No
Support for Immigrant Students
I
know that there has been little to no support with this
administration in working with the growing immigrant community and in
helping them be prepared for college unless it is to train them for
manufacturing jobs … Now the classes supporting these classes have
been cut with no other option available.
This is greatly overstated. There are numerous immigrant students enrolled at SCC in readiness classes, liberal arts courses and technical programs. Although it's true that two EAP (English for Academic Purposes) courses were canceled this semester due to low enrollment, it doesn't follow that SCC provides “little to no support” for immigrant students. Also, the claim that “the only employees protected ... are those who support the administration without question” is simply false. I've criticized the administration very explicitly in the past, as have several other faculty members whose jobs are not in jeopardy.
This is greatly overstated. There are numerous immigrant students enrolled at SCC in readiness classes, liberal arts courses and technical programs. Although it's true that two EAP (English for Academic Purposes) courses were canceled this semester due to low enrollment, it doesn't follow that SCC provides “little to no support” for immigrant students. Also, the claim that “the only employees protected ... are those who support the administration without question” is simply false. I've criticized the administration very explicitly in the past, as have several other faculty members whose jobs are not in jeopardy.
Fear
and Intimidation through Job Terminations
Of the 40 or
so individuals included in the list of employees who were “fired or
forced to leave or who have left because of deplorable conditions,”
at least eight are still teaching at the college. One was not
retained because of credentialing issues, and three others retired.
Four of the staff members listed are still working at SCC, and five
left for better positions elsewhere. Four were let go because they
were deemed ineffective at their job (a view which was widely held).
Although I'm not familiar with the circumstances regarding several of
the others, I'm only aware of actual controversy surrounding the exit
of three individuals—7.5% of the total. This hardly seem
scandalous.
South
Central College and Accreditation: Storms on the Horizon?
Who
is doing it now? You want the short and long answer? A consultant
living in West Virginia is doing our reporting to HLC for us.
This “consultant” has worked at SCC for many years and was/is a valued employee. She agreed to continue part time in that position after moving with her family.
This “consultant” has worked at SCC for many years and was/is a valued employee. She agreed to continue part time in that position after moving with her family.
We
had an administrator who was an HLC Peer Reviewer. This means that he
traveled around the country reviewing other colleges accreditation
efforts. He was an invaluable resource that Annette Parker chose to
ostracize, misuse, and ultimately terminate for no reason. Well,
other than the fact that Jay hated him. Historians. What can you do?
Although I have concerns about how and why Dean Fors was let go, he and the administration had serious differences of opinion which made if difficult for him to continue in his position. The claim that he was terminated because “Jay hated him” is flatly false. For the record, it's common for new college presidents to get rid of all administrators and start fresh. Dr. Fors was retained for a year and a half because of his impressive record and support from many of the faculty members he supervised.
Although I have concerns about how and why Dean Fors was let go, he and the administration had serious differences of opinion which made if difficult for him to continue in his position. The claim that he was terminated because “Jay hated him” is flatly false. For the record, it's common for new college presidents to get rid of all administrators and start fresh. Dr. Fors was retained for a year and a half because of his impressive record and support from many of the faculty members he supervised.
Hiring
Issues
Only
the President will make all hiring decisions from now on – from the
janitors, to the faulty to the Deans and Vice Presidents. The hiring
committees can only recommend three candidates and if she doesn’t
like those three she will go through the pool of applicants and
choose her own or fail the search. It has been made very clear that
no one has the authority but her.
The college President has *always* possessed this authority—it's in the contract. He or she decides what role (if any) hiring committees will play in the process, and procedures vary greatly among MNSCU institutions. That said, SCC recently hired the Math instructor who was recommended by the search committee.
The college President has *always* possessed this authority—it's in the contract. He or she decides what role (if any) hiring committees will play in the process, and procedures vary greatly among MNSCU institutions. That said, SCC recently hired the Math instructor who was recommended by the search committee.
Leadership
Lacking Ability
Low
enrollment, programs offering certifications in fields you don't need
them in, money poured into Faribault campus that's non-existent ….
Enrollment at SCC is down 3% compared to last Spring, which is less than the drop at almost every other college in the system. If we are in fact offering certifications in fields that don't require them, I doubt we'll do so very long—students won't pay certifications they don't need! The money spent on Faribault was dictated by a bonding bill submitted by the previous President, Keith Stover. Dr. Parker has proposed a comparable investment in the North Mankato campus.
Enrollment at SCC is down 3% compared to last Spring, which is less than the drop at almost every other college in the system. If we are in fact offering certifications in fields that don't require them, I doubt we'll do so very long—students won't pay certifications they don't need! The money spent on Faribault was dictated by a bonding bill submitted by the previous President, Keith Stover. Dr. Parker has proposed a comparable investment in the North Mankato campus.
Reflections
from the Cellblock
History
dictates that the easiest way to overcome an enemy is to divide and
conquer. Well, we are divided, and we may be conquered because of
it.
