>Dear Dr X
>
>I just spoke your tutee Fred* with regard to the
>course Introduction to Politics and International Relations ,
>for which you signed him up on the database.
>
>I'm afraid that we are not able to allow Fred to join the course
>at this stage. The course is full and we had to turn away a great many
>students in the first few weeks of the semester. You should not have
>been able to register Fred but sign up on the database seems to have
>been re-opened in error. I have now rectified this.
>
>Please de-register Fred from the course as soon as possible.
>
>I apologise for any inconvenience this will cause.
Reply (CCd to course convenor AND student)
Dear
Thanks for your e-mail. Fortunately, this is the only case I've encountered where I've registered a directee for an apparently open course one week and been told the following week that the course has been closed to enrollments all this time. I'm really glad this kind of case seems to be unusual, because otherwise the job of advising and registering my directees might become practically impossible.
I'll remove Fred* from both Politics courses posthaste - although what courses I'm going to sign him up for at this stage of the term are maybe less clear to me.
Al best wishes,
Dr X
My reply (after having calmed down and redrafted it 3 times)
Dear X
I am unsure how enrolments were open again as I had to close them off on day 3 of Freshers' Week due to the course being over-subscribed.
I again apologise for any inconvenience this will cause to you but I must also say that I think it was entirely inappropriate for you to have copied your tutee into the reply below.
May I suggest you take a look at the Netiquette guidelines published on the Information Services website? These are some simple points which are designed to help you communicate effectively using computers, and avoid misunderstandings and bad feelings.
Reply
Dear ,
Thank you for your e-mail. I would be more inclined to accept your apology for the inconvenience caused to my directee (and myself) had you adopted a rather different close to your last message. Pardon me but I'm not yet entirely convinced I need any pointers on effective communication via e-mail or the etiquette thereof.
Effective management of the database is another strategy which can greatly reduce the risk of generating of bad feeling.
All best,
Dr X
And then....
Dear ,
Just as a pendant to my last, I would have you note that I gave my e-mail reply only the circulation that you gave to your original message. Consequently, I really do not believe that I have done anything inappropriate.
All best,
Dr X
The reply I want to send....
Dear Dr X
You, sir, are a f*cking arsehole.
Sigh. The first rule of the guidelines I sent this arrogant piece of crap?
1. There are People on the Other Side of Your Screen
It's very easy to see yourself talking to a computer when you're typing a message. Computers are unemotional, unthinking machines, and you can't upset them. But you aren't talking to computers: you are communicating with people!
If you send a message to an open system such as a mailing list or Usenet, people anywhere in the world may read what you type. Keep this in mind. People can and do get upset at certain things. Make the content and the tone of your messages appropriate to the people who you can reasonably expect to read them.
Should I forward that to him? I would if I thought it was worth it!!!
2 comments:
Anyone who signs off 'all best' is bound to be an arse!
The more times I read his replies the more angry I get.. he's like a bloody dog with a bone, or a rag to a bull - he's really antagonsing.
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