When It Rains, It Pours...

Of all the times to have to deal with one of the most serious matters a Community Director can deal with, mine came on April Fools' Day. A resident came to me, obviously bothered by something. He informed me that in February he should have received a letter from his mother containing a money order for a couple hundred dollars. When he never received it he had her report it missing and track it down. The money order had indeed been cashed. Unfortunately the name on the money order was that of one of my employees.

Of course, University and Metropolitan Police were called in to pursue the matter. Because it was an on-campus affair involving only students, the Metropolitan officer left and told our officer to lead the matter. The employee of course denies everything, but the resident has a photocopy of the cashed money order with both his name and what appears to be his signature.

This is one of those times when I hate doing the things that I sometimes have to do. My hands are tied on this one and I have to let the investigation run its course. And of course there are two investigations. One by the University to determine what happens to the student on an academic level, and one by the United States Postal Police concerning unauthorized mail opening and the cashing of a government issued monetary instrument.

I like the employee. I've known him for almost two years. He has been a good worker and a resident that I've always thought would do well. Because of the distance I TRY to maintain as a Community Director, I wouldn't say that we are friends, but probably as close as I would come to being friends with a resident. I've talked to him. He's a very likable person and I've never had problems with him before. He volunteers his time. He helps out when I ask him too and he spends a lot of time in service to others.

I've already had to temporarily relieve him of his front desk duties and warn him that he will be facing an investigation. Tomorrow I have to find him a new place to live and see what's next. He could be expelled over $400, and I would have to assist in the process. No matter how it goes, it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth...

Legal Note: Opinions in this post are my own and not representative of the university I work for or the people I work under. All suppositions, presumptions, theories, hypotheses, etc. are my own. This blog is for entertainment purposes only, blah blah blah. There are purposely no names included in this post, and I have revealed nothing that violates either general expectations of privacy or the University confidentiality agreement, which, actually... I never signed anyway. All of that is to say...don't be trying to sue me.