And even if she could start over, she fears no instructor would have her after the problems that arose with her last sponsor, even though she is a top student in the biology department. She says Burrus has attempted to turn the story around, making herself appear the victim. The two, who are close in age, had become friends during the time they worked together, sharing personal as well as scientific information. But Carroll says that when their relationship soured, Burrus told John Hafernik, the department chair, that she had tried, and failed, to maintain a strictly professional relationship with Carroll, and that she feared for her physical safety. Carroll says Burrus' accusations have ruined her reputation in the department, where she has been respected by students and faculty alike for her years of experience in the field and because she excels in her studies.
Professors are in a critical power position.
We rely on them for references, for jobs. Neither Burrus nor Hafernik responded to telephone calls placed to their offices by the Gater. And for Carroll, everything else did fail. She took her problem to Hafernik, but says he refused to hear her side, instead aligning himself with Burrus. She sought help from the graduate student representative and Joe Julian, dean of human relations, to no avail.