A week in the life of... 
In the wake of the recent strategic realignment decision which will lead to developments in psychology and geography at Dundee and the transfer of subjects taught in the School of Management and Consumer Studies, to Abertay, MACS head of school, Moira Calder (pictured) opens her diary with part-time lecturer Mona Clark:
Day One: had unexpected difficulty getting along the corridor to my office today. A large crane was blocking the way. On inquiry I was told that the sculpture department were planning to start moving some of their public art pieces on to level six of the school.
Memo: must remind everyone that MACS will still be in existence as a fully functioning school for the next three years whilst the present degree programmes run their course.
Day Two: phone call from a national newspaper with a macabre interest in the affairs of Dundee University. Said they had a report of a number of "ghosts", in fact 220 no less, being seen regularly on the campus, all claiming to be undergraduate or MBA students of MACS. Suggested one of their reporters tried walking through a few of the ghosts, as I understand this tests a ghost's authenticity. Whoops! Another story "spiked".
Memo: must remind everyone that MACS will still be in existence as a fully functioning school for the next three years whilst the present degree programmes etc, etc, etc.
Day Three: met a colleague in the library today. Was asked what I intended doing next year. Funny question (too many committee meetings, no doubt, have addled her brain). What did she think I would be doing? As always, teaching, administering, assessing, attending committees within and outwith the school, personal tutoring, etc. Can't imagine how she thinks the school would function without staff input.
Memo: must remind everyone that MACS will still be in existence as a fully functioning school for the next three years, etc, etc, etc.
Day Four: confronted with queue of colleagues who appeared to have got the message that all the school's computers were to be put in a raffle, with the proceeds going to MACS staff's final binge. Pointed out that the computers will all be fully occupied for the next three years by both staff and students and that there was be no "final binge" for MACS staff, only the regular annual binge to celebrate the future and continuing success of our graduates.
Memo: must remind everyone that MACS will still be in existence as a fully functioning school etc, etc, etc.
Day Five: bumped into a student with a metre tape measuring up one of the classrooms. On inquiry, was informed he had been sent to work out how many drawing boards could fit into the room. Had to inform him that this room would be used for the next three years by MACS students studying organisational behaviour,
Memo: must remind everyone that MACS will still be in existence etc, etc, etc.
Day Six: Phone call from the medical school. Apparently they have a huge number of volunteers for their on-going chocoholic trials and they thought our training restaurant and kitchens would offer appropriate "hotel" facilities. Flattered that their impression of our environment was so positive, but no, we need these facilities for our own chocoholics for the next few years. However did cross my mind that, given that the money to build the Matthew Building was dependent upon subjects related to food and accommodation being taught there, perhaps chocoholics moving in after three years would go some way towards fulfilling this remit.
Memo: must remind everyone that MACS will still be etc, etc, etc.
Day Seven: had an awful dream last night - dreamt the staff won the lottery and I was the only one who hadn't bought a ticket!! When I woke I realised that's stupid - MACS never wins anything. Phew that was a bad moment.
Memo: must remind everyone etc, etc, etc.
Or to paraphrase Mark Twain "intimations of our death are GREATLY exaggerated".
Endnote: the School will be producing University of Dundee graduates until July 2003, who will be going through the present programmes presented by the same staff. The University of Abertay will be delivering programmes in hospitality management and food and consumer sciences from August 2000.
No, you can't have my office - I'm still using it!
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