Academic common room
Quick help - contacted the wrong external examiner
DirtyDennis · 31/05/2019 14:49
I've got a PhD student submitting soon so I'm contacting examiners.
I contacted someone this morning (hasn't replied yet) but then realised that she's totally and completely inappropriate for reasons I wasn't aware of before I contacted her.
Should I wait until she gets back to me before kindly telling her she's not needed. And when I do tell her she's not needed, how do I tell her this?
Shall I spin her some bullshit about there being a delay to the thesis and then just never contacting her again, which is bad form and makes me look a twat? Or shall I be honest about her being inappropriate, in which case she'd surely wonder why the holy fuck I contacted her in the first place, which also makes me look a twat?
Fortunately it's not hugely my area/discipline so it's not a huge issue if I do make a bit of a twat of myself but I don't want the awkwardness.
Please help!
NoCureForLove · 31/05/2019 14:51
Just email her again now before she replies and say you contacted her in error. Apologise but dont give some big explanation. Not a big deal.
SleepWarrior · 31/05/2019 14:53
Don't make yourself look silly for no reason.
Either say you contacted in error or that a change in the situation means she is no longer needed, sorry for the bother.
DirtyDennis · 31/05/2019 14:53
@NoCureForLove
How does this sound (really wanky?) :
Dear Prof X.
Please accept my apologies, I sent this email in error.
Dirty Dennis
DirtyDennis · 31/05/2019 14:54
Dear Prof X
Please accept my apologies, since I emailed you this morning, there's been a change in the student's situation so please ignore my last email.
Apologies for any confusion or inconvenience
Dirty Dennis
NoCureForLove · 31/05/2019 14:58
They're both / all fine. Don't lie though- change in student's situation- no need!
PCohle · 31/05/2019 14:58
The bottom one sounds fine, although I'd say disregard rather than ignore.
cordeliavorkosigan · 31/05/2019 14:59
THe bottom one is fine. I wouldn’t give it a second thought if i were her and received this.
DirtyDennis · 31/05/2019 14:59
Okay, I sent it
Thanks for your help - sorry for my panic!
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