short and I remember this specifically because I thought that he addressed Ms. O in a rude style. Ms. O requested that he make the corrections suggested by his teacher and bring back a clean copy of his paper to her for further revisions. She attempted to explain to him the benefit of this method. He refused and insisted that she look at the paper as it was. While he was speaking to her, his voice was raised in volume and he continued to speak to Ms. O in an inappropriate manner. I came from my cubicle and, in an attempt to defuse the situation, advised Ms. O to go ahead and work with the paper in hand. At that time, I informed Student M that we were here to help him and that he was being hardheaded. I returned to my station and heard Student M tell Ms. O to give him his “shit” back. He left the office without further interaction. A few moments after he removed himself, Dr. G entered the office to speak with me regarding another matter. I advised Dr. G of the situation and the actions of both myself and Student M.

Approximately 15-25 minutes later, Student M returned to the office with a revised, clean copy of his essay. His manner was rigid but no longer as rude and angry as he had been previously. Ms. O and I worked with him for approximately two and a half to three hours, concluding at nearly two p.m. During this time, Student M made several remarks indicating that his teacher was not grading him fairly but was not discourteous to Ms. O or myself. I suggested that he speak with his teacher but he said that he felt he could not speak to her and that when he tried, she would “blow him off.” I informed him that, were he unhappy with his grade, he could appeal his class grade or ask to have his papers reviewed by Dr. G. He left our interaction on almost pleasant terms, thanked me for my help and advised us that he would return after making revisions to have his paper looked over again.

Student M did indeed return to the office. I entered the office at approximately four p.m. and he was working with Ms. O.H. (a different O. than before) on his paper. I spoke with him briefly and he asked me if Dr. G was in his office. I stated that it was my belief Dr. G would be gone because of the lateness of the hour and that he should wait to see what his grade was before speaking with him. Student M stated that he could/would not wait because he could not afford to fail the class. At this point his manner was tense but our interaction was quite civil. I walked Student M upstairs to show him where Dr. G’s office was located. It happened that Dr. G was in his office speaking with Ms. L. Despite the fact that Dr. G was obviously meeting with someone, he threw himself dramatically against the door and said, “Dr. G, I need your help!” He then opened the door and asked if Dr. G had time to meet with him. Dr. G advised him that he was meeting with Ms. L and then he would be leaving for the day. Student M asked if he could give Dr. G something to read at home that evening. Dr. G replied that he could and Student M left to collect his papers from downstairs. I spoke to Dr. G for a few moments and returned downstairs in time to see Student M leaving with his papers. At this time he shook my hand and thanked me for all of my help.

I sat down and began working again. A few minutes later, Ms. L came into the office and informed us that Student M had come into Dr. G’s office and insisted that Dr. G read his papers rather than taking them home with him. Approximately 15-20 minutes after Ms. L arrived in the office, Student M came through the door. At this point, I was standing in the middle of the office between the front and rear desks. Student M entered the office and immediately headed in my direction. He walked toward me and put his finger in the vicinity of my face stating that Dr. G had refused to read his paper and that it was my fault because I had unfairly prejudiced Dr. G against him by informing him of our conflict earlier that morning. He went on to say, still with his finger in my face, that I had provoked him by calling him “hardheaded.” At this point, Ms. L became involved in the conversation. I believe her intervention came both as a desire to speak on my behalf and as a result of her frustrations due to him interrupting her meeting with Dr. G. The situation quickly escalated as both parties raised their voices. Student M became increasingly aggressive, at one point making a fist and slapping it against his palm in Ms. L’s direction. At this point, I took Ms. L with me to speak with Dr. G. I wanted to inquire as to Dr. G’s reasons for, as Student M had stated to us, refusing to even read his paper. I took Ms. L with me in an attempt to separate them and defuse the situation.

When we arrived at Dr. G’s office, he was putting on his coat. I inquired as to what had transpired between the two gentlemen. Dr. G asked if he was still in the office. I informed Dr. G he was currently in the office working with Ms. O.H. Ms. L and I followed him down to the tutoring office. I was in the hall and did not visually see anything that transpired inside of the office. I heard Dr. G ask Student M if he was in the office bothering the tutoring staff. I heard no response and I did not see if Student M responded in any way with his body language. I then heard Dr. G state that he was going to contact security. Dr. G then left the office and headed down the stairs. I entered the office and sat down. Ms. L came to stand in the doorway but did not speak. Student M turned in Ms. L’s direction and said, “You trick ass bitch!” Ms. L angrily replied that he could not speak to her in that manner. He put his finger in her face and replied that he had “already stepped in some shit” and that he would “do whatever he pleased now.” Ms. L repeatedly told Student M to remove his hand from her face and advised him she would call security who would “have him out of here in under two minutes.” Student M refused to remove his hand and told her that she “thinks she has so much pull around here” but that she “wasn’t shit.” Ms. L left to get security and Student M followed her out of the office. During this last interaction between Ms. L and Student M he was not aggressive towards myself, although I find his behavior toward Ms. L to be inappropriate and quite aggressive. I was later told by Ms. L. that Student M had threatened the tutoring staff and herself by stating that, "He was going to jail tonight" because he intended to "beat someone's ass" and that we "had better watch our asses" when leaving campus at night.

I feel that disciplinary action is required in the case of Student M. Threats, whether stated or implied, should not be tolerated by {name of the school for which I work} . I am willing to testify in any hearing held by the administration. Thank you.

LLH