Crossword Genius

Gives the fellow a different seat (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

donates

'gives' is the definition.
(donating is a kind of giving)

'fellow a different seat' is the wordplay.
'fellow' becomes 'don' (both can mean an academic).
'a different' is an anagram indicator (letters placed in a different order).
'seat' with letters rearranged gives 'ates'.
'don'+'ates'='DONATES'

'the' is the link.

(Other definitions for donates that I've seen before include "Offers free" , "Gives to good cause" , "gifts" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Telegraph.
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