Recently Elected Oxford Professor of Poetry Ruth Padel resigned

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/may/26/padel-error-poetry-election

Her historical feat lasted only for nine days. Ruth Padel, the first woman elected to hold the 300-year old Oxford University professor of poetry position. She quit her post last night. She was forced to resign by the “divided opinions” in the university. According to her, it was a “bad judgement” on her part that she sent e-mails to two journalists about the sexual harassment of her rival to the chairmanship post, Derek Walcott. In a press conference, she explained that she did what she did out of students concern on Walcott’s previous sexual harassment issues. She apologized to the Oxford University and to Walcott, whose work she “revered”. A new election will take place after the term of the incumbent professor of poetry Christopher Ricks is finished.

REACTION

Ruth Padel's intention to help the students is intriguing. I cannot help but think whether she was purely concerned with the students or she saw it as an opportunity for her to get the position.

Why of all [the] moments she could pick, she chose to send the e-mail about the sexual harassment case against Derek Walcott, during the election period for the Poetry professorship post. Why did she not wait until after the elections? Or why did she not go to the responsible authorities? Why e-mail it to the journalists? Now, she did not only loose her position but she also tainted her reputation. Indeed, a "bad judgement."