ter, signed by Henry, decreed that this was
supportive testimony and the hearing would reconvene in five days to
present this evidence formally to Diana. At that time she would be
given an opportunity to cross examine the so-called expert testimony of
the document examiner.

This time Henry was taking no chances. This time, the document
examiner was male.

Diana and her supporters were not terribly surprised by contents of the
package. It did, however, confirm that as far as the Belmont
administration was concerned, she would be convicted even if they had
to move heaven and earth to prove it.

The initial hearing of three days, the official protocol, the
declarations of good faith made by the panel members--all a sham.
She'd waited long enough. It was time to seek help outside of Belmont
U.

Part of her decision to take this path was made in response to the
outpouring of support from the staff, faculty and students of Belmont.
These people, many of whom felt repressed themselves, knew that there
was no way that justice or fairness could be brought about within the
university structure. Anyone who had experience with university
politics completely subscribed to the dubious accolade that university
politics were the meanest of all types known to exist.

Many were angry that the whole rotten business evolved around a mere
seven out of several hundred forms--all of which in the normal course
of events would have been ignored.

There was frustration as well. They felt helpless and many were
sickened at their lack of ability to effect any change. By sending
money to Diana, "to help with legal expenses," they could mitigate
their helplessness and their fear.

Efforts were initiated to bring the affair before the Faculty Senate
but they were quashed as soon as they started by the new Senate
president, former ombudsman, Jonathan Bambridge.

Trustees were approached by supporters as well as university alumni
groups. There was sympathy, but no one wanted to risk their position
against the very real power wielded by the administration.

Several women faculty went to the Pope and pleaded for him to
intercede. These were brave women. They took to the meeting with the
university president examples of many cases of proven misconduct that
had occurred on campus. In every case, no man had ever been
terminated. They reminded him that this was the first time at Belmont
that a termination for cause charge had been ma