Never expect a fair shake in Neptune...
"I am sorry Ms Mackenzie but the Universities policy is quite clear." Professor Stevens sighed crossing his arms over his chest.
"I see," Mac swiped at a stray tear and forced herself to nod.
Was this really happening?
After she received an eviction notice from their apologetic RA Courtney Parker had accompanied her to student services.
"But you said that Dick Casablanca's couldn't do this. I mean.. you literally said two days ago, that he couldn't." Parker argued.
Hearst faculty had elected Mac's Professor as their representative to discuss her housing situation after the Tim Foyle situation and their decision to revoke her scholarship. Unless she could come up with an alternate financial arrangement, then she was effectively being expelled.
Her mind felt stuck in one gear.
How was she going to face her parents with this?
What happens now?
"Mr Casablancas could not force the removal of Ms Mackenzie's scholarship but as a distinguished member of our donor board and a patron of our Greek Student Council here at Hearst, he is permitted to instigate a petition of concern if he feels a recipient of such a scholarship violates their moral obligation clause." Professor Stevens explained handing over an official document and a copy of a form Mac recalled from her student enrolment form baring her signature.
"Moral Obligation Clause?" Parker said scrunching up her nose.
"A set of restrictions placed on students by the donors which is legally binding and lays out clearly the conduct and responsibilities of the scholarship which recipients are to adhere in exchange for assistance." He said and Mac felt like she was going to slip between the cracks of the gloomy central foyer as she read over the list.
Students agree to adhere to University policy as set forth by the administration, to conduct themselves in a manner befitting academic excellence.
Student is to to maintain a class attendance over 85% and grades will not fall below 78 percentile.
Student agrees to begin repayment of scholarship if financial situation removes the hardship component of their needs assessment.
Student agrees to refrain from narcotics, underage drinking, offensive opinions, bullying and sexual misconduct and to comply with all laws in the State of California.
"But he withdrew his complaint, surely someone could call him?" Parker exclaimed. "He wouldn't want this!"
Her voice was getting louder and they were beginning to gather an audience but Mac's world felt like it were blackening around the edges, curling at the corners like an old photograph.
"The University has decided to continue the review given recent events… and it has been concluded by the Ethics Committee that Ms Mackenzie has desecrated her morality obligation given her recent actions. The matter has been referred to a debt recovery and her housing spot has been reallocated. " Professor Stevens declared.
"Reallocated?" Mac asked quietly. Even if Dick were to un-pull whatever strings he'd plucked, it was too late.
There was no time to stop this. The dominoes had fallen…it was too late.
"Enrolment at Hearst is suspended until arrangements can be made to cover the cost of tuition but that is under-review." Professor Stevens told Mac solemnly.
She looked waxen, and pale.
Her dad had already taken out a loan before Christmas to cover the repairs to the roof.
Without her scholarship… without her status as a student… she wouldn't qualify under her parents health insurance…
"When she hacked into our secure server network illegally and potentially compromised security footage now central to two murder investigations, and prompted a shooting here on campus. We hope there are no hard feelings, but the University has to act in the best interests for the safety of its students." Stevens said simply adjusting his horn-rimmed glasses, aware of the students standing nearby streaming the incident to Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. "Frankly Ms Mackenzie, even if convince the Hearst disciplinary board to overturn the decision your ah…. Situation as notified to us by Student Health Services makes such a decision highly unlikely."
Situation.
A pregnant college drop out…
"You're kicking her out because a member of this faculty tried to kill her and shot her boyfriend?" Parker demanded glaring at the older man, her eyes narrowed into blazing-blue slits.
Anyone else would have cheered her in helping catch a killer but these were different times, and 2nd amendment rights and increased mass shootings had created unprecedented form of accountability, and liability.
This was Neptune after all, and they were punishing Mac knowing her families financial situation to avoid a future lawsuit.
"Thanks for the pep talk!" Parker said sarcastically as the Professor made his excuses and left.
Mac settled her hand on her roommates shoulder, and tried to encourage her to stop, mindful of their audience.
Her entire future… just erased in the most final way possible…
Expelled.