If
this is true, it's because of personal attacks like those launched by
“Georgia Fayne” and unfounded accusations leveled against the
union. I find it quite ironic that she (or he) claims to be “the
quiet one on the row” and proceeds to criticize me, Jay and Peter
for discussing our coworkers “in belittling and disparaging
fashions.” What, exactly, is “Georgia” doing? At least I have
the courage to state my position forthrightly instead of posting
anonymous and inaccurate rants.
Jay
spent a good amount of our fall union meetings defending Annette
Parker and her administration’s actions at union meetings …
Annette also gave him power (or a feeling of power) by 'including'
him on some decisions, such as which administrative personnel had to
go.
As explained in my comments at the bottom of this page, the union has repeatedly and successfully challenged the administration. Should faculty representatives *not* be included in decisions? Were we better off under the previous administration, when faculty requests (like the reinstatement of Department Chairs) were routinely ignored? If the majority of the faculty are dissatisfied with Jay and Darci's leadership, they can be removed with a two-thirds vote of union members. If she (or he) is confident that most faculty agree with her, I'd encourage “Georgia” to pursue this course of action and stand for President herself (or himself). Will faculty be better served by an intransigent representative who assumes the worst about Dr. Parker's motivations and regards her as the enemy? I sincerely doubt it.
As explained in my comments at the bottom of this page, the union has repeatedly and successfully challenged the administration. Should faculty representatives *not* be included in decisions? Were we better off under the previous administration, when faculty requests (like the reinstatement of Department Chairs) were routinely ignored? If the majority of the faculty are dissatisfied with Jay and Darci's leadership, they can be removed with a two-thirds vote of union members. If she (or he) is confident that most faculty agree with her, I'd encourage “Georgia” to pursue this course of action and stand for President herself (or himself). Will faculty be better served by an intransigent representative who assumes the worst about Dr. Parker's motivations and regards her as the enemy? I sincerely doubt it.
Jay,
who was rarely on campus before, was suddenly on campus every day and
was actively talking to members, preaching the religion of Annette.
As union President, Jay walks around campus speaking to the faculty members he represents. Should he remain in his office instead? Should he actively disparage Dr. Parker because a small number of faculty hold very negative opinions of her? Again, if “Georgia” is convinced that the “disgruntled minority” (in my terms, the “radical fringe”) actually constitute the majority, I encourage her (or him) to step up and lead instead of sniping from the sidelines. Please, have the courage of your convictions and stand behind your statements.
As union President, Jay walks around campus speaking to the faculty members he represents. Should he remain in his office instead? Should he actively disparage Dr. Parker because a small number of faculty hold very negative opinions of her? Again, if “Georgia” is convinced that the “disgruntled minority” (in my terms, the “radical fringe”) actually constitute the majority, I encourage her (or him) to step up and lead instead of sniping from the sidelines. Please, have the courage of your convictions and stand behind your statements.
One
last thing to discuss, which again was something I silently took
umbrage to, was our grievance rep’s statement at our last meeting
regarding the need to work together and get along with
administration. That is fine, until you become a union rep. Your job
is not to 'get along' as this can lead to compromises that should not
be reached. Your job is to represent faculty members in the manner
befitting the contract and the union member’s wishes ... Why
haven’t grievances been filed? Because
the rank and file membership feels you are too 'chummy' with
administrators and would not be a strong advocate on their behalf.
This misrepresents what Diann (the grievance rep) actually said: she was encouraging unity among the faculty. Grievances have, in fact, been filed. Moreover, faculty only have themselves to blame if the administration violated the contract in ways which affect them and they've failed to approach Diann because they assume she's too “chummy” with administrators. Many faculty members have, in fact, gone to Diann for assistance and feel that she was very supportive.
This misrepresents what Diann (the grievance rep) actually said: she was encouraging unity among the faculty. Grievances have, in fact, been filed. Moreover, faculty only have themselves to blame if the administration violated the contract in ways which affect them and they've failed to approach Diann because they assume she's too “chummy” with administrators. Many faculty members have, in fact, gone to Diann for assistance and feel that she was very supportive.
Student
Concern:
For any
potential students considering attending SCC . . . save your money,
time and a lot of headaches and find another secondary education
institution ... The campus is rife with misinformation, poor planning
and program accreditation questions. Zero leadership and plenty of
lies. Walk the halls, talk to people if you can find them, and you
will discover why nobody's around.
Although I respect this student's opinion, I think it's been influenced far more by the rhetoric of the “radical fringe” than the reality of what's happening at SCC. We have real problems, which I summarize in my comments below. But SCC remains a strong institution with faculty, staff and administrators who are committed to the success of students.
Although I respect this student's opinion, I think it's been influenced far more by the rhetoric of the “radical fringe” than the reality of what's happening at SCC. We have real problems, which I summarize in my comments below. But SCC remains a strong institution with faculty, staff and administrators who are committed to the success of students.
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