Can I Really Make An Appointment With You?

Pat comes into the office and checks the voice mail. Pat hears a confused student's voice on the line.

"Umm...I need to make an appointment with the adviser. I was told that I should call this number to make an appointment with the adviser. She has recorded on her voice mail to call this number so that's why I did. I guess I'll just leave a message here then...."

Pat wonders why students question whether or not they should actually be calling the department to make an appointment with the departmental adviser. Is that so strange a concept? Perhaps the student was confused because the extension went to voice mail. I'm calling to make an appointment but no one is answering. Didn't they say to call this number?

Pat checks the message details. The message was left the night before at 7:16pm. Did the student really expect someone to answer then to set up an appointment with her? Did she assume that an extension that makes an appointment was available 24/7?

Why all of the disbelief, Pat wonders. Pat is willing an able to make an appointment for the adviser. Student's need not question Pat's ability. It actually is part of Pat's job description unlike so many other things that students request....