Victoria was livid. “It would be nice if you showed that professionalism towards your scholarly peer.”

“Yes, well, the committee will get to your business when the time comes. In the meantime, we’ve got more pressing issues to address.”

She ignored him and directed her attention to the rest of the committee. “Who among you has a question regarding my proposal? You will see that it benefits the university with no additional cost to the students or our budget, and it will strengthen community ties. If students can give their time to the public library, it will cover their service hours and prepare them for future careers in literacy.

“You never know if one of these students decides to further their education in Social Work, Political Science, or even Biology. These subjects are not mutually exclusive, right? Pembroke insists on teaching students about interdisciplinary studies; why not start with the library?”

When she finished, they looked from her to the proposal she gave them. “I really don’t see what the problem is,” Sydney said. “I show up to these committee meetings every week and deal with more complexities in brand new courses. This is pretty simple.”

Victoria gave her a small smile before turning to Marcus. “What do you think?”

Marcus shrugged. “I agree with Sydney. There’s nothing controversial about letting kids work at a library.”

“We can’t approve anything without Linda from History,” Williams said in a flat voice. “It’s not fair to her.”

Victoria tried to hide her grin as she pulled an email from her folder. “I’ve already reached out to her. She’s interested.”

Williams took the email and pulled out his reading glasses to glance through it. “Even if we give the go-ahead, that doesn’t mean that the provost will approve it.”

He was losing ground and it was making him uncomfortable. Victoria knew quiet desperation when she saw it. “I’m well aware of the process, Kenneth. But I’m planning a meeting with both the provost and President regarding the Four-Week Initiative.”

Williams removed his glasses and gave Victoria a cold stare. “I move that we table this issue and come back to it next time we meet.”

“And when is that?”

“In two weeks, I believe.”

By that time, twenty people would have beaten her to the punch and the school would be stuck with some frivolous initiative like a new dodgeball team. Victoria gathered her emotions and stuffed them deep down in the pit of anger she seldom released. “What’s to stop you from signing off on it now?” she asked, clenching her fists under the table.