I stood before the board the next morning with three documents in my hands and no prepared speech.
The meeting room was full. Students filled the back benches. The greenhouse staff sat together near the door. Elias took the chair beside me. Maura stood behind the board table.
Mrs. Halloway opened the meeting by announcing that the board would reconsider Elias's housing status.
I placed the certified notice on the table.
"This says his room will be reassigned because his housing extension wasn't approved," I said. "The practicum rules say he is entitled to an additional month if either partner ends the process. He has not ended it."
Mrs. Halloway adjusted the papers in front of her. "The board believes the rules permit discretion in cases involving Conservatory resources."
"They don't
