Setting a poor example

A university student asked her lecturer, Dr Paul Buchanan, at the University of Auckland in New Zealand for an assignment deadline to be extended following her father's death.

The lecturer not only refused but said she was "close to failing in any event" and should not rely on some sort of "Western liberal guilt" to get more time. Dr Buchanan's response was uncalled for; there was no need for him to make inappropriate comments to the grief-stricken student.

It makes us wonder, when did relationships between student and lecturer deteriorate to such a low level that the lecturer deems it acceptable to write in this manner?

Irrespective of the student's performance or Dr Buchanan's claim of recovering from surgery, he had no right to address his student in such a way.

The role of a lecturer extends beyond teaching and students look up to them for guidance. A lecturer should handle students with care and respect and not judge them according to their background or culture.

If anything, this incident has possibly caused permanent harm to the lecturer's reputation. The university's decision to swiftly investigate the incident and subsequently sack Dr Buchanan is commendable and sets a good example.