I have met "The Professor" several times, mostly through mutual friends. She taught at a major University in New York City. She was, by all accounts, a very popular and beloved teacher.
I learned recently that The Professor was no longer teaching. I doubt that there was "cause" for her leaving -- certainly her departure was not the result of a decline in her class enrollment or because of budget cuts.
The popular teacher was forced to retire because of a mandatory retirement age policy. At least, that was the explanation that I was given. I find it hard to believe -- especially in the world of academia. But whether this was, in fact, the reason, or not, it gives me reason to consider the concept of "mandatory retirement".
I have seen the concept of mandatory retirement rear its head (I'll leave the editorial comment of whether it's "ugly" or not to you) more-frequently of late. More and more, I see that people who come upon mandatory retirement age find themselves not ready to retire. Oftentimes, their colleagues don't want to them to leave.
Many issues and many dynamics.
I am saddened that the Professor will no longer be teaching. Sorry for her and for the many students who are being deprived of learning from her.
Mandatory retirement? Maybe its time has also come?